Indicator 5 – Exotic Species

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Note: This indicator will be addressed fully, with detailed information and an assessment, in a future edition of the report.

Some exotic species pose significant environmental and economic threats. A few may provide important economic benefits.

Exotic species are non-indigenous plants, animals and pathogens.
Some exotic species are invasive. They spread rapidly and can disrupt indigenous species, nutrient cycling and water flow. This can reduce biological diversity, tree growth and agricultural yields. They could also result in export restrictions on B.C.’s forest products.
The economic impacts of invasive species can amount to millions of dollars annually.
Some fast-growing, non-indigenous tree species may offer benefits such as greater timber production than indigenous species and better adaptation to climate change. Some risk exists, however, that exotic species could become invasive or hybridize with closely related indigenous species, leading to disruption of ecosystem processes.
Effective control strategies of exotic insects and diseases are impeded by a lack of knowledge about their behaviour in their new environment.

Forest and range activities (see Timber harvest, Silviculture and Range) can contribute to the spread of invasive exotic plants, insects and pathogens.
The presence of exotic species in B.C.’s forest products could lead to restrictions on exports (see Forest products).
Effective control requires an enabling regulatory framework (see Law) and sound understanding of the behaviour of exotic insects and diseases in their new environment (see Knowledge, Management capacity).


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