Biodiversity Invasive Species

Introduction

The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) co-ordinates and manages aquatic invasive species programs and projects to prevent the introduction and spread of these non-native species into Ontario waters.

Alien species (also known as introduced, non-native or exotic) are plants, animals and micro-organisms introduced into areas beyond their normal range by human actions.

The introduction may be:

· deliberate or accidental

· beneficial or harmful

· from other continents, neighbouring countries or from other ecosystems within Canada

Invasive species are those alien species whose introduction and spread threatens the environment, the economy or society, including human health.

Invasive species are recognized as a serious problem that threatens global biodiversity and human health worldwide. They are one of the leading causes of native species becoming rare, threatened or endangered.

In the Great Lakes Basin alone, nearly 200 species from around the world have been introduced, including such well known species as the sea lamprey, zebra mussel, round goby, waterfleas and purple loosestrife.

Many of these species have had negative economic and ecological impacts on the Great Lakes Basin. For example, the invasion of the zebra mussel has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars being spent to control and maintain industrial water supplies. Many species have negative effects on native fish communities and important recreational and commercial fisheries.

It can be extremely difficult and costly to remove introduced species once they are established. Control measures are usually very expensive and may be harmful to the environment. Preventing the introduction of invasive species is the key to avoiding long-term harm to our ecosystems.