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Andy's Northern Ontario WildflowersInvasive Plants in Ontario |
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What is an invasive species?Invasive plants are species that are not native to a region or country. Invasive plants have the biological ability and / or lack of natural control agents to compete with, and replace, native species in natural habitats. Some invasive alien plants were introduced by people when they moved to North America. These plants were introduced for food, medicine, or just to remind the folks of their homeland. Other alien plants arrived hidden in soil that was once commonly used as ship ballast, in bales of hay used as fodder, in natural packing materials, and in bags of crop seeds. Not all invasive plants are alien to Canada. Some native Canadian species such as Manitoba maple (Acer negundo) and common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) extended their Canadian ranges in response to human activities. Manitoba maple now grows in areas well beyond its original area because it grows quickly and seeds itself readily in a variety of disturbed habitats, especially in and around urban centres. Milkweed has spread widely because of the large expanses of open fields that were created by the cutting the eastern forests. This page provides information on some invasive plants present in Ontario that have a significant detrimental impact on native ecosystems. Information about Invasive PlantsA Canadian Wildlife Service publication describes plants that are invasive to natural habitats in Canada.
Invasive plants
of natural habitats in Canada:
The following information is synthesized from that report. The impact of invasive plants is varied, but at the very least, invasive plants threaten our native plants. More information about the impact of invasive plants is found at:
Principal Upland Invasive Alien Plants:The following is a list of alien species that occupy upland habitats that are considered to represent the most significant threat to natural areas.
Principal Upland Invasive Alien Plants:
Moderate Upland Invasive Alien Plants:
Minor Upland Invasive Alien Plants:
Potentially Upland Invasive Alien Plants:The following are listed as potentially invasive aliens of upland natural areas:
Principal Wetland Invasive Alien Plants:The following is a list of alien species that occupy wetland habitats that are considered to represent the most significant threat to natural areas.
Minor Wetland Invasive Alien Plants:The following invasive are considered to present only a minor or local threat to wetland natural areas.
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For more
information email: ajfyon@vianet.on.ca
URL: http://www.ontariowildflower.com/invasive_plants.htm
© 2003 - 2004 Andy
Fyon
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Page Created By: |
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Date last modified: |
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Andy Fyon |
April 19, 2003 |
