IPANE Evaluation of Species

The IPANE program uses a set of evaluation criteria to determine which species it tracks in New England. These criteria are similar to ones used by the Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group (CIPWG) and the Massachusetts Invasive Plant Advisory Group (MIPAG) to identify invasive and potentially invasive plants. The IPANE list of species differs from state lists because it considers the entire New England region. Only biological criteria are used in choosing which species to track; economic information is not used as a criterion for inclusion on the IPANE list. The IPANE list also uses fewer criteria for including species than other lists due a strong emphasis on early detection of potentially invasive species and early detection of invasive species in new regions. Another important difference between the individual state lists and the IPANE list is that the IPANE list has no legal status. It is used to guide IPANE data collection, research and education efforts. IPANE data are also available for any state to use in its official species evaluations process.

IPANE criteria for inclusion in tracking distribution and in the catalog of species:

1. The species is not native to the New England states according to standard references on the New England flora. (In some cases a species' native range may be unclear or include part of New England).

2. The species is or has the potential to become naturalized in one or more of the New England states.

3. The species is or has the potential to establish in minimally managed habitats.

4. The species does or has the potential to disperse rapidly and widely, and to disperse across spatial gaps.

5. The species does or has the potential to establish large populations in minimally managed habitats, becoming dominant or disruptive.

6. The species may be classified as invasive in other areas of its naturalized range (outside of New England).