Learning about Invasive Species in the LICA Region
Invasive species are introduced, non-native, invaders. They pose a great threat to the survival and success of our natural ecosystems and overall biodiversity. Invasive Species can be plants (terrestrial and aquatic), animals, fish, invertebrates, pathogens, and insects.
Let’s Talk Water
Aquatic Invasive Species
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Environmental DNA (eDNA), Early Detection Monitoring Summer 2025 will be the first year of LICA’s new eDNA early-detection Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) monitoring program! Various invasive species of high priority will be included in the monitoring program including, but not limited to, Quagga & Zebra Mussels, Eurasian Water Milfoil, Crayfish spp., invasive fishes, etc. eDNA samples will be collected and analyzed to catch the earliest signs of invasive species in our watershed. eDNA is genetic material shed by organisms into their environment. This analysis of eDNA, collected from a sample of water or sediment, allows researchers to identify the organisms present at a location. eDNA analysis is an effective tool for early detection of aquatic invasive species. It allows the detection of invasive species before they can be seen, when they are hard to visually identify and when abundance is still low (Government of Canada, 2024). This program is made possible by a generous donation received from P. Kim Sturgess; the founder and CEO of Water SMART, and Patrick Hanington from the University of Alberta for his in-kind support in data analysis!
Alberta Lake Management Society (ALMS), LakeWatch Monitoring In partnership with the ALMS, aquatic invasive species are monitored each year in the LICA Region, as part of the LakeWatch program! This program supports monitoring for invasive Eurasian Watermilfoil, Spiny Water Flea, and Invasive Mussels along with other water quality parameters at select lakes in the region. These species have NOT been identified in the LICA Region lakes sampled, to date. Click here for more information, on the LakeWatch monitoring program. |
Did you Know?
One female mussel can produce up to a million eggs in a year & only fragments of Eurasian watermilfoil plants will form a whole new plant.
Many aquatic invasive species are very difficult to eradicate once they are established, so prevention is essential. Invasive mussels can cause millions of dollars in damage to water-operated infrastructure, disrupt natural food chains, create toxic algal blooms that can kill fish and birds, decrease property values, and reduce recreational enjoyment of natural areas (Government of Alberta, 2018). Report aquatic invasive species to Alberta’s Invasive Species Hotline at 1-855-336-BOAT (2628)
Have your boat inspected – it is mandatory for all watercraft to stop for an inspection in Alberta!
Let’s Talk Weeds
Invasive Plant Species
Invasive plants do not provide deep-binding root mass for bank protection and provide minimal structure and habitat diversity when present in high densities. Terrestrial weeds impact wildlife/livestock by replacing vegetation used for food and shelter (Beaver River IWMP, 2023). In Alberta, invasive plants are regulated by the Alberta Weed Control Act. There are two main categories; Noxious and Prohibited Noxious Weeds. For more information on provincially regulated weeds, please visit, https://www.alberta.ca/provincially-regulated-weeds.
Prohibited Noxious Weed Poster
Noxious Weed Poster
Potential Spread
LICA’s Most Wanted Weeds
Invasive plant species included below are of concern in the LICA Region, based on local municipality vegetation management programs. Contact your local municipalities regarding vegetation management in your area.
Baby's Breath
Noxious, Must be Controlled See Facts Sheet
Bighead Knapweed
Prohibited Noxious, Must be Destroyed See Facts Sheet
Canada Thistle
Noxious, Must be Controlled See Facts Sheet
Common Tansy
Noxious, Must be Controlled See Facts Sheet
Creeping Bellflower
Noxious, Must be Controlled See Facts Sheet
Eurasian Watermilfoil
Prohibited Noxious, Must be Destroyed See Facts Sheet
Field Scabious
Noxious, Must be Controlled See Facts Sheet
Flowering Rush
Prohibited Nocious, Must be Destroyed See Facts Sheet
Himalayan Balsam
Prohibited Noxious, Must be Destroyed See Facts Sheet
Hoary Alyssum
Prohibited Noxious, Must be Destroyed See Facts Sheet
Leafy Spurge
Noxious, Must be Controlled See Facts Sheet
Meadow Hawkweed
Prohibited Noxious, Must be Destroyed See Facts Sheet
Orange Hawkweed
Prohibited Noxious, Must be Destroyed See Facts Sheet
Oxeye Daisy
Noxious, Must be Controlled See Facts Sheet
Perennial Sow Thistle
Noxious, Must be Controlled See Facts Sheet
Purple Loosestrife
Prohibited Noxious, Must be Destroyed See Facts Sheet
Scentless Chamomile
Noxious, Must be Controlled See Facts Sheet
Sulphur Cinquefoil
Prohibited Noxious, Must be Destroyed See Facts Sheet
Tall Buttercup
Noxious, Must be Controlled See Facts Sheet
White Cockle
Noxious, Must be Controlled See Facts Sheet
Woolly Burdock
Noxious, Must be Controlled See Facts Sheet
Yellow Clematis
Noxious, Must be Controlled See Facts Sheet
Yellow Toadflax
Noxious, Must be Controlled See Facts Sheet
What can you do to prevent the spread of Invasive Species?
- Clean, Drain, Dry, all your gear,
- Clean shoes, pets, and gear after trail use,
- Don’t Let it Loose; be a responsible pet owner,
- Learn how to identify invasive species and report all new sightings,
- Plant only native plant species on your property
LICA promotes the awareness of invasive species and in support of Alberta’s ‘Don’t Let it Loose’, and ‘Clean, Drain, Dry’, Campaigns, resources are dispersed in the community and are available at the LICA office.
When it is time to say goodbye to your beloved pet fish, pick up a biodegradable fish burial pod from our office, don’t flush it. Flushing fish can have negative effects on native fish populations and goldfish are invasive in Alberta’s natural waterbodies.
Watershed Management
Beaver River IWMP
In the development of the Beaver River Integrated Watershed Management Plan (IWMP), LICA made recommendations for invasive species as they pertain to biodiversity. Actions related to stopping the spread of species such as Himalayan Balsam and various aquatic invasive species were included. Please refer to section 9.6.4, for more information on invasive species actions for implementation.