Introduced and Invasive Species PDF

Introduced and Invasive Species ZO: 350 Wildlife Biodiversity 3 4  Introduced vs Invasive Species Introduced species (AKA exotic, alien species) are plants, animals and micro-organisms that have been accidentally or deliberately introduced into areas beyond their native range....

Introduced and Invasive Species ZO: 350 Wildlife Biodiversity 3 4  Introduced vs Invasive Species Introduced species (AKA exotic, alien species) are plants, animals and micro-organisms that have been accidentally or deliberately introduced into areas beyond their native range. Invasive species are introduced species whose introduction or spread negatively impacts the environment, economy, and/or society including human health 5 www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca t1.gstatic.com https://canadainvasives.ca/invasive-species/ How do invasive species spread? Humans (accidentally and on purpose) Climate change www.bayportmarina.com www.thefisherman.com www.nationalgeographic.com https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/invasive-species-in-canada-animals 6 Invasive Species Invasives can threaten and alter our natural environment and habitats and disrupt essential ecosystem functions including:  reduce soil productivity  impact water quality and quantity  degrade range resources and wildlife habitat grabngrowsoil.com  threaten biodiversity  alter natural fire regimes  introduce diseases  compete with native species for resources https://canadainvasives.ca/invasive-species/ 7 Impacts on Forest Productivity Invasives can interfere with forest regeneration and productivity resulting in:  Loss of wildlife habitat forests.org  Decreased forest stand diversity  Vulnerability to insects and disease 8 www2.gov.bc.ca  12/11/2024 Impacts on Agriculture Invasives can have a wide range of impacts on agriculture  Reduce crop yields and quality  Introduce diseases and pests  Reduce forage quality Examples of invasive insects in Canada:  Lesser Grain Borer  Western Bean Cutworm  Japanese Beetle tualatinswcd.org Examples of invasive plants in Canada: Canada thistle, Smooth brome, Kentucky blue grass https://canadainvasives.ca/invasive-species/ www.thespruce.com 9 Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) AIS have high potential to cause, harm to our environment, economy and human health as they become established outside their natural range. wildlife.utah.gov www.stantec.com https://www.alberta.ca/aquatic-invasive-species-overview 10  Social/Aesthetic Impacts When established in crops or natural areas, invasive plants and/or species can result in: lost income reduced water quality and quantity (increased erosion and sedimentation) reduced property values damage to private property and infrastructure loss of traditional food and medicinal plants reduced land and water recreational opportunities increased control and management costs export and import trade restrictions imposed www.pecva.org https://canadainvasives.ca/invasive-species/ 11  12/11/2024 Economic Impacts Invasives are expensive! According to Environment and Climate Change Canada: The estimated annual cumulative lost revenue caused by just 16 invasive species is between $13 to $35 billion. Invasive species that damage the agricultural and forestry industries results in an estimated $7.5 billion of lost revenue annually https://canadainvasives.ca/invasive-species/ 12  12/11/2024 https://www.invasivespeciescentre.ca/invasive-species/what-is-at-risk/invasive-species-economic-impacts/ 13  12/11/2024 Management Strategies Assessments: Scientific Factors  Containment feasibility and environmental suitability  Ecology and status of the invasive species  Pathways for dispersal Soecio-economic Factors  Costs for control  Societal factors 14  12/11/2024 Management Strategies Vegetation management techniques may include: Education Mechanical methods (pulling weeds/mowing) Grazing by livestock Biological control Chemical control Monitor and reassess 15  12/11/2024 Management Strategies AIS Education – Clean, Drain, Dry Eradication (chemical, biological, mechanical) Containment Managing established populations below a threshold Mitigating impacts to particular activities or resources 16  12/11/2024 Management Strategies 17  12/11/2024 18  12/11/2024 Case Study: Feral Pig 19  12/11/2024 Feral Pig AKA Wild Boar Includes wild pigs, escaped domestic pigs and offspring of domestic pigs that have escaped and mated with wild pigs Originally introduced from Europe to diversify agriculture in western Canada in 1980s and 1990s Adults have prominent upper canine teeth, and some have tusks Come in many different colours (reddish-brown, white, black) 20  12/11/2024 Feral Pig Groups are called sounders Females have two litters of 10-12 piglets each year Prefer fresh water under dense cover, but adaptable to different habitats and climates Successful in agricultural lands surrounded by dense cover Omnivorous Smart, elusive, nocturnal 21  12/11/2024 Feral Pig: Issues Prey on amphibians; small mammals, ground nesting birds and their eggs; newborn livestock Rooting (for food) and trampling behaviour Rooting destroys seedlings and native plants Wallowing and rooting increases erosion, sedimentation and increases invasive plants 22  12/11/2024 Feral Pig: Issues Major crop and infrastructure damage on agricultural land  Estimated $1.5 billion in damage in US annually Transmit diseases to livestock  Pseudorabies and swine brucellosis Water contamination (through feces) Cause vehicle collisions Impacts on rare and endangered species, competition 23  12/11/2024 Feral Pig: Management Brooke and Van Beest 2014 Landowner concern in response to feral pig problems 24  12/11/2024 Feral Pig: Management Brooke and Van Beest 2014 Advocated for hunting, ground trapping, hunting with dogs, aerial hunting, fencing, and raising awareness about feral pigs Argues that compensation programs disincentivizes landowners to address feral pig management 25  12/11/2024 Feral Pig: Management Alberta campaign Known that feral pigs have established in north-central Alberta – Whitecourt - Lloydminster Trappers, hired by Alberta Government and Alberta Pork, have killed 314 feral pigs since awareness program launched in 2021 Reported sightings doubled in 3 years since launch 26  12/11/2024 Feral Pig: Management Alberta campaign 2 year program started in 2022 Hunters paid $75/head 4 counties and municipalities participated High cost = not a lot of participation by counties in the program Not a single pig was killed 27  12/11/2024 Feral Pig: Management Alberta Still unclear what the overall population is Trail cameras provided to pig farmers to monitor feral pig visits Four additional trappers added in summer 2024 28  12/11/2024 Feral Pig: Management Techniques proven successful in other regions: Judas pigs – sows equipped with radio collars that attract males and lead trappers to groups Aerial hunting Add a footer 29  Add a footer 12/11/2024 30