Categorized Invasive Species of Nebraska

Using the Categories below, the Nebraska Invasive Species Council has developed a list of invasive plants for Nebraska. This list include species that have been known to be invasive in at least one habitat type. Some species may not show invasive tendencies in other habitats. These lists are advisory in nature; they are provided as an educational tool and are not intended, alone, to dictate management actions or for regulatory action.

We welcome comments/suggestions. Please refer all comments regarding this document to: Karie Decker, Coordinator Nebraska Invasive Species Project. 909 Hardin Hall, University of Nebraska, Lincoln NE, 68583. invasives@unl.edu, tel: 402-472-3133.

To learn more about each of the categories and how they were developed, Click Here:

Plant Species or Aquatic Species

Category 1:
Potential Future Invasive Species

Definition:
Demonstrated invasive species that are not yet in Nebraska but which have the potential to arrive within the next few years.  Risk assessment analyses for these species should be conducted and early detection/rapid response plans should be implemented for those shown to present the highest risk.

Strategies for dealing with these species:

• Risk assessments should be conducted.

• Species should be prioritized based on those risk assessments and listed by the habitat types and geographic areas most likely to be invaded.

• Highest risk species should have early detection/rapid response plans developed and/or should have task forces assembled to deal with them when and if they arrive in the state.

Category 2:
Priority Invasive Species

Definition:
Demonstrated invasive species for which eradication is still feasible.

Strategies for dealing with these species:

• Implement rapid response plan if one is in place.

• Immediate action should be to inventory and map occurrences near the initial infestation(s) and in other likely areas.

• A coordinated control effort should be implemented immediately by the landowner, appropriate local governmental officials and other appropriate parties.

• Quarantines or other similar actions should be taken if appropriate and necessary.

• Information should be provided to media outlets by the Nebraska Invasive Species Council to help landowners and the general public identify and report occurrences of the invader and to provide suggestions as to the actions those individuals should/should not take.

Category 3:
Established Invasive Species

Definition:
Demonstrated invasive species that are well-enough established in the state that eradication is not likely.  These species need to be controlled where feasible, and contained as much as possible to avoid further/larger infestations.

 Strategies for dealing with these species:

• A list of these species should be made widely available to the public and should categorize species by habitat type and geographic area where they are most likely to occur.

• Control and containment techniques should be provided for as many of these species as possible to landowners, land managers, and others.

• Nurseries, gardeners, and/or other potential vectors of spread for these species should be specifically targeted with information on the identification, natural history, risk, and control strategies for these species.

Noxious Weeds:

Please refer to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture:

The term "noxious" means to be harmful or destructive, and is the legal term used to denote a destructive or harmful pest for the purpose of regulation. When a specific pest is determined to pose a serious threat to the economic, social, or aesthetic well-being of the residents of the state, it may be declared noxious by the Director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.

Noxious weeds compete with pasture and crops, reducing yields substantially. Some noxious weeds are poisonous or injurious to man, livestock, and wildlife. The losses resulting from noxious weed infestations can be staggering, costing residents millions of dollars due to lost production. This not only directly affects the landowner, but erodes the tax base for all residents of the state. The business of noxious weed control is everyone's concerns, and their control is to everyone's benefit. The support of all individuals within the state is needed and vital for the control of noxious weeds within Nebraska.