Family: Betulaceae

High Risk Traits:

• Broad Climate Suitability: Thrives in tropical/subtropical climates and diverse soils.
  
• Introduction History: Repeatedly introduced outside its native range.
  
• Naturalized on Molokai
  
• Nitrogen Fixation: Alters soil chemistry, potentially outcompeting natives.
  
• High Seed Output: Produces abundant, wind-dispersed seeds.
  
• Rapid Growth: A fast-growing pioneer species.
  
• Disturbance Tolerant: Recovers well from coppicing or damage.

Low Risk Traits:

• No Invasive History: No evidence of weediness anywhere.
  
• Not a Nuisance: Lacks spines, toxins, and a significant fire hazard.
  
• Palatable: Fodder for livestock, suggesting susceptibility to grazing.
  
• Short-Lived Seeds: Lacks a persistent seed bank.
  
• Limited Dispersal: Seeds only wind-dispersed; not spread by animals or water.
  
• No Vegetative Spread: Does not reproduce from fragmentation.