UF/IFAS Assessment and the prevention of biological invasions in Florida’s natural areas

Abstract

Florida is simultaneously one of the most biodiverse and vulnerable areas in the United States. Having 30+ points of entry, hundreds of millions of visitors per year, and tropical to subtropical climates, Florida has at least 1,400 non-native plant species. To help protect natural and agricultural areas from invasive species, the UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-native Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas uses literature and expert-based assessment tools to evaluate invasion risk of non-native plant species in Florida and throughout the Southeast US. We use multiple tools to assess invasion risk of non-native species that occur in the state, new species proposed for introduction, and novel agricultural and horticultural cultivars. Through our website (http://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/), we provide the latest descriptions, categorizations, and recommended uses of non-native plants in Florida. As of 2026, we have assessed 1000+ species and identified 400+ high-risk, invasive, or prohibited plants. We also collaborate with external partners in recommending species to the state noxious weed list, which would legally prohibit their sale and encourage removal from landscapes. However, our efforts depend on interested stakeholders, who suggest new species for assessment and provide insight into the invasion status of species currently in the state. Therefore, we ask others to join our efforts in combatting the threat of invasive plants in Florida and elsewhere. Given the continued proliferation of non-native plants within the context of changing climates, such risk assessments programs remain vital to combatting and managing potential invasives before they become a true threat to our natural and agricultural areas.