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Research in Canada on climate change and alien species lagging: study

Alien plants and animals are already invading Canada through doors opened by climate change, and research and policy on the issue lag far behind.

That’s the conclusion of research that found no jurisdiction is looking at the interaction between global warming and what the study calls invasive alien species.

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The study found only a handful of papers have looked at the problem despite the billions of dollars it’s already cost the Canadian economy.

It concludes species from smallmouth bass in eastern lakes to the mountain pine beetle in western forests will continue to damage native ecosystems for years to come.

As well, areas like the Northwest Passage are increasingly vulnerable because of increased shipping.

The study says more research is needed into how invasive species and climate change affect each other and how those effects can be minimized.

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