The Invasion of Coastal BC: How Invasive Species Displace Native

Plants in Forest Ecosystems

Resource document for pre-outing lesson on invasive species on coastal BC forest ecosystem

Title: Invasive Species Displacement in Coastal BC Forest Ecosystems - Resource Document

Introduction: rationale for teaching invasive species displacement in a coastal BC forest context
- Natural Beauty: Coastal BC is celebrated for its pristine landscapes, diverse wildlife, and
natural splendor, making it a captivating region for ecological exploration and tourism.
- Invasive Species Threat: an existential threat exists in the form of invasive species since
non-native organisms negatively affect the balanced and delicate ecosystem.
- Defining Invasive Species: Invasive species, often introduced by human activities,
establish themselves in new environments and can rapidly outcompete native species for
resources.
- Vulnerability Factors: Coastal BC's strategic location near international shipping routes
and its historical ties to global trade have made it susceptible to invasive species
introductions.
- Disruption of Balance: Invasive species disrupt the ecosystem's equilibrium by altering
soil composition, nutrient cycling, and even fire patterns, impacting the entire ecosystem.
- Exploring the Issue: This resource will give the foundational learning to run a field trip
for an invasive species clean up day.

Introduction of Invasive Species

- Invasive species are non-native, introduced through human activities.
- Proximity to shipping routes and trade increases vulnerability.
o Rats were introduced to North America through shipping in the 18th century
o Scotch broom was planted deliberately as a flowering perennial in Sooke in 1850
by a shipping captain
o Earthworms were introduced to North America through shipping. Tall ships would
load their hulls with earthen ballast in Europe, and the soil contained earthworms.
Offloading the ballast in North American colonies introduced the worms.
- Invasive species disrupt the balance of native flora and fauna.

Competitive Advantage
- Rapid Growth:
o Invasive species grow rapidly, outpacing native species.
 o They establish quickly and monopolize resources like sunlight, water, and
nutrients.
- Prolific Reproduction:
o Invasives have high reproductive rates, producing numerous seeds or propagules.
o This allows for a rapid increase in population size and colonization of areas.
- Adaptability:
o Invasive species are highly adaptable to various environmental conditions.
o They can thrive in different ecosystems within the coastal BC forest.
- Resistance to Herbivores and Pathogens:
o Invasives often lack natural predators or herbivores in their new habitat.
o This absence allows them to allocate more resources to growth and reproduction.
- Early Germination and Establishment:
o Some invasive species germinate and establish themselves earlier in the growing
season.
o This head start in resource acquisition limits the growth of native species.
- Example: Himalayan blackberry forming dense, shading thickets.

Alteration of Ecosystem Dynamics

- Invasive species change soil chemistry, nutrient cycling, and fire regimes.
- Soil Chemistry Changes:
o Invasive species release chemicals that inhibit native plant growth (allelopathy).
o This can create "dead zones" where native plants struggle to grow.
- Nutrient Cycling Disruption:
o Invasive species alter nutrient cycling processes.
o They may have different nutrient requirements or lack symbiotic relationships
with native mycorrhizal fungi, affecting nutrient uptake.
- Fire Regime Modification:
o Some invasive species, like cheatgrass, increase wildfire frequency and intensity.
o Alters ecological conditions, threatening native plants adapted to historical fire
regimes.
- Changes in Microbial Communities:
o Invasive plants influence soil microbial communities.
o These communities are vital for nutrient cycling and plant health.
- Hydrological Impacts:
o Invasive plants modify hydrology by increasing soil erosion and altering water
flow patterns.
o Affects both aquatic and terrestrial habitats, leading to water quality issues and
habitat degradation.
- Altered Successional Pathways:
o Invasive species disrupt natural successional pathways.
 o Changes affect how ecosystems recover after disturbances (e.g., wildfires or
logging), reducing resilience and native plant support.
- Example: English ivy can harm trees by strangling them, accelerating rot, attracting
mosquitoes, and causing mature trees to fall down during storms.

Displacement of Native Species

- Competitive Exclusion:
o Invasive species outcompete natives for resources (sunlight, water, nutrients)
o Weakens native plants.
- Reduced Native Populations:
o Natives face reduced growth, reproduction, and vigor due to invasive competition.
- Local Extinctions:
o Severe cases lead to native species disappearing from certain areas or
experiencing significant declines.
- Habitat Alterations:
o Invasives fill a niche that was previously occupied by a native species
o Changes the habitat structure, impacting nesting, hiding places, and food sources
for native wildlife.
- Impacts on Keystone Species:
o A keystone species is a species that has a disproportionately large effect on its
natural environment relative to its abundance
o Displacement of keystone species disrupts the entire ecosystem's stability and
function.
- Long-Term Consequences:
o Ecosystem diversity declines, and remaining natives may become less resilient to
other stressors like climate change.
- Example: Cascara and other native deciduous trees displaced by invasive cherry

Impact on Wildlife
- The displacement of native plants by invasive species has far-reaching consequences for
the wildlife inhabiting coastal BC forests.
- Food Source Disruption
o Many animal species, including birds, mammals, and insects, rely on native plants
as a primary food source.
o Invasive species can reduce or eliminate these food sources, leading to nutritional
stress and population declines.
o Example: the western tanager is a migratory bird that depends on insects and
native berries for its diet. The spread of invasive plants will reduce the availability
of these essential food items during migration.
- Habitat and Nesting Site Loss
 o Native plants offer crucial habitat elements like shelter, nesting sites, and hiding
places for various wildlife.
o When invasive species take over, they often alter the structure of the forest,
making it less suitable for native animals.
o Example: the declining availability of native shrubs like salal (Gaultheria shallon)
can impact the nesting habitat for songbirds like the varied thrush.
- Altered Plant-Animal Interactions
o Invasive species may not provide the same benefits as native plants in terms of
nectar, fruits, or pollen for pollinators like bees and butterflies.
o This disruption can affect the pollinators' survival and reduce their effectiveness
in pollinating both native and invasive plants.
o As a result, the reproductive success of many plant species, both native and
invasive, can be compromised.
- Cascading Effects on Predators
o When prey species decline due to invasive species' impact on plants, it affects the
predators that depend on them.
o Example: the reduction in berry-producing shrubs due to invasive species can lead
to decreased food availability for bears. This, in turn, can influence bear behavior
towards more aggressive predation and negative human encounters searching for
food.
- Shifts in Wildlife Distribution
o As invasive species alter the forest ecosystem, some native wildlife may be forced
to adapt, change their foraging habits, or migrate to find suitable habitats.
o These shifts can disrupt established ecological relationships and may result in
competition between native and non-native species, further affecting local
biodiversity.
o Example: population decline and behaviour impacts on berry-eating birds and
bears due to declining salmonberry populations.

Challenges in Management
- Eradication Difficulty:
o Invasive species are often well-established when detected.
o Eradication becomes challenging due to their widespread presence.
o Eradication efforts can be resource-intensive and time-consuming.
- Prevention and Early Detection:
o Preventing new invasions is more effective than eradication.
o Early detection and rapid response are critical but require constant vigilance.
o Monitoring systems and public awareness campaigns are essential for early
detection.
- Multiple Invasive Species:
o Coastal BC may face multiple invasive species simultaneously.
 o Managing various invaders with different characteristics and habitats can be
complex.
o Prioritizing control efforts and resources becomes a logistical challenge.
- Environmental Impact Assessment:
o Assessing the impact of control methods on the environment is crucial.
o Some control measures, such as herbicides, can have unintended consequences.
o Striking a balance between effective control and minimal environmental impact is
challenging.
- Resistance to Control Measures:
o Invasive species can develop resistance to control methods over time.
o This resistance may reduce the effectiveness of treatments.
o Ongoing research and adaptation of control strategies are necessary.
- Resource Constraints:
o Adequate funding and resources are necessary for invasive species management.
o Limited budgets and competing priorities can hinder control efforts.
o Collaboration among government agencies, NGOs, and communities is a proven
effective method to pool resources.
- Biocontrol Risks:
o Introducing biocontrol agents (e.g., insects or pathogens) to control invasives can
have unintended consequences.
o Biocontrol agents may harm non-target species or disrupt ecosystems.
o Careful selection and monitoring of biocontrol agents are required.
- Community Engagement and Education:
o Involving local communities in invasive species management is vital.
o Raising awareness and educating the public about the importance of control
measures can be challenging.
o Engaging communities in removal efforts can be resource-intensive but essential
for long-term success.
- Legislative and Regulatory Hurdles:
o Invasive species management may involve legal and regulatory challenges.
o Navigating permits, environmental laws, and land-use regulations can be time-
consuming.
o Collaboration between government agencies, landowners, and stakeholders is
crucial to overcome these hurdles.
- Climate Change Impact:
o Climate change can affect the distribution and behavior of invasive species.
o Invasive species may adapt to changing climate conditions and expand their
range.
o Monitoring and adapting management strategies in response to climate change
pose additional challenges.
- Continuous Monitoring and Research:
o Invasive species management requires ongoing research and monitoring.
o Gathering data on the effectiveness of control methods and adapting strategies
accordingly is essential.
o Maintaining the long-term commitment to monitoring and research can be a
logistical challenge.

Information on scotch broom and invasive cleanup resource and community

group https://www.broombusters.org/

Information on history and invasive progression of rats

https://aaacwildliferemoval.com/blog/rats/where-did-rats-originate/

How invasive plants affect established habitats Paper title: The evolutionary
impact of invasive species https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.091093398

BC Curriculum of Environmental Science 11

https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/curriculum/science/11/environmental-science

Keystone Species Information https://www.nrdc.org/stories/keystone-species-

101#examples