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]] 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/>
Institutional website: ICOMVIS <http://www.icomvis.una.ac.cr/>
-----
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