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

Kinnickinnick, a native ground cover plant.

N.Bakker

Question:

What are some other terms that are similar to “invasive species”?

Butterfly Bush

J. Leekie

Daphne

D. Hanna

Non-Native

Alien

Introduced

Exotic

Weeds

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

Dandelion

J. Leekie

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

Brown Trout

Wikipedia

Ring-necked Pheasant

Wikipedia

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

Knotweed

Leafy Spurge

R. Mueller

L. Scott

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) European Fire Ant

S. Buaer

Yellow Perch

Wikipedia

Invasive Species are Diverse

• Amphibians (E.g. American Bullfrog)

• Mammals (E.g. Eastern Grey Squirrel; Nutria)

• Birds (E.g. Starlings)

American Bullfrog

S. Price

Starling

WikipediaWikipedia

ActivityPlease define these terms generally and give one example of:

Native SpeciesAlien 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 ReviewSome 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 non-native plants that grow rapidly and cause injury through contact or ingestion

Field Scabious

J. Leekie

Activity

Try to determine if the following species are:Native / Non-Native, Non-Invasive / Invasive

Click through slides for the answer!

LupineNative

Flowering Cherry TreeNon-Native, Non-Invasive

Mule DeerNative

Scotch Broom

INVASIVE

Labrador TeaNative

Smallmouth Bass

INVASIVE

Day LilyNon-Native, Non-Invasive

Yellow Flag Iris

INVASIVE

1.4 Some Characteristics of Invasive Species

There are four main distinguishing features of invasive plants:1. prolific seed producers 2. their seeds spread easily3. 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.

Purple Loosestrife

L. Haugen

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

Japanese Knotweed

T. Heutte

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-tonguehttp://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.

Hound’s Tongue

L. Scott

1. prolific seed producers / reproducers2. seeds spread easily and effectively3. can quickly establish and thrive on disturbed open

ground, spreading and displacing native species4. usually lack natural pathogens or predators

CHARACTERISTICS DESCRIBE HOW THIS APPLIES

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

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 RanchingInvasive 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

Burdock burrs on livestock

L. Scott

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

Japanese knotweed grows through fence from neighbouring property.

C&F

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

Field Scabious

NWIPC

ANSWER: Estimates indicate that up to $50 million is lost in BC every year, due to crop and forage losses

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

English Ivy

D. Moorhead

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! Japanese knotweed

CABI

Question

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 roadsidesb) Vehicles transport seeds and plants along corridorsc) Wind blows and spreads seeds down roadway corridorsd) People and animals travel on roadways, spreading seeds and plant materiale) Vehicle movement blows seeds and plant materialsf) All of the above

Alex Fraser Research Forest

Oxeye Daisy

f) ALL OF THE ABOVE

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 grass-

fire 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.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Reduce biodiversity of a region

Impact landscapes

Disrupt ecosystems

Destroy wildlife habitats

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

Puncturevine

L. Scott

First Nations Culture

Many First Nations have suffered the loss of traditional food and medicinal plants, due to invasive plants displacing native species.

Invasive plant removal onTobacco Plains Reserve

E. Armagost

Kispiox Community Weed Pull

M. Hillis

Changing Conditions: Climate ChangeClimate 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

Mountain Pine Beetle Nutria

Judy MillarJudy Millar Wikipedia

Changing Conditions: Climate Change

Top 10 invasive species for consideration under climate change:Plants:

1. Yellow starthistle Centaurea solstitalis2. Kudzu Pueraria montana3. Medusahead grass Taeniatherum caput-medusae4. Puncturevine Tribulus terrestis5. Giant Hogweed Heracleum mategazzianum6. Parrot feather Myriophyllum aquaticum

Animals:7. Nutria Myocastor coypus8. Yellow perch Perca flavescens9. Smallmouth bass Micropterus salmoides10. Signal crayfish 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)

QuestionList as many ways you can think of that invasive species could

enter BC: include both plant and animal species.

Diffuse Knapweed on truck flap Eurasian watermilfoil on boat motor

L. Scott OFAH

Invasive Species enter BC thru:

Travel and trade Recreation

Gardening and agricultureShipping/CanalsWater, wind, soil

EscapeesPets

Intentional releases

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

3.1 Key Pathways of Invasion/Spread

Ministry of Transportation

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

3.1 Key Pathways of Invasion / Spread

Treated burdock at public campground

J. Leekie

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.

CBS NewsNYIS

Zebra MusselsRound Goby

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.

Milk Thistle going to seed

J. SamanekJ. Samanek

Milk Thistle in bloom

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

Fallow deer escaped from game farms and are now established on several Gulf Islands

American Bullfrog

R. Ottens

Fallow deer

Pets / Intentional Releases

Pets. The release of unwanted aquarium pets introduced red-eared 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

• Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations

• Environment• BC Parks• Agriculture

• Transportation

• Energy and Mines• Community, Sport and Cultural

Development• Oil and Gas Commission

Includes members from Ministries of:

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. The Controlled Alien Species Regulation, under the Wildlife Act: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/wildlifeactreview/cas/species.html

2. The Weed Control Act:http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_96487_01

3. 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 RegionQuestion: 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 Tanacetum vulgare• Dalmation toadflax Linaria dalmatica• Diffuse knapweed Centaurea diffusa• Field scabious Knautia arvensis• Hoary alyssum Berteroa incana• Leafy spurge Euphorbia esula• Marsh plume thistle Cirsium palustre• Orange hawkweed Hieraclum aurantiacum• Oxeye daisy Chrysanthemum leaucanthemem• Scentless chamomile Matricaria perforata Merat• Spotted knapweed Centaurea maculosa• Yellow hawkweed Hieracium caespitosum

Coastal - South Coast and West Coast “The Dirty Dozen”

• Giant hogweed Heracleum mategazzianum• Knotweed species (all) Fallopia japonica; sp. • Daphne laurel Daphne laureola• Orange and Yellow hawkweeds Hieraclum aurantiacum; H. caespitosum• English ivy (any ivy species) Hedera helix• Lamium Lamium album• Thistles (Canada and Bull) Cirsium arvense • Blueweed Echium vulgare• St. John's Wort Hypericum perforatum• Blackberry species

(Himalayan and Cut leaf) Rubus discolor; Rubus laciniatus• Purple Loosestrife Lythrum salicaria• Yellow Flag Iris Iris pseudacorus

Interior: Cariboo/Thompson & Kootenay/Okanagan “The Dirty Dozen”

• Purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria• Diffuse & spotted knapweed Centaurea diffusa, C. maculosa• Rush skeletonweed

(EDRR species) Chondrilla juncea• Common bugloss

(EDRR species) Anchusa officinalis • Puncturevine Tribulus terrestis• Longspine sandbur Cenchrus longispinus • Leafy spurge Euphorbia esula• Yellow flag iris Iris pseudacorus• Tansy ragwort Senecia jacobea• Hoary alyssum Berteroa incana• Orange hawkweed Hieraclum aurantiacum• Dalmatian toadflax 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/invasive-species/invasive-organisms/zebra-and-quagga-mussels

• check out the ISCBC ‘Clean, Drain, Dry’ Program for information on prevention: http://www.bcinvasives.ca/special-events/clean-drain-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/invasive-species/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 websitehttp://www.invasivespecies.govhttp://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 nestlingshttp://www.bcinvasives.ca/invasive-species/invasive-organisms/eastern-grey-squirrel

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 CoastMyocastor 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/Atlas.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/MeetingsAgendasMinutes/AirQualityandEnvironmentManagement/Archived%20Agendas/0%2005%2004%20EC%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

Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park

Judy Millar

Potential Impacts to BC Parks:

Economic

1.

2.

Environmental

1.

2.

Social

1.

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.

Woss Lake Provincial Park

BC Parks

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

Burdock

R. Mueller

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.caContact your local weed committee or regional district: Check ISCBC’s website listing for a contact or call 1-888-933-3722http://www.bcinvasives.ca/general/regional-committeesIAPP Invasive Alien Plant Program Application: Database for invasive plants in BChttp://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hra/plants/application.htmRAPP Line - Report sightings of invasive mussels to the Report all Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hotline: 1-877-952-7277Phone 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 LinksMinistry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operationshttp://www.for.gov.bc.ca/HRA/Plants/ Inter-Ministry Invasive Species Working Grouphttp://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-tipsActivities 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 BChttp://www.geog.ubc.ca/biodiversity/eflora/ Royal BC Museum: Aliens Among Us – 47 alien species profileshttp://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

Hoary Alyssum in field

BC Parks

Thank You for Your Participation, and for your interest and commitment to preventing the spread

of invasive species in BC!

Field Crew

Judy Millar