Invasions in the North

Rapid warming and rising human activity in northern ecosystems can increase spread of non-native species and lead to range expansions of native species. We are examining the spread of non-native earthworms in the Yukon, northern Alberta, and northern Saskatchewan, as well as the spread of non-native plants in the NWT. We're also working on a project looking at Indigenous knowledge to detect long-term changes in berry crops.

Key questions we're working on include:

• What are the key drivers (e.g., climate, landscape, and human activity) that influence the spread of non-native earthworms in the Yukon?

• What is the role of aquatic dispersal in the spread of earthworms?

• How do road and stream corridors, as well as forest fires, affect the spread of non-native plants?