The state of play in invasive species policy: Insights from invasive species laws and regulations in 21 US states

Despite knowing the threats posed by biological invasions, governments struggle to effectively prevent and control invasive species. To mitigate the negative impacts of invasive species, a coordinated response, grounded in the best available science and attentive to the dynamics of policymaking, is critical. To evaluate patterns in state policies, we conducted a comprehensive survey of invasion-related laws and regulations in 21 eastern US states. We identified 706 policy chapters and found that most were enacted after 1970. The policies on terrestrial invasions outnumbered those for aquatic habitats, although the states farther east generally had a higher proportion of aquatic policies. Across all of the chapters, we identified 1200 unique species, 523 of which are listed as introduced or invasive. The state policies were inconsistent in which invasive species they name, especially for invertebrate taxa. Our conclusions indicate that effective, coordinated actions on invasives require improving communication, collaboration, and data sharing within and across domains.