The concern is the invasive behavior, perhaps more than the origin of the species exhibiting the behavior, though it is true that most invasive behavior is exhibited by a few newcomers to a region. However, under certain conditions even a few native species can behave invasively by coming to dominate an area, at least for awhile. It is akin to focusing on destructive behavior, such as bullying, rather than the ethnic group of the bully. I think using invasive behavior as the description of the ecological concerns would lessen the analogies to humans and immigration.
Elizabeth L. Rich, Ph.D. St. Joseph's University On Sun, Sep 11, 2011 at 11:18 AM, Wayne Tyson <[email protected]> wrote: > Warren and Ecolog: > > Naw, Warren, you're making a valid point that sums up the situation quite > succinctly. I hope this will lead to the expression of more such simple > elegance. > > I would add only that organisms and their habitats, both in a constant > state of change, fit together like a hand and a glove. > > However, this means neither that all aliens must be extirpated, nor that > all will be well if nothing is done in every case where the vastly > accelerated and facilitated dispersal of organisms 'round the globe by that > species we call Homo sap. Of course, Nature will ultimately bat last, and of > course, much weed-bashing is anthropocentric. But the President's letter > absolving humans and their introductions from the definition of "alien" > should be contested by all scientists, ecologists, and thinking individuals > and their organizations worthy of their designations. > > WT > > > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Warren W. Aney" <[email protected]> > > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Saturday, September 10, 2011 6:20 PM > > Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] a non Ivory Tower view of invasive species > > > There can be a meaningful ecological difference between an organism that > evolved with an ecosystem and an organism that evolved outside of but > spread, migrated or was otherwise introduced into that ecosystem. An > organism that evolved with an ecosystem is considered a component that > characterizes that ecosystem. An introduced organism that did not evolve > with that ecosystem should at least be evaluated for its potential > modifying > effects on that ecosystem. > > Am I being too simplistic? > > Warren W. Aney > Senior Wildlife Ecologist > Tigard, OR > > -----Original Message----- > From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news > [mailto:[email protected].**EDU <[email protected]>] On Behalf > Of Manuel Spínola > Sent: Saturday, 10 September, 2011 12:22 > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] a non Ivory Tower view of invasive species > > With all due respect, are not we all invaders at some point in time? > > Best, > > Manuel Spínola > > 2011/9/10 David L. McNeely <[email protected]> > > ---- Matt Chew <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> > We can compose effectively endless lists of cases where human agency has >> > redistributed biota and thereby affected pre-existing populations, >> > ecological relationships and traditional or potential economic >> > opportunities. Those are indisputable facts. >> >> The House Sparrow is in North America by human hand. >> >> >> > But what those facts mean is disputable. >> >> House sparrows are in serious decline in Europe, probably as an unintended >> consequence due to human actions. >> > >> > I see effects; they see impacts. >> > I see change; they see damage. >> >> Many people see a need to eradicate non-natives. At the same time, many >> people see a need to preserve natives. >> >> With regard to the house sparrow ------ hmmm......... . >> >> Where does the "arms race" that Matt mentioned further along in his post >> lead? >> >> mcneely >> >> > >> >> > > > -- > *Manuel Spínola, Ph.D.* > Instituto Internacional en Conservación y Manejo de Vida Silvestre > Universidad Nacional > Apartado 1350-3000 > Heredia > COSTA RICA > [email protected] > [email protected] > Teléfono: (506) 2277-3598 > Fax: (506) 2237-7036 > Personal website: Lobito de río <https://sites.google.com/** > site/lobitoderio/ <https://sites.google.com/site/lobitoderio/>> > Institutional website: ICOMVIS <http://www.icomvis.una.ac.cr/**> > > > ----- > No virus found in this message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 10.0.1392 / Virus Database: 1520/3888 - Release Date: 09/10/11 >
