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 Freshwater Fish Micropterus dolomieu | Other Names: Smallie, Brown Bass, Black Bass Description Smallmouth Bass have a robust, brown-green body with a white belly. They have dark vertical bars on their sides, and dark horizontal bars on their head. Average length is 9–15 in (23–38 cm). Dorsal fin is spiny. Habitat & Impact
Fact Sheet MARINE ANIMAL Styela, Ascidiella, Ciona Spp. | Other Name: Sea Squirt Description Solitary Tunicates are small marine filter-feeding animals, sometimes referred to as sea squirts. They look somewhat like fingers, or cylinders with two siphons at the top. They have thick, muscular skin that looks like a tunic, and can retract or close
Fact Sheet MARINE ANIMAL Ciona, Botryllus, & Botrylloides spp. | Other Name: Sea Squirt Description Small marine, filter-feeding animals, sometimes referred to as sea squirts, live attached to underwater objects. Some, like the Vase Tunicate, grow as large solitary individuals. Others, like the Golden Star and Violet tunicates, grow colonially in large, spreading mats. Violet
Fact Sheet fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans Description Pseudogymnoascus destructans is a fungal pathogen that causes the disease known as White-Nose Syndrome. This disease is characterized by a white fungus that grows on a bat’s snout, wings, and ears. It grows well in cool and humid underground sites, such as caves and other bat hibernacula. Suffering from
Fact Sheet VASCULAR Angelica sylvestris Description Large biennial member of the carrot family commonly 1-2 m tall when flowering from July to September. Small, fragrant white to pale-lilac flowers born on thick bamboo-like stalks with purplish joints in an umbel (umbrella) formation. Leaves are pinnately compound and leaf-sheaths are enlarged. Leaflets are ovate, often lobed,
Fact Sheet Vascular Plant Nymphoides peltata | Other Names: Fringed Water Lily, Water Fringe Description Yellow Floating Heart is a bottom-rooted, floating-leaved aquatic plant. Its leaves are round, heart or kidney-shaped, 3–15 cm in diameter, and have somewhat wavy edges that are often tinged purple-brown beneath. It has several flowers which bloom on individual stalks
Fact Sheet Vascular Plant Iris pseudacorus | Other Names: Yellow Flag Iris Description This perennial wetland plant has three drooping petal flowers that are bright yellow, but sometimes have brown spots or purple veins. The flowers, which bloom from April through July, form at the top of stems which can be between 3 cm–1 m
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