'Native', 'alien' and 'invasive' are not really scientific or ecological terms, which is why they have been problematic for ecologists. The following paper (due out this month) outlines the derivation and history of significant attempts to standardize the definitions of these categories.
Chew, M.K. 2011. Anekeitaxonomy: Botany, Place and Belonging. in I.D Rotherham and R.A. Lambert, eds. *Invasive and Introduced Plants and Animals: Human Perceptions, Attitudes and Approaches to Management. *London: * *Earthscan. Matthew K Chew Assistant Research Professor Arizona State University School of Life Sciences ASU Center for Biology & Society PO Box 873301 Tempe, AZ 85287-3301 USA Tel 480.965.8422 Fax 480.965.8330 [email protected] or [email protected] http://cbs.asu.edu/people/profiles/chew.php http://asu.academia.edu/MattChew
