Zebra mussels, Eurasian water-milfoil and flowering rush are thriving in our rivers. Garlic mustard, swallow-wort (also known as dog-strangling vine), common buckthorn and glossy buckthorn are common in many of our natural areas, crowding out the native species that should be there. Many non-native invasive species have already reached Ottawa. They can have serious impacts on the ecological balance of their new home. These non-native species may have no local predators to control their spread, or may have devastating effects on local species which have not adapted to resist them. Humans have transported many species to new lands, whether deliberately in the case of livestock, pets, crops and garden plants, or inadvertently in the case of many species commonly regarded as pests. Although some native species could be considered invasive, they are usually kept in check by the natural balance of their local ecosystem, and are not of great concern compared to non-native invasive species. These species are called “invasive” due to their aggressive colonisation of new spaces. Species which are quick to reproduce and spread, and which thrive in a broad range of habitat conditions, can often out-compete other species.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |