Invasive Species In Canada
Invasive Species
The invasion of non-native species is one of the United Nation’s top five environmental concerns; however the term invasive species is one which many people do not fully understand. It is a term used in the media, by governments and ecologists, to indicate to the public that a new species has entered an area, and usually very little is said afterwards, however many people do not realise the severity and long term effects of invasive species in their area and worldwide. Unfortunately this attitude is what makes the problem worse. In Canada alone there are hundreds of known invasive species including insects, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, crustaceans, aquatic and terrestrial plants, marine and freshwater fish, algae, fungi, and molluscs. Many species are able to incorporate into the existing environment without harming it; however there has been an increasing number of invasive species that cause uncontrollable damage to local ecosystems. Some better known examples this type of invasive species in Canada include the emerald ash borer, zebra mussels, sea lamprey and purple loosestrife. …show more content…
In earlier times some species, such as the rainbow and brown trout and chinook salmon were intentionally released to improve local fishing conditions. Other species were intentionally released to combat more threatening species, and were transported accidently, or escaped and spread to other areas. Nevertheless the single largest contributor to the introduction of invasive species has been by international cargo ships, which carry up to 20,000 tonnes of ballast water used to stabilize the ship, especially on rough water. These ships empty and re-fill their ballast tanks at their destination releasing hundreds of aquatic species from its originating
The invasion of non-native species is one of the United Nation’s top five environmental concerns; however the term invasive species is one which many people do not fully understand. It is a term used in the media, by governments and ecologists, to indicate to the public that a new species has entered an area, and usually very little is said afterwards, however many people do not realise the severity and long term effects of invasive species in their area and worldwide. Unfortunately this attitude is what makes the problem worse. In Canada alone there are hundreds of known invasive species including insects, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, crustaceans, aquatic and terrestrial plants, marine and freshwater fish, algae, fungi, and molluscs. Many species are able to incorporate into the existing environment without harming it; however there has been an increasing number of invasive species that cause uncontrollable damage to local ecosystems. Some better known examples this type of invasive species in Canada include the emerald ash borer, zebra mussels, sea lamprey and purple loosestrife. …show more content…
In earlier times some species, such as the rainbow and brown trout and chinook salmon were intentionally released to improve local fishing conditions. Other species were intentionally released to combat more threatening species, and were transported accidently, or escaped and spread to other areas. Nevertheless the single largest contributor to the introduction of invasive species has been by international cargo ships, which carry up to 20,000 tonnes of ballast water used to stabilize the ship, especially on rough water. These ships empty and re-fill their ballast tanks at their destination releasing hundreds of aquatic species from its originating