Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20Invasive species outcompete Invasive plant and fish species affect shoreline/ lake health and regrowth through competition for light, nutrients, habitat and food. As many of these invasive species have been introduced from other regions, the absence of competitors or predators means that they are able to outcompete and replace many native species. Aquatic ecosystems are especially vulnerable. Once established in an aquatic ecosystem, an invasive species is almost impossible to eliminate and control measures can be costly. A changing climate may also intensify the problem in the following ways: • A longer growing season can give invasive species a bigger advantage in their competition with native species. • Higher nitrogen levels are linked to a faster spread of invasive plants and increased resistance to herbicide applications. • Increasing water temperatures will result in native fish populations being replaced with invasive species that favour warm water. • Shifting species distributions provides an opportunity for invasive species to outcompete native species. Three of the most aggressive invasive plants that are already stressing Ontario’s shorelines and waters include: Phragmites, Japanese knotweed and Water soldier. Invasive Species on your waterfront property? Ontario has an Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System (EDDMapS Ontario) to detect and monitor the spread of invasive species in the province. Through EDDMapS Ontario you can report sightings of invasive species and view their local, regional or provincial distributions. It contains information profiles for over 150 different species, as well as tools for searching and downloading data. You can also set up alerts to be notified when a new species is detected in your area. Visit www.eddmaps.org/ontario for more information. 14 Invasive species Wasyl Bakowsky Francine MacDonald MNRF Andrea Hicks