Criteria for Listing Invasive Plants1

Abstract

Abstract The Weed List Criteria Workshop consisted of four invited speakers and an animated discussion about the value of developing a standardized criteria system for developing lists of invasive plants. The presentations addressed the importance of having lists and criteria that are sufficiently robust to withstand legal challenges, the sophistication of a national prioritization system, some alternative strategies to the use of “one-size-fits-all” invasive plant lists, and the variety of lists that are already in use. Participants agreed that a standardized criteria system might need a modular format (e.g., agriculture or natural areas modules) with options for different thresholds for some criteria (e.g., rigor of documentation) to satisfy diverse listing objectives. Many participants expressed interest in future participation in this endeavor. Additional index words: List standardization, status assessment, weed lists.