Invasive Plants

Priority Lists

Some municipalities, regional districts, and other agencies maintain priority plant species lists to help make effective management decisions. For example, species that are particularity aggressive or pose a public health risk may be prioritized. There may also be local, environmental, economic, safety, social, political or logistical concerns that are used to prioritize species. Particular sites or areas may also be higher priority for management than others. Management actions are further determined based on these priorities and depending on available resources and treatment methods.

Due to a large number of jurisdictions, existing management programs and localized species lists in the Metro Vancouver region, the ISCMV has developed a risk ranking tool for invasive plants that can aid land managers in management decisions and species prioritization. The tool is repeatable, tailored to the region and designed to identify the risk of priority species in Metro Vancouver. It considers a number of characteristics and factors for each species. Plants are scored and the results presented as a percentage for comparison to other plants. This tool does not account for abundance of species nor does it place species into management categories.

 

Invasive plant species are also prioritized at a Provincial scale using a science-based risk assessment process. The following provincial resources for priortizing invasive species are available:

• Priority Invasive Species in B.C. list
• B.C. Weed Control Act & Regulation designate provincial noxious weeds, regionally noxious weeds (none in the Metro Vancouver region) and additional unregulated plants of concern.
• B.C. Invasive Plant Candidates for Eradication are candidates for the B.C. Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) Program. These species are either not present in B.C. or limited in population. The following EDRR candidates are found in Metro Vancouver: water lettuce (NEW), mouse ear hawkweed, North African grass, Spartina species, shiny geranium (NEW - to be confirmed), yellow floating heart, Brazilian elodea, Dyer's woad, Phragmites. The status of management of these plants under the EDRR process is available here.
• B.C. Invasive Plant Core Ranking Process is a tool that can help land managers make invasive plant management decisions. The intent of the tool is to assist land managers in the identification of invasive plants that should be actively managed, and invasive plants that should be watched. The tool can be used for large management areas OR local management areas.

Best Management Practices

Practictioners and residents can refer to regional best management practice guides (BMPs) for information on indentification and removal of invasive species. For more information, see our posted list of Best Management Practice guides.

Priority Plant Profiles

Profiles for a selection of high priority regional plant species can be found below.