Impacts
Last Review/Updated: November 29, 2004
Invasive plants can have a range of impacts on native ecosystems and commercial values where they invade. These plants have the ability to out-compete native or desired species, potentially displacing native threatened and endangered species, impeding the successful reclamation of disturbed sites, delaying forest succession, and altering wildlife habitat.
The economic impacts of invasive plants in the forests of Alberta are not as thoroughly understood as those realized in agricultural areas. Although, invasive exotic plants are known to reduce forage production of the grazed portion of the Green Area, as defined in the Timber Management Regulation 60/73.
