Native, non-native, and invasive Alberta plants

Question 1

What is a native species?

Answer 1

A species that has been in an area for a long period of time and has co-evolved with other native species so that they don’t outcompete each other. They are adapted to local conditions

Question 2

How sensitive are native species to disturbances?

Answer 2

Usually pretty sensitive

Question 3

What 3 trees are important native species in the Aspen parkland?

Answer 3

Trembling aspen (a keystone species), white spruce, Manitoba maple

Question 4

What 3 shrubs are important native species in the Aspen parkland?

Answer 4

Saskatoons, red-osier dogwood, chokecherry

Question 5

What 3 native species are very important in the Fescue prairies?

Answer 5

Rough fescue, prairie crocus, two-grooved milkvetch

Question 6

What is a non-native species?

Answer 6

A species that has been brought from elsewhere and introduced into the ecosystem, but it isn’t outcompeting the native species and causing problems

Question 7

When would a non-native species be good?

Answer 7

If it fills a similar niche to a native plant that is relatively rare. They can help out pollinators and be used in agriculture

Question 8

Is the non-native European mountain ash bad for the ecosystem?

Answer 8

No, it has a very similar role to the Western mountain ash. The European mountain ash is taller and is more common than the Western mountain ash. They are both essential survival food for birds in the winter, so healthier bird populations can be supported

Question 9

What is a weed?

Answer 9

A plant that is growing somewhere we don’t want it to

Question 10

Are all non-native species weeds?

Answer 10

No, what we call a weed is pretty arbitrary and has no ecological significance

Question 11

What is an invasive species?

Answer 11

A non-native species that is out of control and is out-competing everything else in the ecosystem

Question 12

Are all weeds invasive species?

Answer 12

No, but a lot of them are

Question 13

What are the two leading causes of biodiversity loss worldwide?

Answer 13

Habitat loss and invasive species

Question 14

Why do invasive species end up outcompeting native species?

Answer 14

They haven’t been co-evolving with the local population, so they have a huge advantage coming in

Question 15

What are the 3 ways to manage an invasive species before it invades?

Answer 15

1. How sensitive is a particular environment to invasion
2. The biology and potential impact of the invasive species
3. Regular monitoring to catch the invasion early and control it

Question 16

What are 5 ways we control weeds?

Answer 16

Soil management, manual removal, herbicides, biological control, encouraging native plant growth

Question 17

What are 4 things to consider when managing an invasive species?

Answer 17

1. How much has it already spread
2. What will the impact be
3. What is the value of the habitat
4. How hard is it to control

Question 18

Why do we need to consider how much the species has spread while trying to manage an invasive species?

Answer 18

A widespread species is extremely hard to control, so higher priority will be given to species that are in fewer places

Question 19

Why do we need to consider what the impact of the species will be while trying to manage an invasive species?

Answer 19

Will it threaten agriculture, grazing, or native ecosystems and how much

Question 20

Why do we need to consider what the value of the habitat is while trying to manage an invasive species?

Answer 20

Something that damages a highly disturbed site will be given less priority than something that disrupts a forest

Question 21

Why are dandelions and plantains not considered noxious weeds under the Alberta Weed Act?

Answer 21

They are absolutely impossible to control because they’re so common and widespread

Question 22

Why is Common Mullen considered a noxious weed under the Alberta Weed Act even though it could be used for land reclamation?

Answer 22

It is easy to control

Question 23

What is the story of Himalayan Balsam?

Answer 23

It was brought over initially because it was pretty and looked like an orchid, but now it’s out of control and erodes soil along riverbanks. However, it is great for reestablishing pollinators

Question 24

What is the story of Spotted Knapweed?

Answer 24

Very much an invasive species. It stunts the growth of other plants by releasing chemicals and destroys grazing habitats

Question 25

What is the story of Garlic Mustard?

Answer 25

Uses chemicals to kill off surrounding plants and their mycorrhizae. It isn’t invasive in Europe, where it was from, since it coevolved with everything there and they can deal with its shenanigans