Biodiversity

Thousands upon thousands of plant, animal, and microorganisms species within different ecosystems of the planet such as rainforests, oceans, coral reefs, and deserts all making up are planet is known as biodiversity.

Why should we care about declining biodiversity? Biodiversity boots ecosystem productivity where each species, no matter how small, all have an important role. For instance, a large number of plant species means a greater variety of crops, greater species diversity ensure sustainability for all life forms, and healthy ecosystems can better withstand and recover from a variety of disasters.

Currently, a major threat to Canada’s biodiversity is invasive species. Invasive species are “pests” that come from other countries or regions and are called “alien” when they move outside their native environment. Invasive species degrade habitat, introduce parasites and disease, and lead to species at risk. Invasive speciecs move into ecosystems and take over, killing local species and harming food webs.

In addition, fishing, hunting, forestry, tourism and agriculture can all be affected by invasive species. Some examples of invasive species are zebra muscles, sea lamprey, and emerald ash borer. In the Great Lakes Basin, invasive species foul water intakes, reduce the value of commercial and recreational fisheries, and reduce property values. Every year invasive plants cost the agriculture and forest industries in Canada about $7.5 billion. In the Great Lakes, damage associated with zebra mussels has cost between $3 billion and $7.5 billion. Fighting and preventing the spread of invasive species is also extremely expensive. That’s why the best plan is to prevent invasive species from entering Ontario in the first place.

Lastly invasive species can be dangerous to human health. For example, giant hogweed, a plant introduced from Asia, is toxic. The plant’s sap can cause painful burning blisters on skin and  temporary or permanent blindness if it gets in your eyes.