Preface
Heightened concerns in recent years over the alarming spread of the invasive purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), an introduced species from Eurasia, prompted the convening of a workshop in Ottawa in March, 1992 hosted by the Secretariat to the North American Wetlands Conservation Council (Canada). This workshop brought together specialists and resource managers from government, non-government and private sector agencies, such as the nursery trade and honey producers, across Canada. The meeting was held to solicit information, advice and assistance and seek consensus on practical solutions and national actions required for curbing the spread of this species.
To address the broader concerns of invasive alien plants of wetlands and other wildlife habitats, the Canadian Wildlife Service of Environment Canada contracted the Canadian Museum of Nature to summarize existing information on this subject in Canada. This included both a review of invasive plants of upland and wetland habitats and an evaluation of federal and provincial legislation dealing with noxious weeds and their potential use in controlling the spread of plants invasive in natural habitats. This report combines the results of these contracts. Part I of this report includes a review of invasive alien plants of wetland and upland habitats, and Part II examines legislation in Canada and its application to invasive plants of natural habitats.
Work continues on solutions for the control of purple loosestrife and other invasive plants. Legislative changes are also evolving in response to new information and growing public support for remedial actions. In time, certain information in this report will require updating to reflect these changes. The Canadian Wildlife Service will be monitoring these changes with the assistance of the Canadian Museum of Nature and federal and provincial agencies to ascertain if and when a revised report is warranted.
Acknowledgements
The Canadian Wildlife Service and the Canadian Museum of Nature would like to acknowledge the important assistance provided by a number of people.
First we would like to thank Mireille Boudreau and Jean-Guy Brisson, Canadian Museum of Nature Library, Ottawa, who made available extensive literature located through the computer database search facilities of the Museum Library. Illustrations for common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), flowering-rush (Butomus umbellatus), glossy buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula), purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), and reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) were originally prepared for J.M. Gillett, Canadian Museum of Nature, by Sally Gadd. Those for European frog-bit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae), Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), and leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), were drawn by Erich Haber.
Peter Harris, Agriculture Canada, Lethbridge, Alberta, reviewed the species treatments for Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), leafy spurge, spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa), and St. John's-wort (Hypericum perforatum). He also reviewed the section on biological control and provided unpublished research data. Rosemarie DeClerck-Floate, Agriculture Canada, Lethbridge, Alberta, also reviewed the section on biological control and the treatment of purple loosestrife. Gerry Lee, Canadian Wildlife Service, Ottawa, Ontario provided unpublished information on purple loosestrife.
We thank the following people for providing acts and regulations, and discussing their application and future plans: Brian Craig, Prince Edward Island Department of Agriculture; Roy Cranston, British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; Doug Billett, Saskatchewan Agriculture; Jo-Ann Buth, Manitoba Agriculture; Douglas Doohan, Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Marketing; Marian Jordan, Agriculture Canada; Pierre Lavigne, British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; Kevin McCully, New Brunswick Agriculture; Doug McLaren, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food; Emery Paquin, Northwest Territories Department of Renewable Resources; Bank Peterson, Yukon Department of Renewable Resources; Malcolm Stewart, Agriculture Canada; and Ross Travers, Newfoundland Department of Forestry and Agriculture.
We would also like to thank the large number of botanists across Canada who took time from their other projects and responded to our request for information about invasive species by returning the survey questionnaire and/or providing additional information on invasive species in their area: J. Ambrose, Metro Toronto Zoo, Toronto, Ontario; J. Bowles, Thorndale, Ontario; D. Brunton, Ottawa, Ontario; B. Cornish, Edmonton, Alberta; A. Crowder, Queens University, Kingston, Ontario; D. Cuddy, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Kemptville, Ontario; S. Darbyshire, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; R. DeClerck-Floate, Agriculture Canada, Lethbridge, Alberta; A. Dugal, Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Ontario; D. Fahselt, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario; C. Frankton, Ottawa, Ontario; D. Gagnon, Université du Québec in Montreal, Quebec; V. Harms, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; P. Harris, Agriculture Canada, Lethbridge, Alberta; N. Hill, Mount St. Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia; H. Hinds, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick; F. Houle, Saint-Rédempteur, Quebec; K. Johnson, Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature, Winnipeg, Manitoba; J. Kaiser, Mississauga, Ontario; J. Labrecque, Ministère de l'Environnement, Ste-Foy, Quebec; G. Lavoie, Ministère de l'Environnement, Ste-Foy, Quebec; Ian MacDonald, Calgary, Alberta; J. Morton, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario; R. Newell, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia; M. Oldham, Ministry of Natural Resources, Aylmer, Quebec; J. Reddoch, Ottawa, Ontario; A. Reznicek, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; J. Riley, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Aurora, Ontario; G. Scotter, Kelowna, British Columbia; G. Straley, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia; D. Sutherland, Walsingham, Ontario; M. Taylor, Federation of Ontario Naturalists, Toronto, Ontario; L.K. Thomas, Jr., National Park Service, Washington, D.C.; S. Varga, Toronto, Ontario; G. Waldron, Essex Region Conservation Authority, Amherstburg, Ontario; J. Webber, Mississauga, Ontario; R. Whiting, Weston, Ontario; and M. Zinck, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia.
Finally, the Canadian Wildlife Service would like to express its appreciation to the Canadian Museum of Nature and, in particular, Dr. Erich Haber, for agreeing to prepare this document. Due to the efforts of the Museum, this report is expected to add considerably to the knowledge of many agencies, organizations, institutions, and the general public who are concerned with the management and control of exotic invasive plants in Canada.
We especially thank the many respondents who offered additional information, suggested other invasive species, or sent copies of relevant literature. To all of these people we would like to express our sincere thanks. Editing and report production services by the Secretariat to the North American Wetlands Conservation Council (Canada) have facilitated all aspects of publication of this report.
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