Early Detection Watch List of Nonnative Invasive Species of
Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems - June 2008
Compiled by the
USDA Forest Service Regional Task Force for
the Assessment of Nonnative Invasive Species of Southern Forests
List Purpose
Prevention of entry and Early Detection and Rapid Response (to eradicate) are the most cost effective means to stop invasions before they get started. The listed species are recognized as severe potential threats to Southern Forests and Grassland Ecosystems as determined by reliable lists and databases. The invasive species listed are not currently in the Southern Region or only present in very limited occurrence. Vigilance will be required to prevent and detect their entrance and to stop the spread of existing populations. Early Detection and Rapid Response networks at the regional and State levels are critically needed to effectively detect entrance and spread followed by organized cooperative eradication and containment programs and strategies.
Imminent Threats Currently In The Eastern United States
In Continental United States but not in the Eastern United States
| Subject Name | Scientific Name | Type | Federally Listed |
|---|---|---|---|
| sudden oak death (in CA, WA, and OR) | Phytophthora ramorum | Fungi | |
| sticky snakeroot (in CA and Hawaii) | Ageratina adenophora | Plants - Forbs | Yes |
| three-cornered jack (in CA) | Emex australis | Plants - Forbs | Yes |
| pickerel weed (in CA and Hawaii) | Monochoria vaginalis | Plants - Forbs | |
| kikuyugrass (in CA, PR, Virgin Islands and Hawaii) | Pennisetum clandestinum | Plants - Forbs | Yes |
Not In The Continental United States
Data Sources
The June 2008 version was developed through study and compilation from existing lists and databases. Selected for listing were those species that pose threats to Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems. The source lists and databases were the Global Invasive Species Database, USDA NRS PLANTS Database, the Federal Noxious Weed List, the Lacy Act Prohibited List of Injurious Wildlife, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service website database, NatureServe's U.S. Invasive Species Impact Rank (I-Rank), the North American Forest Commission's ExFor Risk Assessments, the University of Georgia's Bugwood Network's web database, The National Agricultural Pest Information System's Pest Tracker, and the US Geological Survey's Nonindigenous Aquatic Species web database. Plant names are according to PLANTS Database. This list will be updated as other invasive species are identified as potential threats.
Contacts
For more information, submission of review comments, and for reporting new and potential invasives of the Southern Region please contact Alix Cleveland, Southern Region NNIS Coordinator, John Taylor, Integrated Pest Management Specialist, or James H. Miller, Research Invasive Species Ecologist. OR any member of the Task Force.