The strategy of early detection & rapid response to eradicate emerging invasive species can "prevent the next Japanese barberry" and reduce future ecological degradation. Our efforts focus on newly emerging species that have yet to invade widely across New Jersey. Widespread invasive species are excluded from CJISST surveys and eradications.
The Central Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team (CJISST) has evaluated the non-native flora of New Jersey to determine target species. The starting point for CJISST's list was the ranking of non-native plants of New Jersey by David Snyder (NJ State Botanist). Selection of each target species is based upon more recent observations and examination of invasive species lists from regional organizations and neighboring states.
The results indicate 30 widespread invasive species, 71 newly emerging invasive species and 100 non-invasive species.
The target species fall into 5 general categories:- Forest Invasives
- Invasive Vines
- Open Upland Habitat Invasives
- Open Wetland Habitat Invasives
- Open Water Invasives
The following factsheets are available to download. All seventy-one factsheets will be posted upon completion. The complete list of CJISST target species can be found here
Target Species List:
Select a target species to download the pdf version of individual factsheets:
Group 1 - Forest Invasives
- Narrowleaf Bittercress (Cardamine impatiens)
- Five-leaf Aralia (Eleutherococcus seiboldianus)
- Oriental Photinia (Photinia villosa)
- Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus catharica)
- Jetbead (Rhodotypos scandens)
- Linden Viburnum (Viburnum dilatatum)
- Siebold's Viburnum (Viburnum sieboldii)
Group 2 - Invasive Vines
- Five-leaf Akebia (Akebia quinata)
- Porcelainberry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata)
- Japanese Clematis (Celmatis terniflora)
- Black Swallowwort (Cynanchum louiseae)
- English Ivy (Hedera helix)
- Japanese Hops (Humulus japonica)
- Boston Ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata)
- Mile-a-minute Vine (Polygonum perfoliatum)
- Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata)
- Japanese Wistera (Wisteria floribunda)
Group 3 - Open Upland Habitat Invasives
- Japanese Angelica Tree (Aralia elata)
- Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii)
- Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
- Chinese Silver Grass (Miscanthus sinesis)
- Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana)
Group 4 - Open Wetland Habitat Invasives
- European Black Alder (Alnus glutinosa)
- Glossy Buckthorn (Frangula alnus)
- Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus)
Group 5 - Open Water Invasives
Widespread invasive species are excluded from CJISST survey efforts, but the following Factsheets for Widespread Invasive Species are available for reference:- Autumn Olive (Eleagnus umbellata)
- Norway Maple (Acer platanoides)
- Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii)
- Winged Burning Bush (Euonymous alata)
- Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
- Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)
- Japanese Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum)
- Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus)
- Purple Loosestrife (Lythra salicaria)
- Eurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)
- Common Reed (Phragmites australis)
- Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum)
- Curly Pondweed (Potamogeton crispus)
Interactive map of all 2008 - 2009 species data. Includes location and eradication details of 71 emerging plants in central New Jersey.
Melissa Almendinger, Invasive Species Coordinator ∅ Upper Raritan Watershed Association ∅ melissa@urwa.org ∅ Phone: 908.234.1852 ∅ www.urwa.org
Michael Van Clef, PHD, Stewardship Director ∅ Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space ∅ michael@fohvos.org ∅ 609.730.15.60 ∅ www.fohvos.org