Biosecurity Surveillance: Quantitative Approaches

Abstract

Biosecurity surveillance plays a vital role in protection against the introduction and spread of unwanted plants and animals. It involves not just collecting relevant information, but also analysing this information. This book focuses on methods for quantitative analysis of biosecurity surveillance data, where these data might arise from observations, sensors, remote imaging, expert opinion and so on. As emphasized in the Introduction, there is a need for exposition of these methods in the context of real world problems. The book, which is structured in three parts, is therefore focused on the practical application of quantitative methods for biosecurity surveillance. Part I presents the concepts for biosecurity surveillance; Part II discusses information for biosecurity surveillance; and Part III explores statistical modelling methods for designing biosecurity surveillance. Part I supports the later parts of the book, by providing a foundation for describing the statistical modelling methods presented, as well as placing later chapters in the broader international context. The chapters in Parts II and III describe methods and supporting case studies that demonstrate and/or implement the techniques, tools and methods described. It is anticipated that the book will be a resource for researchers and students in this field and in related disciplines, as well as practitioners who are engaged in the practice of biosecurity surveillance.