Invasive Species in
British Columbia:
Introduction
An Online Course for BC Parks Staff,
Volunteers and Contractors
Welcome!
Course Goal: provide an introduction to invasive species in BC, explore
their impacts, highlight key species for BC Parks regions, and learn how
to report invasive species.
Audience:
• BC Parks staff, volunteers & contractors
• Important eyes “on-the-ground” preventing detecting, and reporting
invasive species
• Know the landscape, can detect invasive species before they spread
- Visitors in parks are vectors of invasive species spread
- Parks can be sites for illegal dumping of yard waste, unwanted pets
Course Objectives
• Provide general information on invasive species and their
characteristics
• Highlight impacts of invasive species with emphasis on Parks
• Examine their main entry pathways
• Focus on specific invasive species for BC Parks regions
• Emphasize prevention, regulations and reporting tools
Course Procedure
• This course contains information, definitions, photos and
regional lists of invasive species in BC
• The course should take about an hour to complete, and you
can move between the slides at your own speed
• There are questions throughout the material to help assess
your progress, and several options to test your learning at the
end of the course, including classroom discussions (if
applicable) and an online survey. Thank you for your interest
in invasive species prevention!
Section 1: Invasive Species:
An Overview
This section of the course outlines some general background on
invasive species:
• Definitions – what is native, non-native and invasive
• General information on invasive species
• Key characteristics – the features that make a species invasive
M. Haffke
Orange Hawkweed
1.1 What is a Native Species?
A native species is one that naturally occurs in an area:
• a plant that has lived and
evolved in a certain place for
a long time, is part of the
natural ecosystem
• are adapted to local
conditions, co-evolved with
other species, predators,
diseases, & climate factors
N.Bakker
Kinnickinnick, a native ground cover plant.
Question:
What are some other terms that are
similar to “invasive species”?
D. Hanna
Daphne
J. Leekie
Butterfly Bush
Non-Native
Alien
Weeds
Exotic
Introduced
1.2 What Are Alien or
Non-Native Species?
• Animals and plants from other
parts of the world that do not
naturally occur in an area, and
were likely brought by humans,
either accidentally or
intentionally. Also known as
"non-native", “introduced” and
"exotic"
• Not evolved as part of the
native ecosystem; no natural
predators or diseases to keep
them in balance
J. Leekie
Dandelion
Non Native but Non-Invasive Species
Not all alien species are invasive:
• many ornamental plants won’t
survive outside of gardens
• tomatoes and wheat are beneficial
food resources
• brown trout and ring-necked
pheasant from Eurasia are prized by
anglers and hunters
• However, others, such as the Asian
long-horned beetle and the gypsy
moth, have destroyed countless
hectares of forest
Wikipedia
Brown Trout
Wikipedia
Ring-necked Pheasant
1.3 What is an Invasive Species?
Invasive species are non-native species that cause social,
economic and/or environmental harm, and can spread rapidly to
new areas, and:
• move into a habitat and
completely out-compete
native vegetation: no
predators and diseases to
keep them under control
• often grow faster (earlier in
the spring) and aggressively
N. Page
Himalayan Knotweed
1.3 What is an Invasive Species?
E.g. Leafy spurge contains a
latex sap that causes blisters to
livestock, humans and wildlife
E.g. Knotweeds grow very
rapidly along bodies of water,
shade out other plants reduce
access for recreational activities,
cause erosion and replace
essential native vegetation in
riparian areas
R. Mueller
Leafy Spurge
L. Scott
Knotweed
Invasive Species are Diverse
There is a wide range of invasive
species, including plants, insects,
fish, mammals and birds in BC:
• Insects (e.g. Asian Gypsy Moth,
European Fire Ant)
• Fish (e.g. Small-mouth Bass and
Yellow Perch)
S. Buaer
European Fire Ant
Wikipedia
Yellow Perch
Invasive Species are Diverse
• Amphibians (E.g. American
Bullfrog)
• Mammals (E.g. Eastern Grey
Squirrel; Nutria)
• Birds (E.g. Starlings)
Wikipedia
Wikipedia
Starling
S. Price
American Bullfrog
Activity
Please define these terms generally and give one example of:
Native Species
Alien or Introduced Species
Invasive Species
BC Parks
DEFINE THESE TERMS
Native Species
Alien or Introduced
Species
Invasive Species
For Review
Some Definitions:
• Native Species: One
that has evolved
naturally in an area,
with no human
intervention
• Alien or Introduced
Species: Does not occur
naturally in an area;
usually brought by
humans either on
purpose or by accident
L. Beattie
Common Tansy removal
For Review
Some Definitions:
• Invasive Species: a species that
disrupts an ecosystem due to the
lack of natural controls such as
predators and diseases
• Noxious Weeds: a plant species
that has been identified in the BC
Weed Control Act and is labeled as
dangerous to crops, animals,
natural habitats and/or humans.
For humans, usually they are nonnative plants that grow rapidly
and cause injury through contact
or ingestion
J. Leekie
Field Scabious
Activity
Try to determine if the following species are:
Native / Non-Native, Non-Invasive / Invasive
Click through slides for the answer!
Lupine
Native
Flowering Cherry Tree
Non-Native, Non-Invasive
Mule Deer
Native
Scotch Broom
Labrador Tea
Native
Smallmouth Bass
Day Lily
Non-Native, Non-Invasive
Yellow Flag Iris
1.4 Some Characteristics of
Invasive Species
There are four main distinguishing
features of invasive plants:
1. prolific seed producers
2. their seeds spread easily
3. they establish quickly
4. they lack natural predators
E. Coombs
Scotch Broom
1. Can be prolific seed
producers/ reproducers:
Some weeds produce thousands
of seeds per plant:
• E.g. Purple loosestrife can
produce over 300, 000 seeds/yr
• E.g. Gorse seeds have a hard coat
and can persist in the soil for 25
to 40 years
• E.g. Zebra mussels can produce
up to 1 million eggs a year.
L. Haugen
Purple Loosestrife
2. Seeds spread easily and effectively
• Hounds-tongue has burrs:
hooked seeds become
attached to animals,
vehicles and clothing
• Diffuse knapweed
produces 18,000 seeds
a year and forms
tumbleweeds
• Leafy spurge seeds float
and remain viable for
years
L. Scott
Hounds-Tongue burrs on hiking boots
3. Can quickly establish and thrive on
disturbed, open ground, spreading and
displacing native plants;
Some plants release toxins in the
soil that prevent other plants
from growing:
• Eg. Spotted knapweed
(toxin - catechin)
Roots or other plant pieces can
sprout new shoots:
• e.g. Tansy ragwort and
Dalmation toadflax will sprout
from roots, root pieces and
crown buds
B. Stewart
Spotted Knapweed
4. Usually lack natural
pathogens or predators:
Don’t have predators or diseases here that control populations
in their countries of origin.
• E.g. Purple loosestrife has over 120 species of insects that
prey on it in its natural habitat. In BC we have bio-control on
Purple loosestrife and it has established well
• E.g. Sulphur cinquefoil and orange hawkweed are not
palatable, so not grazed by livestock or wildlife and spread
widely, displacing other forage plants
B. Stewart
Sulphur Cinquefoil
Detection
In a park setting, look for
monoculture, or a lot of one
species of plant in an area;
• often these are invasive
species that have spread
and displaced the native
plants, reducing the
biodiversity of an area
T. Heutte
Japanese Knotweed
Question
Follow the links below to photos and description of a
widespread invasive plant and its seeds.
http://www.bcinvasives.ca/invasive-species/invasive-plants/hounds-tongue
http://www.weedsbc.ca/weed_desc/hounds.html
Describe how each of the four main
characteristics of invasive species
show up in this selected species,
and allow it to spread and thrive.
1. prolific seed producers / reproducers
2. seeds spread easily and effectively
3. can quickly establish and thrive on disturbed open
ground, spreading and displacing native species
4. usually lack natural pathogens or predators
L. Scott
Hound’s Tongue
CHARACTERISTICS
Prolific seed producers /
reproducers
Seeds spread easily and
effectively
Can quickly establish and
thrive on disturbed open
ground, spreading and
displacing native species
Usually lack natural
pathogens or predators
DESCRIBE HOW THIS APPLIES
Invasive Species Impacts
Invasive plant infestations can:
• disrupt natural ecosystem processes
• alter soil chemistry, preventing the regrowth of native plants
and economic crops
• affect wildlife habitat and reduce forage availability
• increase soil erosion
• poison livestock and wildlife
• increase the risk of wildfires
• interfere with forest regeneration
• cause allergic reactions and severe skin abrasions and burns
Section 2. Invasive Species Impacts
In this section, we will highlight the rationale for why invasive
species are such a problem for BC, and the importance of
identifying, monitoring and managing them.
2.1 Economic Impacts
Agriculture and Ranching
Invasive plants cause serious
problems. They reduce crop
quality by:
• replacing target crops
• tainting crops with spines,
toxic plants and inedible
forage
• some such as tansy ragwort
and hound’s tongue can
poison livestock
L. Scott
Burdock burrs on livestock
2.1 Economic Impacts
Additional costs can include:
• treating animals who ingest
toxic plants or have burs or
spines in their bodies
• invasive species such as
starlings that consume crops
• a reduction in land values;
e.g. Knotweeds, European
fire ant
C&F
Japanese knotweed grows through
fence from neighbouring property.
Question:
How much money do you think BC loses each year in
forage and crop losses due to invasive plants?
a) $1 million b) $20 million c) $35 million d) $50 million e) $75 million
ANSWER: Estimates
indicate that up to
$50 million is lost in
BC every year, due
to crop and forage
losses
NWIPC
Field Scabious
Economic Impacts: Forestry
Invasive plants impact forest
regeneration activities:
• invade a disturbed area quickly,
limiting natural regeneration
• out-compete tree seedlings in
reforestation areas
• make reforestation an expensive
challenge
• Some invasive plants (e.g. gorse
on Vancouver Island) are very
flammable - pose a major fire
hazard
D. Moorhead
English Ivy
Economic Impacts: Transportation
The Ministry of Transportation invests $1.3 Million
each year on invasive plant control!
Additional costs include:
• cutting back invasive plants to
re-establish sightlines
• condemning gravel pits infested
with invasive plants
• repairing roads from knotweed
damage: roots can grow up to 20m
from the parent plant—growing
underneath a highway to become
established on the other side!
CABI
Japanese knotweed
Question
f) ALL OF THE ABOVE
What are some ways that roads and transportation corridors
contribute to the spread of invasive plants?
a) Plants spread and thrive on disturbed ground along roadsides
b) Vehicles transport seeds and plants along corridors
c) Wind blows and spreads seeds down roadway corridors
d) People and animals travel on roadways, spreading seeds and
plant material
e) Vehicle movement
blows seeds and
plant materials
f) All of the above
Alex Fraser Research Forest
Oxeye Daisy
Question
How much do you think it costs Canada as a whole in lost
revenue each year, due to invasive species?
$1 billion $5 billion $10 billion $20 billion $35 billion
ANSWER: Very hard to
calculate—according to
Environment Canada, the
estimated annual lost revenue
caused by just 16 invasive
species is between $13 and $35
billion dollars
2.2 Environmental Impacts
Invasive species have many
serious, far-reaching
environmental impacts
An estimated 16% of
endangered plants in Canada
are in competition with invasive
species
L. Scott
Diffuse Knapweed
2.2 Environmental Impacts
Invasive plants reduce biodiversity:
• out-compete native plants for water, nutrients, and space and
can alter soil chemical composition so that native species are
unable to grow there
• alter habitats and displace wildlife
• disrupt ecosystems: when plants change, food webs change
• non-native, invasive grasses have been linked to altered grassfire cycles worldwide
Spotted knapweed in Glacier National Park eliminated
seven rare and uncommon plant species in 3 years.
Reduce Water Quality
Invasive species can reduce water quality through increasing soil
erosion, sedimentation, shading of riparian areas, and degrading
fish habitat.
• E.g. Didymo or “Rock Snot” is a fresh water diatom found in over
12 watersheds throughout Vancouver Island, and in the Bulkley,
South Thompson, Kettle, Columbia and Kootenay Rivers
• forms massive blooms destroying habitat for fish, plants and
invertebrates, reducing oxygen in the water, altering food webs
J. Leekie
Didymo
Question
Name five main environmental impacts that invasive species
can have on a region.
L. Wilson
Yellow Hawkweed
Environmental Impacts
1. Reduce biodiversity of a region
2. Impact landscapes
3. Disrupt ecosystems
4. Destroy wildlife habitats
5. Reduce water quality
2.3 Social Impacts
Invasive plants can impact human
health and safety:
• obstruct sightlines and road signs
along highway corridors
• cause skin burns and dermatitis
• increase allergies
• E.g. leaves and stems of Giant
hogweed, an escaped ornamental,
contain toxic sap that can cause
hypersensitivity to sunlight, resulting
in burns, blisters, and scarring
CIPC
Giant Hogweed
Recreation Impacts
Invasive species limit habitat, displace fish and wildlife and
reduce water quality.
• E.g. Eurasian watermilfoil displaces native plants and makes
water bodies unsuitable for fish or for swimming
• May cause partial park closures if deemed necessary
Eurasian Watermilfoil
Recreation Impacts
Park trails and camp sites expensive to maintain due to toxic or
prickly invasive plants.
• E.g. the seeds of Puncturevine, found in the Okanagan, can
puncture bike tires and hurt animals and people
L. Scott
Puncturevine
First Nations Culture
Many First Nations have suffered the loss of traditional food and
medicinal plants, due to invasive plants displacing native species.
E. Armagost
Invasive plant removal on
Tobacco Plains Reserve
M. Hillis
Kispiox Community Weed Pull
Changing Conditions: Climate Change
Climate change does and will continue to play a role in invasive
species establishment and spread.
•
•
•
Warmer weather allows species that live further south to migrate and populate BC
environments: E.g. Nutria
Changing environmental conditions allow invasive species to flourish in certain
areas, such as disturbed or degraded areas, as well as more sensitive environments
Some native species can become invasive due to changing climatic conditions:
E.g. The mountain pine beetle is native but its wide spread invasion was partly
brought on by warmer winters, allowing populations to grow rather than die off
during very cold temperatures
Judy Millar
Mountain Pine Beetle
Judy Millar
Wikipedia
Nutria
Changing Conditions: Climate Change
Top 10 invasive species for consideration under climate change:
Plants:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Yellow starthistle
Kudzu
Medusahead grass
Puncturevine
Giant Hogweed
Parrot feather
Centaurea solstitalis
Pueraria montana
Taeniatherum caput-medusae
Tribulus terrestis
Heracleum mategazzianum
Myriophyllum aquaticum
Animals:
7.
Nutria
8.
Yellow perch
9.
Smallmouth bass
10. Signal crayfish
Myocastor coypus
Perca flavescens
Micropterus salmoides
Pacifastacus leniusculus
Section 3. Invasive Species
Introductions:
How Do They Get Here?
In this section, we outline some of the main pathways of entry of
invasive species, to provide a basis for where and how to look for them,
and prevent their entry and spread.
• Invasive plants are introduced to Canada and BC in many ways –
and people usually have a role to play
• Some species are brought in on purpose (e.g. as ornamentals or
pets) while some are brought in by accident (e.g. through crop and
seed contaminants)
Question
List as many ways you can think of that invasive species could
enter BC: include both plant and animal species.
L. Scott
Diffuse Knapweed on truck flap
OFAH
Eurasian watermilfoil on boat motor
Invasive Species enter BC thru:
Travel and trade
Recreation
Gardening and agriculture
Shipping/Canals
Water, wind, soil
Escapees
Pets
Intentional releases
3.1 Key Pathways of Invasion/Spread
Increased travel and trade (land, air, water). People are moving
around the globe more than ever, and invasive species hitch
rides on vehicles, containers, baggage
Ministry of Transportation
3.1 Key Pathways of Invasion / Spread
Recreation. Plants and animals
hitch rides on boats, pets, car and
bike tires and bumpers, wildlife,
all-terrain vehicles, hiking boots,
camping and fishing gear
• Keep an eye on campsites and
trails for plants and seeds
spread by park visitors
J. Leekie
Treated burdock at public campground
3.1 Key Pathways of Invasion / Spread
• Gardening & Agriculture - Cultivated plants escape from
gardens and farms to wetlands, grasslands, and roadsides.
Purple loosestrife was sold at garden centres for its lovely
purple flowers, but has now spread across Canada and covers
millions of hectares. Some seed mixes are also contaminated
with invasive plant seeds.
Utah State University
Purple Loosestrife in garden
Shipping & Canals
Shipping. A major source of water-based invasive species is
ballast water that ships take on for stability and later dump into
harbours worldwide. Species that have come to Canada this way
are the zebra mussel, round goby, and spiny water flea. Other
plants and animals arrive as stowaways, hidden in cargo on
ships, trains, trucks, and planes.
NYIS
Round Goby
CBS News
Zebra Mussels
Shipping & Canals
Canals. Artificial waterways have allowed the sea lamprey, an
eel-like fish from the Atlantic Ocean, to cross natural barriers and
invade the Great Lakes
Wikipedia
Sea Lamprey
Water, Wind and Soil
Natural processes spread seeds, plants and other species
around. Many invasive plants have seeds well-adapted to being
blown long distances.
J. Samanek
Milk Thistle in bloom
J. Samanek
Milk Thistle going to seed
Escapees
The American Bullfrog, native
to eastern North America, was
introduced to BC in the early
20th century by people
wanting to farm them for their
meaty legs
R. Ottens
American Bullfrog
Fallow deer escaped from
game farms and are now
established on several Gulf
Islands
Fallow deer
Pets / Intentional Releases
Pets. The release of unwanted aquarium pets introduced redeared slider turtles, European wall lizards, rabbits and many fish
species into the wild. Parks tend to be favourite drop-off sites.
Wikipedia
Red-eared Slider Turtle
Wikipedia
European Wall Lizard
Pets / Intentional Releases
Intentional releases. European starlings and house sparrows let
loose in New York City's Central Park in the 19th century now
blanket the Western Hemisphere
Wikipedia
House Sparrow
Section 4. Management and
Legislation around Invasive Species
4.1 Prevention: EDRR!
• Prevention is by far the most efficient approach to invasive
species management: don’t let them in!
• BC Government has instituted an Early Detection Rapid
Response plan: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hra/invasive-species/edrr.htm
Section 4. Management and
Legislation around Invasive Species
4.1 Prevention: EDRR!
• EDRR: Early Detection of newly
arrived invasive species, followed by
a well-coordinated Rapid Response,
will increase the chances of
eradicating or containing them
• is the most cost-effective means of
controlling expansion of invasive
species
• Activities guided by the BC Invasive
Plant EDRR Plan
4.2 Coordination is Key - The IMISWG
In BC, an Inter-ministry Invasive Species Working Group
(IMISWG) was formed to take a strategic approach to the
management of invasive species
Includes members from Ministries of:
• Forests, Lands and Natural
Resource Operations
• Environment
• BC Parks
• Agriculture
• Transportation
• Energy and Mines
• Community, Sport and Cultural
Development
• Oil and Gas Commission
4.2 Coordination is Key - The IMISWG
Associated Membership:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations & Reconciliation
Ministry of Environment– Environmental Management Branch
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations – Forest Health
Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General
Agricultural Land Commission
Ministry of Health
Note: Legislation and past management plans on IMISWG website
Inter-ministry Invasive Species Working
Grouphttp://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hra/invasive-species/index.htm
4.3 Regulations for BC Parks
Staff to Know
Parks can be prime sites for invasive species introductions,
through visitors, recreational activities, and dumping of
unwanted pets, yard and garden waste. Know where to look for
species that are prohibited in BC:
1.
2.
3.
The Controlled Alien Species Regulation, under the Wildlife Act:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/wildlifeactreview/cas/species.html
The Weed Control
Act:http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freesid
e/00_96487_01
The BC Proposed Prohibited Noxious Weeds - invasive plant species that
are not present in BC (or only extremely limited in extent), and pose a
significant threat. http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hra/invasive-species/prohibited.htm
Section 5. Invasive Species in Your Region
Question: List some invasive species you know about that are
present in BC (list at least 5). Do you know of specific invasive
species that are affecting your BC Parks region?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
5.1 Invasive Plants – Main
Provincial Invaders
The main invasive plants that are currently a management concern
across BC are as follows:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Giant hogweed (Heracleum mategazzianum)
Knotweeds (Japanese, Giant, Bohemian, Himalayan Fallopia japonica; F. sp.)
Blueweed (Echium vulgare)
Knapweeds (Spotted, Diffuse, other - Centaurea sp).
Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula)
Marsh plume thistle (Cirsium palustre)
Common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
Ministry of Agriculture
Blueweed
5.1 Invasive Plants – Main
Provincial Invaders
The main invasive plants that are currently a management concern
across BC are as follows:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Dalmatian toadflax (Linaria dalmatica)
Sulphur cinquefoil (Potentilla recta)
Daisy (oxeye, scentless chamomile –
Chrysanthemum leaucanthemem)
Hawkweeds (orange and yellow –
Hieraclum aurantiacum)
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)
Yellow flag iris (Iris pseudacorus)
Himalayan balsam/Policeman’s helmet
(Impatiens glandulifera)
Didymo/rock snot (a diatom –
Didymosphenia geminate)
L. Scott
Oxeye Daisy
5.2 Spotlight: The Top Invasive
Plants in your Region!
BC Parks are categorized under five regions:
– Northern Region
– South Coast (Lower Mainland)
– West Coast (Vancouver Island
/ North Coast)
– Cariboo/Thompson
– Kootenay/Okanagan
Regions
For the purpose of investigating invasive species, there is a lot of
overlap; therefore the 5 regions have been combined into three
general areas:
– Northern
– Coastal - South Coast and
West Coast
– Interior - Cariboo/Thompson
and Kootenay/Okanagan
J. Leekie
Marsh Plume Thistle
Northern Region: “The Dirty Dozen”
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Common tansy
Dalmation toadflax
Diffuse knapweed
Field scabious
Hoary alyssum
Leafy spurge
Marsh plume thistle
Orange hawkweed
Oxeye daisy
Scentless chamomile
Spotted knapweed
Yellow hawkweed
Tanacetum vulgare
Linaria dalmatica
Centaurea diffusa
Knautia arvensis
Berteroa incana
Euphorbia esula
Cirsium palustre
Hieraclum aurantiacum
Chrysanthemum leaucanthemem
Matricaria perforata Merat
Centaurea maculosa
Hieracium caespitosum
Coastal - South Coast and West Coast
“The Dirty Dozen”
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Giant hogweed
Knotweed species (all)
Daphne laurel
Orange and Yellow hawkweeds
English ivy (any ivy species)
Lamium
Thistles (Canada and Bull)
Blueweed
St. John's Wort
Blackberry species
(Himalayan and Cut leaf)
• Purple Loosestrife
• Yellow Flag Iris
Heracleum mategazzianum
Fallopia japonica; sp.
Daphne laureola
Hieraclum aurantiacum; H. caespitosum
Hedera helix
Lamium album
Cirsium arvense
Echium vulgare
Hypericum perforatum
Rubus discolor; Rubus laciniatus
Lythrum salicaria
Iris pseudacorus
Interior: Cariboo/Thompson &
Kootenay/Okanagan
“The Dirty Dozen”
• Purple loosestrife
• Diffuse & spotted knapweed
• Rush skeletonweed
(EDRR species)
• Common bugloss
(EDRR species)
• Puncturevine
• Longspine sandbur
• Leafy spurge
• Yellow flag iris
• Tansy ragwort
• Hoary alyssum
• Orange hawkweed
• Dalmatian toadflax
Lythrum salicaria
Centaurea diffusa, C. maculosa
Chondrilla juncea
Anchusa officinalis
Tribulus terrestis
Cenchrus longispinus
Euphorbia esula
Iris pseudacorus
Senecia jacobea
Berteroa incana
Hieraclum aurantiacum
Linaria dalmatica
5.3 Invasive Animals – Main Provincial
Invaders
Here are a few other invasive species to be aware of. Read about the species
that are of concern in your region:
• Bass: smallmouth, largemouth (South, West Coast, Interior)
Micropterus salmoides, M. dolomieu
• Zebra and Quagga mussels (not in BC but moving west from Manitoba)
Dreissena polymorpha, D. bugensis
• Asian clam (not in BC but in the US) - Corbicula fluminea
• European and Argentine fire ant (West Coast and South Coast) Solenopsis sp.
• Eastern grey squirrel (South Coast, Thompson /Okanagan) - Sciurus
carolinensis
• American bullfrog (West Coast, Okanagan, South Coast) - Rana
catesbeiana
• Nutria (South Coast – Richmond) - Myocastor coypus
Other Invasive Species of Concern:
Zebra and Quagga Mussels – a province wide
alert! (Dreissena polymorpha, D. bugensis)
We do not want these in BC !!
•
•
•
•
cost millions of dollars through clogging pipes,
waterways, and hydroelectric equipment
have spread west from Ontario to Lake Winnipeg
water-based recreation a major way they can enter
BC, attached to boats, equipment
http://www.bcinvasives.ca/invasivespecies/invasive-organisms/zebra-and-quaggamussels
check out the ISCBC ‘Clean, Drain, Dry’ Program for
information on prevention:
http://www.bcinvasives.ca/special-events/cleandrain-dry
Other Invasive Species of Concern:
European Fire Ants – South and West
Coast (Solenopsis sp.)
• came to North America from Eurasia in
the early 1900’s
• spread across several provinces,
including BC
• nests difficult to spot, very hard to
eradicate
• armed with a ‘fire’ like sting, will attack
aggressively if disrupted
http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hra/invasivespecies/fire_ants.htm
R. Ottens
European Fire Ant
Other Invasive Species of Concern:
Asian Clam - a province-wide alert:
Okanagan Alert (Corbicula fluminea)
• These clams have spread
throughout the USA, and are
present in waterways throughout
Washington State
• Similar to zebra mussels, they
reproduce in large colonies that
clog waterways and pipes. Find out
more at the National Invasive
Species Council website
http://www.invasivespecies.gov
http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/index.shtml
Wikipedia
Asian Clam
Other Invasive Species of Concern:
Eastern Grey Squirrels – Thompson /
Okanagan (Sciurus carolinensis)
• small number released in Stanley
Park in 1909
• spread to Lower Mainland,
Okanagan, Vancouver Island
• outcompete native squirrels and
birds; eat eggs and nestlings
http://www.bcinvasives.ca/invasivespecies/invasive-organisms/eastern-greysquirrel
Wikipedia
Eastern Grey Squirrel
Other Invasive Species of Concern:
Bullfrogs – Okanagan, South and West Coast (Rana catesbeiana)
• biggest frog in N America
• bullfrog farms promoted in BC after World War II, but were not
profitable; frogs released into the wild
• prey on and outcompete native frogs, other amphibians, fish,
small mammals
• carry diseases
• Read more - The Bullfrog Project
http://web.uvic.ca/bullfrogs/
Wikipedia
Bullfrog
Other Invasive Species of Concern:
Nutria – South Coast
Myocastor coypus
• Large, semi-aquatic rodent native
to S. America; prolific breeder
• Now found in Lower Mainland
• Overgraze wetland plants,
destroying marshlands, cause
erosion
• Burrowing damages river and
stream banks and dykes, canals
http://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/efauna/Atlas/Atl
as.aspx?sciname=Myocastor%20coypus
Wikipedia
Nutria
Invasive Plants threaten BC Parks
Check out the Invasive Plant Threat
Analysis Report done in 2010, that
covers all BC Parks and Protected Areas:
http://www.fvrd.bc.ca/InsidetheFVRD/MeetingsA
gendasMinutes/AirQualityandEnvironmentManag
ement/Archived%20Agendas/0%2005%2004%20
EC%20Environment%20Committee/item%206.1%
20Invasive%20Plant%20Analysis.pdf
Question:
How could invasive species infestations affect the BC Parks in
your region, economically, environmentally and socially?
Please list two points under each category:
Economic impacts / Environmental impacts / Social impacts
Judy Millar
Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park
Potential Impacts to BC Parks:
1.
Economic
2.
1.
Environmental
2.
1.
Social
2.
Section 6. “What Can I Do To Help?”
Actions: Prevent, Record and Report!
Prevention is the best tool against the introduction and spread of
invasive species. Being “on the lookout” for invasive species in BC Parks
will help to decrease likelihood that new invasive species will become
established, and increase likelihood of eradication if they do show up
Important to be able to:
• Identify and report invasive species,
• understand how to prevent their spread, and
• how to help control and eradicate the ones that are already
established
Question
List some actions you can take to prevent the introduction and
spread of invasive plants in BC Parks.
BC Parks
Woss Lake Provincial Park
Actions to take to Prevent the Spread:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
6.1 Some Actions to Take
• Learn as much as you can about native and invasive plants and
animals
• Staff, contractors and volunteers to check and clean equipment,
vehicles, recreational gear, boots, clothes for seeds/plant pieces
• Never transport non-native species such as fish bait or plants from
one site to another
• Never allow transportation of firewood from one region to another
• Spot and report invasive plants – learn to recognize and identify
invasive species, report them to your regional invasive species
committee or ISCBC
• Maintain Healthy Plant Communities – restoring and maintaining
Park ecosystem health will increase resilience against invasive plant
invasions
6.1 Some Actions to Take
• Minimize and re-vegetate soil disturbance – manage park
operations and maintenance activities to maintain desirable
vegetation and minimize soil disturbance
• Reseed/re-vegetate – with regionally appropriate, non-invasive,
non-persistent seed mixtures or plants. Check the seed certificate
analysis to ensure no prohibited species are in the mixture and use
native species wherever possible. See BC Parks Seeding Guideline
• Minimize horticultural escapes – grow regionally native plants or
those known to be non-invasive; dispose of garden waste
appropriately
• Minimize spread – control invasive plants PRIOR TO flowering or
seed development; use only clean soil and gravel in any
construction work
6. 2 How to Report an Invasive
Species Sighting
Invasive species tend to show up in areas that BC Parks staff
frequent, like hiking trails, campgrounds, day use areas,
shoreline areas, along roadsides and in ditches.
If you see a plant species that looks ‘out
of place’, or a creature you don’t
recognize and have concerns about,
PLEASE REPORT IT!
You can report the sightings by phone or
online
R. Mueller
Burdock
Report Invasive Species
Report-A-Weed Website and Mobile APP (download from website) The
BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations operates
the Report-A-Weed website and phone app
http://www.reportaweedbc.ca
Contact your local weed committee or regional district:
Check ISCBC’s website listing for a contact or call 1-888-9333722http://www.bcinvasives.ca/general/regional-committees
IAPP Invasive Alien Plant Program Application:
Database for invasive plants in
BChttp://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hra/plants/application.htm
RAPP Line - Report sightings of invasive mussels to the Report all
Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hotline: 1-877-952-7277
Phone ISCBC Toll-free: 1-888-933-3722
What to Collect to Report an Invader:
When you report a sighting of a suspected invasive plant or
animal species, be sure to include:
– a photo if possible
– the location as specifically as possible
(e.g. coordinates are ideal)
– the date
– the name of the suspected species
– a description of the species and the
location site, and
– the area of infestation (m2) if known
– in the course package there is an
Information Sheet on How to Collect
a Plant Sample: Review this information
Invasive Species – Useful Links
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/HRA/Plants/
Inter-Ministry Invasive Species Working Group
http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hra/invasive-species/index.htm
Invasive Species Council of BC (ISCBC): TIPS Sheets on 16 invasive plants: Targeted Invasive Plant
Solutions http://www.bcinvasive species.ca/resources/outreach-materials/invasive-plants-tips
Activities TIPS - focus on the best management practices for specific activities: e.g. check the Forestry,
Aquatics: Water-Based Recreation and Highways operations TIPS sheets for applicable information to
Parks operations. http://www.bcinvasive species.ca/resources/activities-tips
E Flora - An online encyclopedia of native and invasive plants of BC
http://www.geog.ubc.ca/biodiversity/eflora/
Royal BC Museum: Aliens Among Us – 47 alien species profiles
http://alienspecies.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/eng/content/home
Invasive Alien Plant Program (IAPP): A web-based database that stores information on
comprehensive invasive plant data in BC. http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hra/plants/application.htm
Summary
You now have some additional tools
to help identify invasive plants and
other species
Your Participant’s Package contains
additional information and resources.
See the following page for some
helpful online links
BC Parks
Hoary Alyssum in field
Thank You for Your Participation, and for your
interest and commitment to preventing the spread
of invasive species in BC!
Judy Millar
Field Crew