Many Canadians are itching to get outdoors after weeks of COVID-19 self-isolation and a lengthy winter. Some are able to in provinces where restrictions have been lifted, while others remain close to home.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is marking Invasive Species Awareness Week by urging people to help minimize the spread of invasive species, whether they are resuming recreational activities or spending time in their yard.
NCC has issued a list of invasive plants and species that Saskatchewan residents should be aware of and watch for. They include:
· Canada thistle,
· common tansy,
· European buckthorn,
· European common reed,
· knapweeds,
· leafy spurge and;
· purple loosestrife
NCC senior conservation biologist, Dan Kraus, suggests that with more of us spending time at home and taking short walks in local parks, now is an ideal time to identify and report invasive plants in our communities.
Spring is also an ideal time to audit your backyard for invasive species. While many non-native plants are not an issue for biodiversity, there are several that are known to spread from backyards into nearby natural areas. Property owners can play an important role in reducing the spread of these species by removing them from their gardens. Also, growing native plants in your yard can help contribute to a healthy ecosystem.
People can help by reporting sightings which contributes to early detection. Canadians of all ages and levels of experience can join in the effort to stem the spread of invasive species by downloading the iNaturalist phone app (iNaturalist.ca) and uploading photos to help scientists and government agencies identify the species and monitor their spread.
Invasive species can include insects like the Rose Stem Girdler that attacks native prairie roses and raspberries and has few natural predators to control them. Once they get into ecosystems, they’re often able to rapidly spread and can negatively impact our native plants and animals.
NCC works hard to detect and control invasive species on all properties across Saskatchewan. NCC has partnered with Agriculture Canada to implement biological control of some invasive species in the form of natural predators that target specific species like leafy spurge at Big Valley and yellow toadflax at our Messier property.
There are various ways you can assist in mitigating the spread of invasive plants. Once recognized, you can tackle the problem by manually removing the plant before they become established. If you spot invasive species in greenhouses, or elsewhere, you can report it to the Saskatchewan Invasive Species Council.
Quotes
“Invasive species are an everyday concern for Saskatchewan land managers and the public alike. Controlling the spread of invasive plants like absinthe or downy brome and animals like Russian carp or feral pigs have real world implications,” says Matthew Braun, manager of conservation science and planning with the Nature Conservancy of Canada. “It can take thousands of dollars to deal with a single weed species in your pasture and one family of wild pigs can create an awful mess in the wild. These species reduce available forage for grazers, decrease biodiversity by outcompeting native species, and mar the beauty of our pristine native ecosystems.”
“Globally, invasive species have been identified as the number two threat to nature, with habitat loss being the primary issue,” said Dan Kraus, senior conservation biologist with the Nature Conservancy of Canada. “Invasive species not only threaten our Canadian plants and animals, but also impact our economy and well-being. For example, Japanese knotweed and European common reed can lower property values, and emerald ash borer is a major pest in our forests. Invasive species cost us billions of dollars each year and are altering the character and functions of many Canadian ecosystems.
About
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is the nation's leading not-for-profit, private land conservation organization, working to protect our most important natural areas and the species they sustain. Since 1962, NCC and its partners have helped to protect 14 million hectares (35 million acres), coast to coast to coast. To learn more, visit natureconservancy.ca
Common invasive species people might find in their backyard or local park
Emerald ash borer: This non-native invasive beetle has decimated tens of millions of ash trees and continues to spread rapidly. It can quickly kill large areas of ash trees, impacting forests, areas along streams and rivers, and urban forests and woodlands. It has spread to new areas where people have moved firewood that has been cut from infected ash trees.
Where it’s found:Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick.
Leafy spurge
This plant has yellow-greenish flowers, and its leaves and stems have a white, milky sap. It probably came to Canada in grain seeds from Europe. It spreads quickly in open areas and threatens habitats, such as tall grass prairie in Manitoba. In Saskatchewan, beetles have been introduced to the area as a biological control.
Where it's found: Yukon, BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI.
Japanese knotweed
It resembles bamboo and was likely introduced as a garden plant, but Japanese knotweed can form dense thickets and outcompete native vegetation. It's particularly a problem where it takes over the edges of creeks and lakes. It's been identified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as one of the world's worst invading species.
Where it's found: BC, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Garlic mustard
Native to Europe, this green-leafed herb with white flowers was first recorded in New York in 1868 and may have been brought over as a culinary plant. It spreads through forests and displaces native wildflowers and tree seedlings. Each plant produces thousands of tiny, black seeds that are viable in soil for many years. The only bright spot: The leaves can be picked and turned into a tasty pesto.
Where it's found:BC, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI.
Buckthorn
There are two kinds of this shrub — glossy false buckthorn and common — which have berry-like fruits that produce large number of seeds. They were introduced in the late 1800s primarily to create windbreaks along farm fields. Unfortunately, the plant spreads quickly and prevents native trees and shrubs from regenerating. Common buckthorn is also the primary host for the non-native soybean aphid, a serious threat to farmers.
Where it's found:Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI.
Common tansy
This plant with yellow, button-like flowers can grow as tall as 1.5 metres. It was introduced to North America from Europe in the 1600s as a horticultural and medicinal plant. It impacts stream banks and native grasslands and outcompetes native plants. It also produces a toxic compound that can impact cattle and wildlife.
Where it's found: Everywhere except Nunavut.
European swallow-wort/dog-strangling vine
This vine can grow up to two metres long and create dense thickets or grow on other plants. Monarchs have been known to confuse the plants with their milkweed host plant and lay eggs on it, but the larvae can not survive. The plant invades forests, stream banks, grasslands and alvar habitats (limestone plain). A moth from the Ukraine area that feeds on the leaves has been approved for release in North America as a biological control.
Where it's found: BC, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick.
Purple loosestrife
This plant is listed as a noxious weed in many provinces but is still sometime sold as an ornamental plant. But before adding it to your garden, you should know it crowds out most native vegetation and creates near-monocultures. It has also been identified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as one of the world's worst invading species, because a single purple loosestrife plant can produce over 2 million seeds each year.
Where it's found: BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, Newfoundland and Labrador.
