What is an Invasive Species?

A invasive species is any species that is nonnative to the ecosystem under consideration, and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm, or harm to human health, with the harm significantly outweighing any benefits.

Invasive Species of New York

How do Invasive Species Spread?

What are the impacts of Invasive

Species?

Invasive species can spread in a variety of ways, some of them are natural, but many are human assisted. Invasive species seeds and other materials can get on your gear and move from place to place!
Some other ways invasive can spread are:

• By tagging along on international trade
• Hitchhiking on vehicles (cars, boats, trains, etc.)
• Through storm events and via waterways
• Seeds or propagules attaching to your pets or wild animals

Invasive species affect nearly every aspect of our world and represent one of the greatest known threats to the biodiversity of New York State. Their presence causes or contributes to:

• Habitat loss and degradation
• Loss of native fish, wildlife, and tree species
• Loss of recreational opportunities
• Crop damage and the loss of income
• Diseases in humans and livestock
• Risks to public health and safety

The Invasion Curve and Tier List Defined

The Invasion Curve demonstrates that prevention is the most efficient and cost-effective method of controlling invasive species. As invasive species becomes more established over time, the effort and associated costs of addressing infestations increases significantly. The PRISM has delineated populations into a Tier System that follows the invasion curve. 

Tier list species are also determined using the NYS regulated/prohibited lists here. The New York State Natural Heritage Program has a comprehensive Statewide Tier List that shows the NYS regulatory status and the NYS Invasiveness Rankings. The Statewide, as well as our Regional Tier Lists, can be found using the buttons below.                 

NYS Invasive Species Tiers

Capital Region PRISM Tier List

High Priority Invasive Species Lists

The Capital Region Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (CR-PRISM) created the following lists to identify the highest priority invasive species for monitoring, detection, and response efforts within the Capital Region. All the species contained in these lists are high or very high threat and many are prohibited within the state of New York by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. A few new species that are of concern have been identified and have not been assessed but should be monitored (M) for impacts.

Aquatic High Priority Invasive Species List

Terrestrial High Priority Invasive Species List

Forest Pest High Priority Invasive Species List

Agricultural High Priority Invasive Species List

​Hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension.  Capital Region PRISM