COSTS AND THREATS OF INVASIVE SPECIES TO ALBERTA’S NATURAL RESOURCES Costs and Threats of Invasive Species to Alberta’s Natural Resources A.S. McClay K.M. Fry E.J. Korpela R.M. Lange L.D. Roy Alberta Research Council March 2004 Edmonton DISCLAIMER This report is intended to provide Sustainable Resource Development staff with up-to-date information regarding the ecological and economic impacts of and potential threats from Alberta’s invasive alien species. The opinions, findings and recommendations expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the government of Alberta. For copies of this report, contact: Information Centre Main Floor, 9920 108 Street Edmonton, Alberta CANADA T5K 2M4 Phone: (780) 944-0313 FAX: (780) 427-4407 Email: [email protected] ISBN No. 0-7785-2956-8 (Printed Edition) ISBN No. 0-7785-2957-6 (On-line Edition) Pub No. T/054 (Printed, On-line Edition) ii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................................................vi LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................................................................vii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................ix 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................1 2. METHODS AND DATA SOURCES .............................................................................................3 2.1. Compilation of species lists ...................................................................................................3 2.2. Selection of major invasive species in each category .........................................................3 2.3. Introduction pathways ...........................................................................................................4 2.4. Identification of threats ..........................................................................................................4 3. LISTING OF INVASIVE SPECIES CURRENTLY PRESENT IN ALBERTA ...........................5 3.1. Terrestrial plants .....................................................................................................................5 3.2. Terrestrial invertebrates .........................................................................................................6 3.3. Terrestrial vertebrates ............................................................................................................6 3.4. Aquatic organisms ..................................................................................................................6 3.5. Plant and wildlife diseases ....................................................................................................6 4. STATUS OF MAJOR INVASIVE SPECIES IN ALBERTA BY CATEGORY ............................6 4.1. Terrestrial plants – non-agronomics ....................................................................................7 4.1.1. Canada thistle .................................................................................................................7 4.1.2. Common tansy ...............................................................................................................8 4.1.3. Scentless chamomile ......................................................................................................8 4.1.4. Tall buttercup .................................................................................................................9 4.1.5. Oxeye daisy ............................................................................................................................10 4.2. Terrestrial plants – escaped agronomics ..................................................................................11 4.2.1. Smooth brome ........................................................................................................................11 4.2.2. Kentucky bluegrass ..............................................................................................................12 4.2.3. Timothy ....................................................................................................................................13 4.2.4. Crested wheatgrass ...............................................................................................................14 4.2.5. White clover ............................................................................................................................16 4.3. Terrestrial vertebrates ...................................................................................................................17 4.3.1. Feral cats ..................................................................................................................................17 4.3.2. House sparrow .......................................................................................................................18 4.3.3. European starling ..................................................................................................................18 4.3.4. Feral dogs ................................................................................................................................19 4.3.5. Norway and Black or Roof Rat ..........................................................................................19 4.4. Terrestrial invertebrates ................................................................................................................20 4.4.1. Seven-spotted ladybird beetle ...........................................................................................20 4.5. Aquatic organisms .........................................................................................................................20 4.5.1. Brown trout .............................................................................................................................20 4.6. Plant and wildlife diseases ...........................................................................................................21 4.6.1. West Nile virus ......................................................................................................................21 4.6.2. Brucellosis ...............................................................................................................................21 4.6.3. Bovine tuberculosis ...............................................................................................................22 4.6.4. White pine blister rust ..........................................................................................................22 5. ECONOMIC/ECOLOGICAL COSTS AND IMPACTS..................................................................24 5.1. Terrestrial plants .............................................................................................................................24 iii 5.2. Terrestrial vertebrates ...........................................................................................................25 5.3. Terrestrial invertebrates ........................................................................................................25 5.4. Aquatic organisms .................................................................................................................26 5.4.1. Vertebrates .....................................................................................................................26 5.4.2. Invertebrates ..................................................................................................................27 5.5. Plant and wildlife diseases ...................................................................................................28 6. INTRODUCTION PATHWAYS...................................................................................................28 6.1. General ....................................................................................................................................28 6.2. Past introductions into Alberta ............................................................................................28 6.3. Potential sources of new introductions ..............................................................................29 6.3.1. Trade ...............................................................................................................................29 6.3.2. Natural dispersal ...........................................................................................................31 6.3.3. Recreation .......................................................................................................................31 6.3.4. Seed .................................................................................................................................31 7. POTENTIAL THREATS ................................................................................................................32 7.1. Terrestrial plants ....................................................................................................................32 7.1.1. Salt-cedar ........................................................................................................................32 7.1.2. Yellow star thistle ..........................................................................................................33