Invasive Vascular Plants - Pacific Rim

This program aims to capture the extent of eradicated English Ivy (Hedera helix) and two species of invasive beachgrasses (European beachgrass/European marram grass (Ammophila arenaria) and American beachgrass (Ammophila breviligulata) relative to the total extent mapped in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Areas of known or suspected distribution of invasive plants are mapped and treated as resources allow. The projects generally follow four phases: discovery, mapping, initial treatment (removal), followed by monitoring and additional treatments until the patch is free of the invasives. Our measure is assessed by comparing the area from which invasive plants have been removed to the sum of the area of occurrences mapped to date. These datasets help to track the establishment and area of distribution of invasive plants while also assessing effectiveness of eradication efforts undertaken by the Park. The invasion of exotic plant species has been recognised as one of the most serious global risks to natural plant communities. They may out-compete the native plants for light (such as English Ivy) and they can change an entire habitat, placing sensitive ecosystems at risk (invasive beachgrasses have the potential to alter the sand budget, sand movement and thus entire foreshore and dune ecosystems, posing a threat to rare or sensitive dune plants and associated species).