Zebra mussels on native clam: C. Parks As a waterfront property owner it is important to be aware of invasive species that can threaten your property and your lake. Learn which invasive species may be present in your area already and how to identify them. Invasive Species Already in Ontario Zebra and quagga mussels Zebra and Quagga mussels are native to the Black, Caspian and Azov Seas of Eurasia and were introduced to North America in the late 1980s. It is believed they arrived as a freshwater ballast stowaway in commercial vessels from Europe. These mussels can have negative impacts on cottage country because they are capable of heavily colonizing hard and soft surfaces, including docks, boats, break walls and beaches. Invasions of these species are responsible for clogging intake structures in power stations and water treatment plants. These mussels will firmly attach to hard structures and surfaces causing significant damage affecting shoreline property owners and recreational boating. European Water Chestnut European water chestnut is an aquatic plant native to Europe, Asia and Africa, and is used in North America as an ornamental water garden plant. Ontario has regulated European water chestnut as a prohibited invasive species under the Invasive Species Act, 2015. Populations of European water chestnut in Ontario are causing a number of impacts. It forms dense mats on the surface of the water that make boating and angling extremely difficult. The plant also grows hard seeds that have sharp barded spines that can accumulate on shore and cause injury if stepped on. This species also outcompetes native shoreline plants for light and can create lower dissolved oxygen levels as the plant decomposes. 07 06 Emerald Ash Borer The Emerald ash borer is a forest pest native to Asia. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has prohibited the movement of firewood and any material made from ash trees outside of designated areas under an Infested Places Order. This pest is a highly invasive insect that has killed millions of ash trees in Ontario and the north-eastern United States. It attacks both healthy and stressed ash trees when its larvae tunnel through the tree’s vascular system which delivers water, nutrients and sugars throughout the tree. Once an ash tree is infested, the mortality rate of the tree is nearly 100%. An invasion of this insect in cottage country will result in loss of habitat and food for other native species and a loss of biodiversity. Dog-strangling vine Dog-strangling vine refers to two invasive plants native to Eurasia; Black dog-strangling vine (also known as black swallowort) and Dog-strangling vine (also known as pale swallowort). Ontario has regulated these invasive plants as restricted under the Invasive Species Act, 2015. This invasive plant grows aggressively by wrapping itself around trees and other plants, or trailing along the ground and can grow up to two meters in height. The dense stands these plants form can crowd out native plants and young trees, preventing forest regeneration. The dense mats of interwoven vines can also be difficult to walk through and may interfere with forest management and recreational activities at the cottage. White Nose Syndrome White nose syndrome is a fungal infection that causes high mortality rates in hibernating bats. The invasive fungus (Pseudogymnoascus destructans) originally came from Eurasia and was accidently transported to North America by humans. As of January 2015 more than six million bats in eastern North America have been killed by the fungus. White nose syndrome has been found in five species of bats native to Ontario (OMNRF, 2015). Declining bat populations in Ontario has the potential to greatly impact ecosystem function. Bats are predators of insects, including many crop and forest pests. Reductions in predation pressure from bats on insect populations will lead to increased numbers of insect pests at the waterfront (such as mosquitos). Invasive species and your waterfront property European water chestnut: F. MacDonald Dog-strangling vine: K.Towles, Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority White nose syndrome: L. Hale, MNRF Emerald ash borer: E. Czerwinski, MNRF