Priority Invasives
Invasive Species Prioritization
WNY PRISM invasive species priority lists were developed by our Terrestrial and Aquatic Working Groups. Over the years the prioritization process has changed, but the involvement of partners in the effort remains the same.
Working Groups communicate through in-person meetings, conference calls/webinars and email. If you are interested in being part of our Working Groups, please contact Andrea Locke, WNY PRISM Coordinator at lockeas@buffalostate.edu.
Invasive Species Prioritization Tiers
The New York State Invasive Species Program has developed a tiered ranking system for invasive species, to provide management and prioritization assistance. WNY PRISM completed a review of species rankings in March 2021 and has developed new or updated rankings for 146 species (available here). WNY PRISM will continue to work through the process of updating existing tier rankings and ranking additional species as new information becomes available.
NYS Invasive Species Tiered Ranking Chart
In addition to tier rankings, WNY PRISM maintains approaching region/watchlist (Tier 1) and early detection (Tier 2) priority species lists, to further assist with prioritizing management efforts.
Early Detection Priorities
| 1. Ampelopsis brevipendunculata | Porcelain Berry |
| 2. Aralia elata | Japanese Angelica Tree |
| 3. Brachypodium sylvaticum | Slender False Brome |
| 4. Cytisus scoparius | Scotch Broom |
| 5. Eichhornia crassipes | Water Hyacinth |
| 6. Microstegium vimineum | Japanese Stiltgrass |
| 7. Nymphoides peltata | Yellow Floating Heart |
| 8. Persicaria perfoliata | Mile-a-Minute |
| 9. Pistia stratiotes | Water Lettuce |
Approaching Region Priorities
| 1. Aldrovanda vesiculosa | Waterwheel |
| 2. Anoplophora glabripennis | Asian Longhorned Beetle |
| 3. Channa argus | Northern Snakehead |
| 4. Galega officinalis | Goatsrue |
| 5. Hypophthalmichthys molitrix | Silver Carp |
| 6. Hypophthalmichthys nobilis | Bighead Carp |
| 7. Impatiens glandulifera | Himalayan Balsam |
| 8. Lycorma delicatula | Spotted Lanternfly |
| 9. Oplismenus undulatifolius | Wavyleaf Basket Grass |
Data Gap Species Priorities
| 1. Adelges tsugae | Hemlock Woolly Adelgid |
| 2. Ailanthus altissima | Tree of Heaven |
| 3. Euphrobia esula | Leafy Spurge |
| 4. Lonicera japonica | Japanese Honeysuckle |
| 5. Pyrus calleryana | Callery (Bradford) Pear |
