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30 CLIMATE CHANGE ALBERTAS BIODIVERSITY INVASIVE PLANTS Incorporating species distribution models into invasive species risk assessments identifies Giant Knotweed Salt Cedar and Alkali Swainsonpea as three high-risk invasive plants for Alberta under future climate conditions and highlights several areas in southern Alberta at greatest risk of new invasions. Climatechangewillalterconditionssuitablefor plantgrowthinAlbertainevitablyresultingin theintroductionandestablishmentofspeciesnot currentlyfoundintheprovince.Someofthese specieswillbeinvasivewithnegativeecological oreconomicimpacts.Toevaluateinvasionrisk for16plantspeciesnotcurrentlypresentin AlbertaShauna-LeeChaiandcolleagues2014 combinedinvasivenessassessmentsbasedon speciescharacteristicswiththepotentialfor eachspeciestoestablishinAlbertaunder currentandfutureclimaticconditions. The degree of invasiveness for each species was evaluated based on four traits ecological impact biological characteristics dispersal ability and feasibility of control using standardized ranking criteria.30 The suitability of current and future Alberta climates for each species was assessed through a combination of climate matching and species distribution modeling. Of the 16 terrestrial species assessed the three most problematic invasive plants were Giant Knotweed Fallopia sachalinensis Salt Cedar Tamarix chinensis and Alkali Swainsonpea Sphaerophysa salsula these species were determined to have both the highest invasive- ness scores and greatest potential increase in suitable habitat in Alberta. This analysis could support climate change risk assessments for invasive plants under the Weed Control Act.31 The Grasslands Natural Region was evaluated as the most at-risk region to new invasive species in both current and future climates and the Municipal Districts of Pincher Creek Cardston and County of Forty Mile were the municipalitiescounties with habitat predicted to be suitable for the greatest number of new invasive species by the 2050s Fig. 7. Because early detection and rapid response is critical to successful management of invasive plants identification of new potential invasive plant threats can support ongoing management initiatives across Alberta. 30 Invasivenessassessmentsforall16speciescanbefoundathttpwww.biodiversityandclimate.abmi.caour-workclimate-change-impacts 31 Alberta Weed Control Act.SA 2008 cW-5.1. Available at httpwww1.agric.gov.ab.cadepartmentdeptdocs.nsfallacts6156 Photo Climate change will make Albertas climate more favourable for Salt Cedar. This aggressive invasive species has very high water demands and impacts native ecosystems by lowering water tables and increasing the salt content of the soil.