How do invasive species spread?
Invasive species enter Ontario and spread across the province in different ways. Sometimes they are spread unintentionally, but many times people do it knowingly, whether it’s dumping aquarium plants into local waterways or moving contaminated wood.
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| Emerald ash borer Photo: Ed Czerwinski/MNR |
Invasive species spread because they have no natural predators and few competitors for food, water and nutrients in their new environments. Most invasive species are generalists, meaning they can use a wide variety of species for food and habitat, and can survive in a variety of climates. This makes it easy for them to spread into new ecosystems. Climate change might increase the rate that new invasive species enter Ontario. Invasive species that are already established in Ontario might spread to new areas of the province because of climate change.
Some of the ways invasive species enter and spread across Ontario are listed below.
- All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
- Aquarium, water garden and pet trades
- Ballast water
- Canals and changes to waterways
- Gardening and landscaping
- Movement of live fish and bait
- Movement or transport of topsoil
- Recreational and commercial boating
- Transport of animal carcasses or products made from them
- Transport of raw wood and other forest products
- Water transport and using water for dust control on roads
