Beech Bark Disease
Fact Sheet INSECT & FUNGUS Cryptococcus fagisuga & Neonectria spp. Description Disfigured Beech trees are the result of a combination of the exotic Beech Scale
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Invasive species are plants, animals and micro-organisms that have been introduced into areas beyond their native range and negatively impact the environment, the economy, or society.
It is widely accepted that invasive species are an immense threat to biodiversity worldwide. In Canada alone, more than 20% of our species at risk are threatened with extinction by invasive species. Invasive species cause harm in several ways. For example, they may eat native species, take their food and space, contribute to soil degradation and erosion, introduce new diseases, and degrade water quality and habitat. The destruction caused by invasive species also has adverse effects on human life. Invasive species can damage buildings and roads. From an economic viewpoint, invasive species greatly impact productivity and profit in forestry, agricultural, and fishing industries – as well as reducing recreational opportunities.
Humans are largely responsible for the movement of invasive species from one area to another. Many human-assisted pathways have permitted the introduction of invasive species in Nova Scotia. Examples of these pathways include – but are certainly not limited to – horticultural trade, aquarium trade, the movement of shipping containers, ballast water tanks in cargo ships, recreational boating, and the release of species for hunting or angling purposes. Once established, invasive species can spread naturally, or be moved further by human activities such as outdoor recreation, release of pets into the environment, or movement of firewood.
Everyday activities often contribute to the spread of invasive species. For example, buying products from overseas requires transportation via container ships; those ships may inadvertently transport invasive species to Nova Scotia. Buying local products and reducing your overall ecological footprint not only helps to reduce habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, and overexploitation of natural resources – it is also fundamental for the prevention of invasive species introductions across the globe.
Fact Sheet INSECT & FUNGUS Cryptococcus fagisuga & Neonectria spp. Description Disfigured Beech trees are the result of a combination of the exotic Beech Scale
Fact Sheet INSECT Orchestes fagi Description The Beech Leaf-Mining Weevil is an insect pest of Beech (Fagus spp.) trees. Adult weevils are 2–3 mm long,
Fact Sheet vascular plant Carex flacca Description Cool-season sedge grow to a height of 30-45 cm and a width of 30-45 cm, forming a dense
Fact Sheet Vascular Plant Cabomba caroliniana Description Bottom-rooted, submersed aquatic plant. Stems usually 1-2 m but up to 10 m long. Underwater leaves opposite, fan-like
Fact Sheet Freshwater Fish Esox niger | Other Names: Pickerel, Water Wolf, Pike Description Long, narrow, torpedo-shaped, green body with a darker back and white
Fact Sheet MARINE ANIMAL Membranipora membranacea | Other Names: Lacy Crust Bryozoan, Kelp Lace Bryozoan Description The Coffin Box Bryozoan is a marine organism that
Fact Sheet MARINE ANIMAL Didemnum, Diplosoma, Botryllus, Botrylloides spp. | Other Name: Sea Squirt Description Colonial Tunicates are small marine filter-feeding animals, sometimes referred to
Fact Sheet Vascular Plant Phragmites australis ssp. australis | Elephant Grass, Giant Reedgrass Description Very tall, stout grass, often reaching heights of 3 m or
Fact Sheet Vascular Plant Cynanchum rossicum & louiseae | Black Swallowwort Description Herbaceous vine growing 1-2 metres high and twining onto plants or trees. Leaves
Fact Sheet Insect & Fungus Hylurgopinus, Scotylus, & Ophiostoma spp Description Dead and dying White Elm trees. Results from several different microscopic sac fungi (all
Fact Sheet INSECT Agrilus planipennis Description The Emerald Ash Borer is a narrow, elongated beetle that is 8.5–14 mm long, and 3.1 –3.5 mm wide.
Fact Sheet VASCULAR PLANT Alliaria petiolata Description Herbaceous biennial, with vegetative rosette in the first year. Leaves 2-12 cm wide, dark green, kidney shaped, smelling
Fact Sheet VASCULAR Heracleum mantegazzianum Description A perennial member of the carrot family which can grow to exceed 5m in height. Basal leaves lobed, coarsely
Fact Sheet Vacular Plant Frangula alnus | European Alder Buckthorn Description Single or many stemmed shrub or small tree, reaching heights of 6 m. Leaves
Fact Sheet CRUSTACEAN Carcinus maenas | Other Name: European Green Crab Habitat & Impact Green Crabs are common in shallow water of salt marshes, beaches
Fact Sheet INSECT, TREE PEST Adelges tsugae Description Hemlock Woolly Adelgid is an aphid-like insect that parasitizes Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) trees. The first generation
Fact Sheet VASCULAR PLANT Reynoutria japonica | Other Names: Mexican Bamboo, Fleeceflower Description Japanese Knotweed is a woody-stemmed herbaceous perennial 1-3 m tall, with annual
Fact Sheet VASCULAR PLANT Rosa multiflora | Common names: Multiflower Rose, Rambler Rose Description Multiflora Rose is a woody shrub that grows up to 3
Fact Sheet VASCULAR PLANT Acer platanoides Description Norway Maple is a large deciduous tree that grows up to 18 m tall with a large crown.
Fact Sheet VASCULAR PLANT Celastrus orbiculatus | Asian Bittersweet Description Deciduous woody vine or trailing shrub. Can reach heights of over 18 m. Leaves simple,
Fact Sheet Marine Macroalgae Codium fragile | Codium, Dead Man’s Fingers Description Green alga shaped like a small bush, velvety and spongy to the touch.
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