Prioritizing terrestrial invasive species threats in Minnesota

To determine which pests posed immediate threats, MITPPC undertook an expansive evaluation process. It convened 15 expert panelists, who initially identified 124 significant invasive species threatening our state. This panel also identified 17 criteria that could be used to rate species in an objective, computerized ranking system. Criteria included factors like environmental and economic impact, ability to establish and spread and proximity to the state. The top 15 most highly rated pests in each category – invertebrates, pathogens, and plants – are the species on which research can be funded through our Request for Proposal process. Rankings are updated regularly, no later than every other year or as new threats emerge on a more urgent basis. 
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The full white paper, "Minnesota's Top Terrestrial Invasive Plants and Pests for Research: An Expanded Prioritization," outlines all prioritization methods and results. (NOTE: the species prioritization list and white paper has been updated as of January 2020 to reflect new information.)

In effort to be responsive to new and emerging terrestrial invasive species, we conduct a biennial species prioritization process, which includes input from stakeholders. The results of this process inform our requests for research proposals. If you would like to submit a new species for evaluation, we will have a survey available in the coming days. 

Researchers at the Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center evaluate species of concern based on 17 criteria, including proximity to Minnesota, likelihood of causing harm, presence of hosts, and others. You can see the species MITPPC has already evaluated in this spreadsheet. Click on the link on each species' scientific name to see the evaluation form (for example, hybrid barberry). 

If you wish to comment on the evaluations of these species, please fill out this form -- coming soon.