Preventing the Spread of Invasive Species
Invasive species are plants, animals and microbes that are not native to a region and that tend to out-compete native species for available resources. They are introduced either intentionally or accidentally by people to these new environments.
Although only a small percentage of introduced species are able to survive, those that do can have major effects on ecosystems and landscapes. Enormous economic costs can also result, due to damages and control of the invasion. Unfortunately, there is no simple solution to the problem of invasive species.
What can I do to limit invasive species spread and impact?
- Learn about native plants and use them for gardening and landscaping; as a bonus, native varieties are suited to the local environment so they usually require less watering and maintenance (see natural gardening techniques).
- Scout your property regularly for invasive plants, and remove them before they become widespread. If you remove invasives, make sure to replace them with a more desirable species; disturbed soil creates prime conditions for the invader to return. On steep slopes, you may want to remove only a small amount of invasives at one time, and replant with natives immediately, to avoid erosion.
- Pitch in with a community stewardship group in your neighbourhood for regular invasive species removal days.
- Rinse grass cuttings from your lawnmower before taking it to another location, such as a summer cottage, to prevent spreading seeds.
- Be careful that aquatic plants you purchase at retail outlets for your outdoor pond are not invasive species.
- Non Native and Invasive Aquatic and Wetland Plants
- Dispose of invasive plants by burning them (if and when permitted) or sending them to the landfill, rather than by composting or dumping them in natural water bodies, where they can spread to the wild.
- Clean your boat when transporting it between water bodies by removing any obvious plants and animals, draining all water, disposing of unwanted live bait on land, and rinsing the boat and equipment with high pressure hot water, especially if moored for more than a day. Conversely, the boat and all equipment may be thoroughly dried for five days.
- Don't transport, keep or sell American Bullfrogs (or any other wildlife); besides being illegal, this can add to the spread of this invasive animal. If you want frogs in your pond, they will often arrive on their own if you create an appealing environment with water, shade and plenty of insects.
- If you have a fish tank or aquarium, dispose of animals and plants properly. Dry out plants and throw them in the trash. If you have fish or animals you no longer want, find a responsible adult to give them to or dispose of them humanely.
Further Information & Links
Websites
Articles
- Broom and Gorse in BC: BC Ministry of Forests (PDF
) - Invasive Plant Strategy for BC: Fraser Basin Council (PDF )
- BC Frogwatch: Factsheet Seven: Bullfrog: BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection (PDF )
- Invasive Plants of Natural Habitats in Canada: Canadian Wildlife Service (PDF )
© Image courtesy of Chuck Pettis