Research Summary: Northern Exposure - a dirty (two) dozen high-impact invasive plants headed our way

This research summary highlights more original research from the RISCC team. Rockwell-Postel et al. (2020) evaluated impacts of range-shifting invasive plants for New York and southern New England states. Now, Coville et al. (2021) have done the same for northern New England states. 

Coville, W., Griffin, B.J. and Bradley, B.A., Identifying high-impact invasive plants likely to shift into northern New England with climate change. Invasive Plant Science and Management, 2021

Summary

Invasive species expanding their ranges northward with climate warming will pose a major management challenge to the northeast. Working proactively to identify, monitor, and regulate these species will be most effective for minimizing future ecological and economic impacts. However, with hundreds of species to choose from, prioritization is needed. Coville et al. (2021) evaluated 87 species not currently present in northern New England (Vermont, New Hampshire, or Maine) but likely to expand there before mid-century. Using the Environmental Impact Classification of Alien Taxa (EICAT) assessment, they identified 24 species with reported impacts on ecological communities (e.g., causing a decline in the populations of multiple native species or in native diversity). Almost all (22) of these species are known to affect ecosystems found in the northeast.

Take home points

  • Coville et al. (2021) provide a prioritized watchlist of high-impact, range-shifting invasive plants (check out Table 1).

  • Combined with Rockwell-Postel et al. (2020), there is now a comprehensive assessment of range-shifting invasive plants for New York and New England states.

Management implications

  • Many of the species projected to expand into northern New England are already emerging farther south. Thus, Coville et al.’s high-impact species may be an imminent risk in southern New England and the tri-state area.

  • High priority species from Rockwell-Postel et al. and Coville et al. are a good place for state invasive plant councils to start when evaluating species for proactive regulation. They are also species worth learning about and prioritizing for early detection and rapid response.

Keywords

Impact studies, Range expansion; Environmental Impact Classification of Alien Taxa