2.0 IMPACTS OF INVASIVE PLANTS

2.1 Danger to Human Health and Safety

Some invasive plants such as Giant Hogweed cause human health concerns because their sap is toxic to skin. Certain fast-growing invasives, such as Phragmites , can lead to reduced visibility for drivers and pedestrians, increasing the risk of accidents. Dead, dry stalks of these plants are also highly combustible and can become a fire hazard. Many native plant species can pose similar risks to human health and safety, but a key difference with invasive plants is they become widespread and prevalent much faster than native plants. This makes preventing their spread and controlling them and the risks they pose to humans more difficult and important.

2.2 Socio-economic

Invasive plants can have a large economic impact on individual landowners, businesses and municipalities. In Ontario, the MNRF has been involved with Phragmites control pilot projects since 2007 and to date control costs range between $865 and $1,112 per hectare (OMNRF, 2012). Invasive species have a negative impact on approximately 20% of Species at Risk in Ontario (OMNRF, 2012), the cost to protect and restore these species will likely increase over time. The Trinational Commission for Environmental Cooperation reported that economic losses and the costs of environmental impacts caused by invasive species exceed $100 billion annually in the U.S. alone (OMNRF, 2012).

$865 - $1,112 PHRAGMITES CONTROL COST PER HECTARE