Alien Invaders

Stop!

Look

What do you see?

Maybe a plant that should not be?

We call them invasive, now we’ll be persuasive, on why you should stop them from being pervasive.

Invasive species don’t live in an ecosystem naturally but were brought in through human activity. These species are essentially bullies – they push out native species (ones that live there naturally) from the ecosystem by taking over their habitat and food!

Here are a few examples of invasive species that can be found in the biosphere – have you seen any of them!?

Japanese Knotweed

Japanese knotweed came to the biosphere from eastern Asia and is often mistaken for bamboo. Japanese knotweed has a tall, hollow stem, its leaves are shaped like a shovel or heart, and will have creamy white flowers on it in the summer. Its roots can even break through concrete and asphalt!

London Japanese Knotweed Removal

Round Goby

The round goby came from Europe’s Caspian and Black Sea. They are a concern for many reasons: they can spawn (produce more fish) multiple times a year, eat the food that native species rely on to survive, and will even eat the eggs of native fish!

Ontario's Invading Species Awareness Program

Zebra Mussels

Zebra Mussels also came from Europe’s Caspian and Black Sea. They are triangular and are black or brown with a white to yellow zig-zag pattern. These invaders consume a lot of the algae and zooplankton (a microscopic water animal) found in Georgian Bay, stealing it from young fish and other native species. Beware, their sharp shells can even cut swimmers feet!

Ontario's Invading Species Awareness Program

If you think you have found an invasive species you can report it to the invasive species hotline at 1-800-563-7711 and learn more online: www.invadingspecies.com/invading-species-reporting

Three cheers for the plants and animals who call the biosphere home!