2. Overview of Listing and Ranking Approaches for New and Emerging Invasive Plants Randy G. Westbrooks U.S. Geological Survey Whiteville, North Carolina

3. Overview of Listing and Ranking Systems Regulatory Listing Systems Regulatory Listing Systems Prohibited Listing System (APHIS) Prohibited Listing System (APHIS) Permitted Listing System (AUS, NZ) Permitted Listing System (AUS, NZ) Mandatory Prohibited Listing System (Proposed) Mandatory Prohibited Listing System (Proposed) Non-Regulatory Weed Ranking Systems for Land Managers Non-Regulatory Weed Ranking Systems for Land Managers NZ Weed Ranking System NZ Weed Ranking System NatureServe Weed Ranking System NatureServe Weed Ranking System Invasive Species – Code of Conduct for Nursery Professionals and the Gardening Public Invasive Species – Code of Conduct for Nursery Professionals and the Gardening Public

4. APHIS Pest Risk Assessment Stage 1 - Initiate the PRA Stage 1 - Initiate the PRA Stage 2 - Determine Economic and Environmental Importance Stage 2 - Determine Economic and Environmental Importance Stage 3 - Determine Likelihood of Introduction into the U.S. Stage 3 - Determine Likelihood of Introduction into the U.S. Stage 4 - Determine Pest Risk Potential Stage 4 - Determine Pest Risk Potential

5. Stage 1 - Initiate the PRA Process (Eight Steps) Step 1 - Document Initiating Events for the PRA Step 1 - Document Initiating Events for the PRA Step 2 - Identify Previous Assessments Step 2 - Identify Previous Assessments Step 3 - Establish Identify of the Weed Step 3 - Establish Identify of the Weed Step 4 - Gather General Information Step 4 - Gather General Information BV - Cultivated in Asia as sand binder BV - Cultivated in Asia as sand binder Reproduces by seeds and vegetative fragments Reproduces by seeds and vegetative fragments Used as medicinal herb in Japan, China, Korea Used as medicinal herb in Japan, China, Korea Viable seeds and stem fragments spread by ocean currents in Japan Viable seeds and stem fragments spread by ocean currents in Japan Step 5 - Determine Preferred Habitat and Climatic Zones Step 5 - Determine Preferred Habitat and Climatic Zones Forms low thickets on dunes in S. Japan Forms low thickets on dunes in S. Japan Occurs on 48% of coastal dunes in Korea Occurs on 48% of coastal dunes in Korea Coastal dry grasslands on sandy coastlines in HI Coastal dry grasslands on sandy coastlines in HI Beach Vitex (Vitex rotundifolia)

6. Stage 1 - Initiate the PRA Process Step 6 - Determine the Native Range Step 6 - Determine the Native Range China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Mauritius (Indian Ocean) China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Mauritius (Indian Ocean) Malaysia, Philippines, Polynesia, Australia, Pacific Islands, Hawaii Malaysia, Philippines, Polynesia, Australia, Pacific Islands, Hawaii Step 7 - Determine Introduced Range Step 7 - Determine Introduced Range South Carolina (71 Sites), North Carolina, Alabama (2 Sites) South Carolina (71 Sites), North Carolina, Alabama (2 Sites) Step 8 - Determine Quarantine Status Step 8 - Determine Quarantine Status Introduction – (1980s) Introduction – (1980s) Regulatory Status ( Not Currently Regulated) Regulatory Status ( Not Currently Regulated) Percentage of Ecological Range Occupied (Low) Percentage of Ecological Range Occupied (Low) Ongoing Official Control Efforts ( SC/NC Beach Vitex Task Force) Ongoing Official Control Efforts ( SC/NC Beach Vitex Task Force)

7. Stage 2 - Determine Economic and Environmental Importance Step 1 - Determine Habitat Suitability in Protected Area Step 1 - Determine Habitat Suitability in Protected Area Occurs North to Japan and Korea (40 0 N) Occurs North to Japan and Korea (40 0 N) Occurs South to Australia (36 0 S) Occurs South to Australia (36 0 S) Suitable Climate and Habitats in U.S. Suitable Climate and Habitats in U.S. 1/3 - 2/3 of Coastal Zones in the U.S. 1/3 - 2/3 of Coastal Zones in the U.S. VA to FL, West to TX VA to FL, West to TX CA CA Score: Medium (2) Score: Medium (2) Step 2 - Determine Characteristics of Invasiveness Step 2 - Determine Characteristics of Invasiveness Forms Monoculture, Crowds out Natives Forms Monoculture, Crowds out Natives Seed Production - up to 10,921 Seeds/m 2 /YR Seed Production - up to 10,921 Seeds/m 2 /YR Growth Rate in SC - BV Runners - 1.8 m/YR (74 In.) Growth Rate in SC - BV Runners - 1.8 m/YR (74 In.) Soils Underneath Plant - Hydrophobic Soils Underneath Plant - Hydrophobic 2-10% of Light Penetrates BV Canopy 2-10% of Light Penetrates BV Canopy Roots Release Toxic Compounds Roots Release Toxic Compounds Wind and Salt Spray Tolerant Wind and Salt Spray Tolerant Score: High (3) Score: High (3)

8. Stage 2 - Determine Economic and Environmental Importance Step 3 - Determine Potential for Spread After Establishment Step 3 - Determine Potential for Spread After Establishment As an Ornamental, BV has Potential for Spread Throughout Southeastern Coastal Areas As an Ornamental, BV has Potential for Spread Throughout Southeastern Coastal Areas As a Free Living Plant, BV Seeds and Stem Fragments are Spread Along Beaches by Waves and Near Shore Currents As a Free Living Plant, BV Seeds and Stem Fragments are Spread Along Beaches by Waves and Near Shore Currents Score: High (3) Score: High (3) Step 4 - Determine Economic Impact Step 4 - Determine Economic Impact Reduced Crop Yield - N/A Reduced Crop Yield - N/A Lowering of Commodity Value Lowering of Commodity Value Reduced Value of Ocean Front Properties Reduced Value of Ocean Front Properties Loss of Markets Loss of Markets Impact on Real Estates Markets for Ocean Front Properties Impact on Real Estates Markets for Ocean Front Properties Score: Medium (2) Score: Medium (2)

9. Stage 2 - Determine Economic and Environmental Importance Step 5 - Determine Environmental Impacts Step 5 - Determine Environmental Impacts Forms Monocultures - Crowding out Natives Forms Monocultures - Crowding out Natives Accounted for 84% of Stems in BV Colonies Accounted for 84% of Stems in BV Colonies Degrades Sea Turtle Nesting Habitat Degrades Sea Turtle Nesting Habitat Will Impede Nesting Will Impede Nesting Will Impede Hatchling Emergence and Movement to Ocean Will Impede Hatchling Emergence and Movement to Ocean Tight Leaf Canopy Prevents Deposit of Windblown Sand Tight Leaf Canopy Prevents Deposit of Windblown Sand Score: High (3) Score: High (3) Step 6 - Determine Local and State Interest in Control Step 6 - Determine Local and State Interest in Control Phase 1 - Seedling Removal by Volunteers Phase 1 - Seedling Removal by Volunteers Phase 2 - Land Owner Cost Share Program through FWS Phase 2 - Land Owner Cost Share Program through FWS

10. Stage 2 - Economic and Environmental Importance Summary ( Consequences of Introduction) Habitat Suitability: Medium (2) Habitat Suitability: Medium (2) Spread Potential: High (3) Spread Potential: High (3) Economic Impact: Medium (2) Economic Impact: Medium (2) Environmental Impacts: High (3) Environmental Impacts: High (3) CUMULATIVE SCORE: Medium-High (10/12) CUMULATIVE SCORE: Medium-High (10/12)

11. Stage 3 - Determine Likelihood of Introduction 100% - Intentionally Introduced in the 1980s 100% - Intentionally Introduced in the 1980s Score: High (3) Score: High (3)

12. Stage 4 - Determine Pest Risk Potential Likelihood of Introduction = High (3) Likelihood of Introduction = High (3) Consequences of Introduction = Medium (2) Consequences of Introduction = Medium (2) Overall Pest Risk Potential = Medium-High Overall Pest Risk Potential = Medium-High Additional Factors Additional Factors Occupies Small Percentage of Potential Range Occupies Small Percentage of Potential Range Can be Eradicated with Public Cooperation Can be Eradicated with Public Cooperation

13. Beach Vitex - A Successful Invader on the Carolina Coast Arrival Arrival Intentionally Introduced from Korea Intentionally Introduced from Korea Establishment Establishment Actively Growing Plants on 70+ Sites in SC (10+ Years Old) Actively Growing Plants on 70+ Sites in SC (10+ Years Old) Ability to Spread Ability to Spread Spreads to adjacent properties by vegetative runners Spreads to adjacent properties by vegetative runners Seeds and stem fragments spread along beach by waves Seeds and stem fragments spread along beach by waves Spread to undeveloped island by ocean currents (North Island) Spread to undeveloped island by ocean currents (North Island)

14. Preliminary Recommendations Search for Additional Funding for Task Force Activities Search for Additional Funding for Task Force Activities Submit PRA to USDA APHIS and Clemson University for Listing as a Federal Noxious Weed and a State Noxious Weed Submit PRA to USDA APHIS and Clemson University for Listing as a Federal Noxious Weed and a State Noxious Weed Determine Extent of Infestations in North Carolina - Submit PRA to NCDA for Listing as NC State Noxious Weed Determine Extent of Infestations in North Carolina - Submit PRA to NCDA for Listing as NC State Noxious Weed Establish Land Owner Cost Share Removal Program through FWS Partners for Wildlife Program Establish Land Owner Cost Share Removal Program through FWS Partners for Wildlife Program

15. Australian Weed Risk Assessment System Developer: Paul Pheloung, 1995 Developer: Paul Pheloung, 1995 49 Questions (N=-1 to 1; Y=1-2) 49 Questions (N=-1 to 1; Y=1-2) History/Biogeography History/Biogeography Section 1 – Cultivation Status Section 1 – Cultivation Status Section 2 – Climate Suitability Section 2 – Climate Suitability Section 3 – Weed Elsewhere Section 3 – Weed Elsewhere Biology/Ecology Biology/Ecology Section 4 – Undesirable Traits Section 4 – Undesirable Traits Section 5 – Plant Type (Aquatics Mostly Rejected) (Y=5) Section 5 – Plant Type (Aquatics Mostly Rejected) (Y=5) Section 6 – Reproduction Section 6 – Reproduction Section 7 – Dispersal Mechanisms Section 7 – Dispersal Mechanisms Section 8 – Persistence Attributes Section 8 – Persistence Attributes Assessment Outcome Assessment Outcome <1 = Accept for Importation <1 = Accept for Importation 1-6 = Further Evaluation 1-6 = Further Evaluation >6 = Reject Entry >6 = Reject Entry

16. NZ Weed Ranking System Susan Timmins, Department of Conservation, 2000 Susan Timmins, Department of Conservation, 2000 39 Questions 39 Questions Section A – Invasiveness Traits Section A – Invasiveness Traits History of Invasiveness, Reproduction, Dispersal, Dormancy History of Invasiveness, Reproduction, Dispersal, Dormancy Section B – Impacts Section B – Impacts Desirable Species, Commodities, Services, Smothering Monocultures, Health, Erosion, Fire Regimes, Hydrological Cycles Desirable Species, Commodities, Services, Smothering Monocultures, Health, Erosion, Fire Regimes, Hydrological Cycles Section C – Potential Spread Section C – Potential Spread Current Status (Single Small, Many Large), Spread Rate, Current Status (Single Small, Many Large), Spread Rate, Priority Weed Status – (Can be Eradicated?) Priority Weed Status – (Can be Eradicated?) Final Score Final Score Most Weeds: (A+B+C) Most Weeds: (A+B+C) Priority Weeds: (A+B+C)(1.1) Priority Weeds: (A+B+C)(1.1)

17. NatureServe Weed Ranking System Qualifying Questions Qualifying Questions Established outside cultivation in region of concern? Established outside cultivation in region of concern? Occurs in conservation areas? Occurs in conservation areas? Ecological Impacts (5 Questions, 50% of I-Rank Score) Ecological Impacts (5 Questions, 50% of I-Rank Score) Impact on abiotic ecosystem processes (33 pts) Impact on abiotic ecosystem processes (33 pts) Impact on community structure (18 pts) Impact on community structure (18 pts) Impact on community composition (18 pts) Impact on community composition (18 pts) Impact on individual native plants or animals (9 pts) Impact on individual native plants or animals (9 pts) Conservation significance of threatened native species (18 pts) Conservation significance of threatened native species (18 pts) Current Distribution and Abundance (4 Questions, 25% of I-Rank Score) Current Distribution and Abundance (4 Questions, 25% of I-Rank Score) Current range size in region (15 pts) Current range size in region (15 pts) Proportion of current range negatively impacted (15 pts) Proportion of current range negatively impacted (15 pts) Proportion of region’s biogeographic units invaded (3 pts) Proportion of region’s biogeographic units invaded (3 pts) Diversity of habitats or ecosystem system invaded (3 pts) Diversity of habitats or ecosystem system invaded (3 pts)

18. NatureServe Weed Ranking System Trend in Distribution and Abundance (7 Questions – 15% of I-Rank Score) Trend in Distribution and Abundance (7 Questions – 15% of I-Rank Score) Current Trend in total range within the region (18 pts) Current Trend in total range within the region (18 pts) Proportion of potential range currently occupied (15 pts) Proportion of potential range currently occupied (15 pts) Long distance dispersal potential within the region (9 pts) Long distance dispersal potential within the region (9 pts) Local range expansion or change in abundance (18 pts) Local range expansion or change in abundance (18 pts) Inherent ability to invade conservation areas (6 pts) Inherent ability to invade conservation areas (6 pts) Similar habitats invaded elsewhere (9 pts) Similar habitats invaded elsewhere (9 pts) Reproductive characteristics (9 pts) Reproductive characteristics (9 pts) Management Difficulty (4 Questions – 10% of I-Rank Score) Management Difficulty (4 Questions – 10% of I-Rank Score) General management difficulty (18 pts) General management difficulty (18 pts) Minimum time commitment (15 pts) Minimum time commitment (15 pts) Impacts of management on native species (15 pts) Impacts of management on native species (15 pts) Accessibility of invaded areas (3 pts) Accessibility of invaded areas (3 pts)

19. NatureServe Weed Ranking System Invasiveness Sub-Rankings Invasiveness Sub-Rankings I. Ecological Impacts (50% of Final Score) I. Ecological Impacts (50% of Final Score) II. Current Distribution & Abundance (25%) II. Current Distribution & Abundance (25%) III. Trend in Distribution & Abundance (15%) III. Trend in Distribution & Abundance (15%) IV. Management Difficulty (10%) IV. Management Difficulty (10%) Invasiveness Impact Ranking Invasiveness Impact Ranking 76-100: High 76-100: High 51-75: Medium 51-75: Medium 26-50: Low 26-50: Low 0-25: Insignificant 0-25: Insignificant

20. NatureServe Test Case Summaries Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) Impact: Low; Distribution: High; Trend: High/Medium; Management: Medium; I-Rank: Medium Impact: Low; Distribution: High; Trend: High/Medium; Management: Medium; I-Rank: Medium Camel Thorn (Alhagi maurorum) Camel Thorn (Alhagi maurorum) Impact: Low; Distribution: Low; Trend: High/Medium; Management: Medium/Low; I-Rank: Low Impact: Low; Distribution: Low; Trend: High/Medium; Management: Medium/Low; I-Rank: Low Kudzu (Pueraria montana) Kudzu (Pueraria montana) Impact: Medium; Distribution: High; Trend: Medium; Management: Medium/Low; I-Rank: Medium Impact: Medium; Distribution: High; Trend: Medium; Management: Medium/Low; I-Rank: Medium

21. Mandatory Pre-Screening/Prohibited Listing Approach Pre-screen all New Species Proposed for Importation Pre-screen all New Species Proposed for Importation Official National List of Plants and Animals Official National List of Plants and Animals Native, Cultivated Exotics, Free Living Exotics Native, Cultivated Exotics, Free Living Exotics Include Species Found to be Invasive on Prohibited List Include Species Found to be Invasive on Prohibited List Maintain Informal Permitted List Maintain Informal Permitted List

22. -Biological Protection Ethic- Codes of Conduct for Nursery Professionals and Gardeners Phase out existing stocks of regionally invasive species. Phase out existing stocks of regionally invasive species. Purchase and promote non-invasive, environmentally safe species. Purchase and promote non-invasive, environmentally safe species. Remove invasive species from your land and replace them with non-invasive species suited to site conditions and usage. Remove invasive species from your land and replace them with non-invasive species suited to site conditions and usage. Work with neighbors or volunteers at botanical gardens and natural areas to eliminate populations of invasive plants. Work with neighbors or volunteers at botanical gardens and natural areas to eliminate populations of invasive plants.