Sensitivity analysis
The impact of the expert-designated criteria weights on overall risk scores for each pathogen was examined by calculating Spearman correlation coefficients (Table 4). All of the most impactful criteria weights had a positive correlation with overall risk scores, meaning that an increase in the criteria weighting produced an increase in the overall risk score. The “host species” criteria was identified as the most impactful in the highest number of pathogens (nine pathogens). The “likelihood of transfer” and “current distribution in Minnesota” were impactful for two pathogens each, whereas the “economic impact if established” and “likelihood of colonization” were most impactful for one pathogen each.