An Invasive Alien Species Strategy for Canada

Canada has recently released an Alien Species Strategy. According to their website:

Invasive alien species threaten Canada's environment, economy and society, including human health. They are the second greatest threat to Canada's biodiversity - second only to habitat loss. They threaten the sustainability of our natural resources and the quality of life of Canadians. Public awareness of this alien invasion is growing, with the media driving such files as West Nile Virus, chronic wasting disease, emerald ash borer and ballast water management.

Alien species are defined as species of plants, animals and micro-organisms introduced outside their natural past or present distribution. Alien species become invasive when they establish and spread in the new environment, and threaten the native species, the environment the economy, or some aspect of society. IAS have been identified as a priority for action under the Canadian Biodiversity Strategy.

Alien species are also known as exotics, non-indigenous, non-native, foreign, pests or weeds. They can be introduced from other countries or continents, or even from another ecosystem within Canada. It is estimated that 10% of species introduced become established and 10% of those, become invasive. What qualities enable a species to become invasive in a new environment? These could include: adaptability; able to compete for food, water and space; few predators or diseases in the new environment. In addition, the new species may be a top predator on a native species, may transmit diseases to native species or alter the habitat. The damage done is frequently irreversible.

Examples of invaders include purple loosestrife, which is choking Canadian wetlands; the zebra mussel, which has eliminated native species in the Great Lakes and clogged water lines and fouled engines, boats and piers in Ontario; and the brown spruce long-horned beetle which has resulted in the destruction of a significant number of trees in Point Pleasant Park in Halifax. In Canada, alien species total 27% of all vascular plants, 181 insects that feed on woody plants, 24 birds, 26 mammals, 2 reptiles, 4 amphibians and 55 freshwater fish. Included on the World Conservation Union's list of 100 worst invasive alien species are several established in Canada: Dutch Elm Disease, purple loosestrife, leafy spurge, Japanese knotweed, green crab, spiny water flea, gypsy moth, carp, rainbow trout, starling, domestic (feral) cat and rats.

Environment Canada has assumed a national co-ordinating role on the issue of invasive alien species. The Department is working closely with other federal departments and agencies including Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Natural Resources Canada, Transport Canada and the Parks Canada Agency, as well as provincial and territorial governments and stakeholders, to address this threat.

This Strategy proposes to respond to the invasive alien species challenge through an approach that prioritizes:
1. prevention of new invasions;
2. early detection of new invaders;
3. rapid response to new invaders; and
4. management of established and spreading invaders (containment, eradication, and control).

This Strategy represents the collective efforts of several federal government departments and agencies as well as numerous provinces. Suggestions to consider particular sources of invasive species (e.g. agronomic species and varieties bred in Canada) or specific management strategies (e.g. suggestions regarding pest management and the use of biological control) will be incorporated into the action plans under development.

For more information on this strategy, see http://www.cbin.ec.gc.ca/primers/ias.cfm?lang=e

Added on November 8th, 2005 - Return to Special Features