Environment and Development Research Group
	School of Resource and Environmental Management Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, V5A 1S6

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Economic Impacts of Invasive Plants in British Columbia Invasive alien species have been identified as a priority for action under the Canadian Biodiversity Strategy, which recommends that all necessary steps to prevent the introduction of harmful alien organisms and eliminate or reduce their adverse effects to acceptable levels be undertaken. Currently, the federal government is developing an invasive species strategy that will be implemented by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). While significant work has been done on valuing the economic impacts of invasive plants in the United States, little has been done in British Columbia. This project helps to fill that information gap by looking not only at the dollar value of direct impacts on resource use, but also at the dollar value of the change or loss in less tangible values such as ecosystem services and biodiversity, as well as examining the costs and benefits of alternative invasive plant management strategies. The results of this project increase understanding of the significance and urgency of the invasive plant problem in BC, and facilitate the development of strategy and decision-making tools for invasive plant management in a manner that incorporates both economic and environmental parameters. Publications/Presentations: ESSA Consulting, Knowler, D., Myers, J. and Scott, L. 2009. Economic Impacts of Invasive Plants in British Columbia. Report prepared for the Invasive Plant Council of BC (IPCBC), Vancouver, BC.

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last updated: May 2009