Addressing the Dual Threat of Climate Change and Invasive Species

The National Invasive Species & Climate Change (NISCC) Network is a national initiative dedicated to addressing the growing threat posed by the intersection of climate change and invasive species.

experts from across sectors, including Indigenous communities, government, and academia, share knowledge, drive research, and promote collaboration to protect Canada’s ecosystems.

Collaborating for Sustainable Solutions

By bringing together experts from across sectors, including Indigenous communities, government, and academia, we work to share knowledge, drive research, and promote collaboration to protect Canada's ecosystems. Learn how we're tackling these challenges and supporting sustainable solutions.

Climate Change & Invasive Species

Understand how climate change and invasive species interact, amplifying their combined effects on biodiversity and ecosystems.

Invasive Species Worsening Climate Change

Climate Change Amplifying Invasive Species

Climate Change Impact On Native Species

Wildfires

Discover how climate change and invasive species are reshaping Canada's fire regime, leading to more frequent and severe wildfires.

Wild fire with lots of smoke off in the distance

Our Latest Research Summaries

Explore research summaries and tools that address the impacts of climate change and invasive species on ecosystems.

  • Managing invasive plants on Great Plains grasslands: A discussion of current challenges

    Gaskin, J. F., Espeland, E., Johnson, C. D., Larson, D. L., Mangold, J. M., McGee, R. A., ... & Tekiela, D. R. (2021). Managing invasive plants on Great Plains grasslands: A discussion of current challenges. Rangeland Ecology & Management, 78, 235-249.

  • Long-term drought promotes invasive species by reducing wildfire severity

    Kimball, S., et al. (2024). Long‐term drought promotes invasive species by reducing wildfire severity. Ecology, e4265

  • Testing the assumption of environmental equilibrium in an invasive plant species over a 130 year history

    Publication: Foster, S. L., Kharouba, H. M., & Smith, T. W. (2022). Testing the assumption of environmental equilibrium in an invasive plant species over a 130 year history. Ecography, e12933. https://doi.org/10.1111/ecog.06284

What Needs to Be Done?

3 Key Principles

To address the dual threats of climate change and invasive species, three key principles should guide research, policy, and management strategies:

Reduce

Integrate

Align

Climate and Conservation Chronicles: The NISCC Blog

  • Wildfire in a open field with lots of smoke

    The Grass Fire Cycle

    Published On: February 10, 2025

    The Grass-fire Cycle: How Invasive Species Are Altering Wildfire Patterns Historically, wildfires have been a driving force in helping shape plant communities across North America, especially the native sagebrush ecosystems in the western [...]

  • Forest filled with smoke and the sun

    Reshaping Canadas Ecosystems

    Published On: February 10, 2025

    How Wildfire, Climate Change, and Invasive Species Are Reshaping Canada’s Ecosystems What happens when three powerful environmental forces – fire, climate and biological invasions - collide? These global change stressors are [...]