I think the problem is more of a situation where permaculture principles are
not applied, by either side. I know of a number of situations with invasive
species that were quite destructive and disruptive of ecosystems, destroying
forests, waterways, etc. It is usually not a black or white situation. You
have to go in and actually observe the ecosystem in question and find out what
is happening and why. Sometimes that isn't obvious. For instance, beetle
invasions that kill forests may not have happened if the forests had not been
weakened in a number of ways first by man's intervention (clear cut, replanting
of single species, incorrect fire management techniques, pollution, etc, etc).
Application of microbes can stop invasions as the system is strengthened - I
personally don't know of any situation where artificial chemical solutions
would be "necessary". In other cases, like mustard, there are adaptability
features that native species don't have.
The review of this book makes it sound as extreme as those it is criticizing -
I tend to distrust anything that makes things so black and white, from any
side. My view is that you have to observe and then do what will be least
disruptive to the existing system, as per permaculture principles. A great
argument for natives is that we too often don't know their use and we really
should bother to find out. So often, they offer more nutrition and other uses
than imported species. California natives such as the oak are amazing plants
and have so many great uses. Cutting them down to bring in cattle and strip
mining has caused very easily observed damage to ecosystems, including massive
erosion problems.
I think the argument of natives vs non native is a bit of a red herring. The
real issue is whether we are observing the effects we create on our ecosystems
and the implications of those effects, and taking responsiblity for that or
not.
By the way, someone mentioned on one of these lists plants that are compatible
with live oak. Is there a list? I'm familiar with some, but not all.
Cory
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I've been thinking about plants labeled as invasive species and how many of
them have extremely positive aspects. Much time, effort, and money is spent
fighting these plants, but perhaps our energies could be directed in more
fruitful ways (pun intended).
Coincidentally, a book that I had been reading called "Edible Forest Gardens"
(Jacke & Toensmeier) recomends another book: "Invasion Biology: Critique of a
Pseudoscience". I went to the website and found the following synopsys of the
book that I thought other's on this list would find interesting.
Happy composting,
-Marc
http://jlhudsonseeds.net/Books.htm#Invasion%20Biology
We have all heard the breathless tales of the dangers of "invasive alien
species," but what does science say about them? Did you know that studies show
that purple loosestrife does not affect species richness of native plants? Or
that it supports higher bird densities than native vegetation? That saltcedar
supports native birds and insects in high numbers and at high levels of
diversity, including endangered species? That the "invasive alien" hydrilla
supports the highest bird species diversity in Florida, and it supports higher
fish species density and many times the fish biomass than natives? That the
zebra mussel increased the catch of yellow perch five-fold, and that it
improves water quality? That the so-called "killer algae" reduces pollution and
helps native species? That in all cases, including even oceanic islands,
introduced species have increased biodiversity?
Thoroughly researched, with full citations to scientific literature, this book
will definitely change your view of introduced species. It will give you the
facts you need to counter those promoting invader fears.
Chapters cover the origins of "natural" ecosystems and their changes over
time, and detail the true underlying causes of "invasion" in the damage
industrialism is wreaking on the planet. Case studies of many of the most
feared "invaders" are presented, each case showing the distortions of the
nativists, and the beneficial effects of the newcomer. The resiliency of
ecosystems and the rapid ecological integration of newcomers is demonstrated. A
chapter details the growing extremism of the nativist movement, and the harm
caused as they clearcut, bulldoze, herbicide, and burn natural areas around the
world in the name of purifying the landscape of the "foreign," even killing
endangered species as "invaders."
A detailed analysis of the writings of these nativists reveals the
psychopathologies that drive this reactionary movement. Numerous quotes are
compared which demonstrate that the same fears that underlie xenophobia,
racism, and fascism fuel the anti-invader movement. A chapter covers in detail
the pseudoscientific nature of invasion biology-why the invasive species model
cannot be scientific, and the poor practices that characterize the field. The
impossibility of predicting invasions is covered, showing the "white list"
concept to be useless as public policy.
The hidden influence of the herbicide industry is exposed. The regulatory
industry and corporate interests are colluding in an effort to leverage the
fictitious "invasion crisis" into a system of complete bureaucratic control of
nature, and corporate privatization of the earth's biological diversity.
The final chapters concern the beneficial, diversifying effects of
anthropogenic dispersal-the movement of species by man. These species increase
biological diversity, benefit ecosystems, prevent extinctions, and act as an
important force for healing the planet. Dispersal is a powerful driving force
of evolution, and the book concludes by pointing out a new direction for
conservation-the incorporation of dispersal as an essential strategy.
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