The federal government is committed to warding off an alien invasion in the territory of the plant variety.

The territory's Environment department has received $19,500 in funding from Ottawa as part of the federal Invasive Alien Species Strategy. The program is designed to prevent and detect the introduction of new species, as well as contain and control any invasions.

The Yukon will be using the money to take an inventory of invasive plant species along the territory's highways this summer, said government botanist Bruce Bennett.

It is the first time the Yukon has had a budget for this kind of research, said Bennett.

There is currently very little known about the distribution of invasive alien plants, he said, and the project will provide data on the distribution along the roadways.

The goal is to also collect information to provide communities and businesses with an understanding of the spread of the intruder plants and how to minimize it.

'It's really nice to know what you're up against,' said Bennett of the current lack of understanding of what is actually in the territory.

He said sweet clover is one of the known invasive species. A better understanding of its spread is needed before it has impacts on the Yukon's ecosystems, especially long waterways, he added.

The oxeye daisy may also be a potential threat in the Yukon, he said. The plant is already known to be in the Rancheria area.

'We're just trying to get a handle on who's here and where they are so we can prioritize what we can do.'

Bob Mills, a Conservative Alberta MP, was in Whitehorse on Wednesday to make the funding presentation on behalf of Environment Minister John Baird. Mills said it is critically important for Canadians to have an understanding of the impacts of invasive species.

The species can be plants, animals and microorganisms that have spread beyond their natural range as a result of activities such as travel and trade.

'These projects help communities actively reduce the introduction and spread of invasive alien species through on-the-ground actions,' said Mills.

Yukon Liberal MP Larry Bagnell said the territory risks being infected with invasive species, because of the amount of container and RV traffic along the highways.

'All of a sudden you've got the proliferation of a foreign weed or a plant that displaces a Yukon plant. That's not good,' said Bagnell.

A lot of plant types aren't able to survive in the Yukon's climate and ecosystem, said Bennett, and invasive species are not really recognized as a major problem in the territory yet.

The goal is to keep it that way, he added.