Invasive species can have economic impacts by creating additional costs or lost revenue to industry, governments, and individuals. Click on the boxes below to learn more about the environmental impacts.
Economic Impacts of Invasive Species—Example
One study estimated that ten invasive species that impacted Canadian fishing, forestry, and agricultural industries caused a total of approximately $187 million per year in losses.1
1. Colautti, Robert .I, Bailey, S.A., van Overdijk, C.D, Amundsen, K. and Macisaac, H.Jet al. “Characterised and project costs of nonindigenous species in Canada.” Biological Invasions 8.1 (2006): 45–59.
Many industries are impacted by invasive species, including forestry, ranching, agriculture, tourism, transportation, and fisheries. In addition, invasive species can lead to export restrictions that impact our trade worldwide. Industry in BC can be negatively impacted by invasive species such as the gypsy moth, hoary alyssum, leafy spurge, and feral pigs.
Gypsy moth
Gypsy moth is a pest that can directly impact our native forests, our forest industry, and local fruit producers, and can result in trade restrictions on BC products if this species becomes well established. Every year, the Province of British Columbia monitors and controls new populations of gypsy moth to prevent the establishment of this damaging invasive pest.
Image left: Adult gypsy moth. Image right: An example of damage caused by gypsy moth.
Hoary alyssum
The presence of hoary alyssum is highly problematic in the interior of BC in particular, as ranchers and hay producers who have infestations of this species cannot use their ranch land for grazing or sell their hay due to the plant’s toxicity to horses.
Image left: Hoary alyssum moving into ranch lands. Image right: Hoary alyssum flowers form a small white cluster.
Leafy spurge
Leafy spurge is an invasive plant that has infested several million acres across the Great Plains of North America. This plant costs Manitoba $40.2 million annually in control efforts and losses to grazing, recreation, and habitat value. It is also found in many areas of BC.
Image left: Leafy spurge (Inset: close-up of flowers). Image right: Leafy spurge forming large infestation in natural area.
Feral pigs
Feral pigs can impact pig farmers through the spread of diseases such as African swine fever, and can completely destroy agricultural and natural areas due to their destructive foraging and wallowing behaviours. Although feral pigs have been reported in low numbers in BC, there are no established, self-sustaining populations that we are aware of.
Feral pigs are spreading throughout the prairie provinces and the United States.
Cost to governments
Provincial and local governments invest tax dollars each year to manage the ever-increasing threat and impacts of invasive species that, if left unchecked, could impact public safety, the environment, cultural values, the economy, and public infrastructure.
Zebra and quagga mussels
Should zebra/quagga mussels arrive in BC, it has been estimated that the minimum cost of damages would be $43 million annually. This estimate does not include the impact on commercial and recreational fisheries.2
Based on data from 2015, failing to prevent invasive freshwater mussels (dreissenids) from entering the Pacific Northwest states and western Canadian provinces would cost in excess of $500 million annually. In contrast, Pacific Northwest states and western provinces, as well as a few key states that are source states for dreissenids, are spending more than $13.2 million annually on prevention efforts.3 This example clearly shows how prevention is the more cost-effective way to manage invasive species, rather than waiting for them to arrive and spread.
In addition to the BC Invasive Mussel Defence Program, the BC provincial government invests over $8 million annually to manage the highest-priority invasive species and prevent them from establishing and spreading into new areas. This figure does not include costs to federal, local, or Indigenous governments, nor does it include the financial value of economic or environmental losses caused by invasive species.
2. Hughes-Games. G. Revised discussion on impacts of invasive zebra and quagga mussels to agricultural irrigation in BC. Resource Management Unit, Innovation and Adaptation Services Branch, BC Ministry of Agriculture. 2015.
3. Pacific Northwest Economic Region and Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. Advancing a Defense Against Invasive Mussels. n.d.
Invasive mussels have entered Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba. They threaten hydroelectric stations and impact the government and businesses in the province.
Cost to individuals
Invasive species impact property owners through the resulting costs of control and management on their land. The presence of some invasive species may even result in decreases in property value. Examples of invasive species include knotweeds, zebra and quagga mussels, and invasive fire ants.
Knotweeds
Knotweeds can damage house foundations, driveways, and infrastructure, costing money in repairs and control.
Image left: Knotweed growing through pavement. Image right: Knotweed growing near homes can cause damage to foundations and pipes.
Zebra and quagga mussels
Invasive zebra and quagga mussels can impact recreational boats and docks, which then costs owners of the affected property money to maintain their infrastracture and equipment.
Boat engine impacted by invasive mussels.
European fire ant
The aggressive behaviour and painful bite of the European fire ant can create undesirable conditions for homeowners and so reduce property values. It is estimated that if this species spreads in BC, it would result in annual damages of $100 million at 2012 property rates.4
4. Donald C. E. Robinson, et al. Preliminary damage estimates for selected invasive fauna in B.C. Report Prepared for BC Ministry of Environment, Victoria, BC by ESSA Technologies Ltd, Vancouver, BC. 2013.
