Invasive species are a threat to Ontario’s biodiversity.
They move into ecosystems and take over, killing some native species.
Invasive species disrupt food webs, degrade habitat, introduce parasites and disease, and lead to species at risk. Globally, only habitat loss is a bigger threat to biodiversity.
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| European frog bit Photo: Wasyl Bakowsky/NHIC |
Invasive species cost money
Fishing, hunting, forestry, tourism and agriculture can all be affected by invasive species. In the Great Lakes Basin, invasive species foul water intakes, reduce the value of commercial and recreational fisheries, and reduce property values. Every year invasive plants cost the agriculture and forest industries in Canada about $7.3 billion. In the Great Lakes, damage associated with zebra mussels has cost between $3 billion and $7.5 billion. Fighting and preventing the spread of invasive species is also extremely expensive. That’s why the best plan is to prevent invasive species from entering Ontario in the first place.
Invasive species threaten society
Invasive species can be dangerous. For example, giant hogweed, a plant introduced from Asia, is toxic. The plant’s sap can cause painful burning blisters on skin and
temporary or permanent blindness if it gets in your eyes.
Many of us enjoy outdoor activities like swimming, boating and hiking. When invasive species move into our parks and beaches they can affect these activities. Water chestnut,
an aquatic invasive plant, floats on the surface of the water and forms dense clusters with sharp barbs. It threatens native species and makes swimming and boating difficult.
