Environmentalist groups fight against invasive species spread post-hurricane Fiona

The P.E.I. Invasive Species Council is looking to buy a drone for surveying

Liam Jenkins, a chainsaw operator with the Trout River Watershed Committee for the last four summers and a second-year Wildlife Conservation student at Holland College, has been struggling with the rise of invasive species across the island. Judith Mendiolea photo.

The PEI Invasive Species Council (PEIISC) faces new challenges to manage invasive species in P.E.I., as survey teams grapple with restricted access to key areas due to Fiona's damage. 

The council is adapting by looking into using new technology, like drones, to continue their work in protecting the province's ecosystems.

“Since Hurricane Fiona, it has been a challenge to go ‘off the beaten path’ during surveys,” said Clay Cutting, an invasive species technician of the PEIISC. 

“In the future, it would be very handy to be able to use a drone to look around in places we can’t reach on foot.”

This struggle comes at a time when invasive species remain a serious threat to local ecosystems, potentially displacing native species and altering habitats. 

Non-native plants like Japanese knotweed and species such as the European green crab continue to disrupt local habitats and biodiversity. 

Each of these species presents its own set of challenges. Japanese knotweed, for instance, has a deep and persistent root system, making it notoriously hard to remove. 

“A root fragment as small as a dime can become an entirely new infestation,” Cutting noted.

Fiona’s damage in forested areas has allowed the spread of invasive species like the Japanese knotweed, making it difficult for environmentalists to manage their spread. Judith Mendiolea photo.

The PEIISC currently conducts three types of surveys: in areas with restoration interests, in regions where high-priority invasive species are present, and in locations deemed at high risk for species spread. 

"We survey the nearby area for its presence, to make sure we are conducting management on a landscape scale. If we miss something, that will become a larger problem down the road."

The province currently focuses on surveying high-risk areas such as landfills, disposal facilities, and transport corridors, where the likelihood of species spread is greatest.

Despite the challenges brought by Fiona, no new invasive species have been discovered in recent surveys. However, routine findings of common invasive species will still guide future conservation efforts.

One significant change has been the implementation of ArcGIS Online and the FieldMaps app, for collecting field data, viewing maps and exchanging locations in real time, which have streamlined the process of digitizing survey results. 

The PEIISC continues to raise awareness about invasive species through public events, social media, and encouraging community involvement.

“Invasive species management needs three things: time, money, and resources, which are three things a non-profit usually never has in any great abundance,” Cutting explained. “We are always accepting reports of invasive species either directly or through iNaturalist.”

Liam Jenkins, has been a chainsaw operator with the Trout River Watershed Committee for the last four summers and is a second-year Wildlife Conservation student at Holland College. He has firsthand experience dealing with invasive species.

“Invasive work has become much more important due to the storm,” Liam said. “After we lost so many trees and older successional forests, it left bare landscapes where invasive species, by their nature, can just move in and colonize.”

Jenkins also emphasized the need for greater understanding of how to properly dispose of the invasive species while preventing their spread. 

“We haven’t fully understood how easily seeds move around until now. Caution and care are essential during removal operations.”

The removal process needs to be cautiously executed. 

For instance, the Giant Hogweed is difficult to manage because of its toxic sap. 

Managers need to be fully protected from exposure to sap. Additional safety protocols are required for gear cleaning to ensure nobody is exposed to sap.

Jenkins also mentioned species like Glossy Buckthorn, noting that technology can help streamline efforts. For example a "D-rooter," a pulling apparatus for removing invasive plants by targeting their roots.

“Even if you cut the stems off and remove the berries, suckers or new growth can come right off that old stem. So, removing every bit of the invasive plant is really important.”

As a wildlife enthusiast, Liam is personally affected by the growing presence of invasive species. “Every day I go out, I see these beautiful ecosystems, but I also see the degradation caused by invasive plants. It leaves an intrinsic feeling that something needs to be done,” he said. 

“Just behind my house, walking along a riparian zone, you can see bittersweet nightshade and Japanese knotweed. It’s discouraging because, from a private standpoint, there’s not much you can do.” 

The PEIISC has their annual PEI Invasive Species Council on Sept. 20. They plan on encouraging citizen science, seed collection and native planting.