forwarding this for Jake Jake, I don't see much of a time lag- it's usually not more than a few minutes Joe
----- Original Message ----- From: Dyer, Jacob H To: Joseph Zorzin Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 11:30 AM Subject: RE: [ENTS] Re: Autopoietic Forests and Forest Patch Management Joe, I can't seem to get this note posted. I hate to bother you, but would you mind posting this on my behalf? This has been a really enjoyable discussion! Thanks, Jake Dyer P.S. Is there usually a lag in the time between sending the email to the entsgroups list and posting? Just curious. Joe et al., I have a few concerns to address regarding human introduced invasive species. For one, what level of change are we comfortable with allowing given a new suite of species? When you discuss the continents colliding, sure, novelty arises from this new mix of species. But, at what scale (both temporal and spatial) did this process occur? Look at the time and space we are covering with our modern introductions. The results of such introductions are having catastrophic effects on ecosystems at all scales. It is likely that the "natural" invasions occurring as a result of non-anthropogenic climate change and plate tectonics were not of the magnitude of change we are seeing now. This is precisely the difference between the supposed natural process of species range expansions and mixing and our conscious (directly and indirectly) efforts to move species. We have decoupled spatial and temporal scales, and the resulting trajectory of change MAY be outside of the homeorhetic path systems have followed that are perpetuating them. Yes, humans are a natural part of the global ecosystem, and we can never, ever discount our functioning as a social system and the subsequent effects on ecological systems. So, I think that the invasions happening as a direct and indirect result of our actions are of monumental concern. We cannot treat this subject lightly, especially when you have to consider the myriad ecosystem services that are suddenly changing at scales that can equate to global catastrophe. Just some thoughts. Jake --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Eastern Native Tree Society http://www.nativetreesociety.org Send email to [email protected] Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/entstrees?hl=en To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
