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I was involved in management of a small natural preserve. One of the activities was to control some of the more pestilential invasive species, such as Oriental
by Merrill 7y ago
I was involved in management of a small natural preserve. One of the activities was to control some of the more pestilential invasive species, such as Oriental bittersweet. But without a huge expensive effort, invasives really can't be eradicated or even very well controlled. I'd estimate that upwards of a fourth of the plant mass was invasive species, from allianthus to wisteria.
In the end, I decided it didn't really matter - that these new species were simply doing what all organisms do, which is to compete to survive and reproduce. The fact that they are doing so in a new ecological setting is just what evolution predicts.
- brownbat 7y agoInteresting point. Outside/In Radio has a few episodes you might like, one series on trying to turn invasive species into culinary delicacies, to put pressure back on those populations: http://outsideinradio.org/shows/2018/7/5/molto-moleche http://outsideinradio.org/shows/2018/7/5/molto-moleche Also, I found thought provoking this discussion of how some species are generalists, and some are specialists, and how Turkey vultures will probably inherit the Earth: http://outsideinradio.org/shows/ep51 http://outsideinradio.org/shows/ep51
- kijin 7y agoAmericans don't seem to be particularly fond of eating unfamiliar animals. Convince the Chinese that a certain species is good for health or improves vigor, on the other hand, and the species in question will become virtually extinct in no time. See rhino horns and shark's fins.
- banku_brougham 7y agoA little care could have made this statement seem less.. inconsiderate.
- kijin 7y agoI thought about that for a minute before I hit "reply", but decided "fuck it." Why try to sugarcoat an ecologically disastrous cultural practice in the name of sensitivity? Besides, ethnically I'm much closer to Chinese than American if that adds any context.
- pvaldes 7y ago> I was involved in management of a small natural preserve... In the end, I decided it [management of a small natural preserve] didn't really matter Therefore you shouldn't be doing this job. Is as simple as that
- Merrill 7y agoAfter concluding that "management" and "natural" were a contradiction in terms, I resigned.
- pvaldes 7y agoThere is nothing natural in invasive species. Doing nothing to stop them to take all the reserve, would be like a museum curator welcoming termites, insects or fungus as a natural part of valuable antiquities and oil paintings. This subverts totally the main reason for having this nature preserve, saving rare and valuable ecosystems (instead using the space for another cornfield).
- dang 7y agoPlease don't cross into personal attack in HN comments. That's not why we're here. https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html
- pvaldes 7y agoIs a comment, not a personal attack, and is a justified one. There is a really insidious, and difficult to fight, trend with alien species that many people repeat again and again. That the correct way to manage alien species is 1) delaying the action as many as you can 2) letting the problem rot 3) building a narrative that will comfort you for 4) accepting the new situation. I had seen this "algorithm" dozens of times before This is plain wrong and it must be repeated more. Please don't spread such ideas. Alien species are a problem both environmental and also economical of first order
- fouric 7y agoHow is that comment a personal attack? I don't see any references, critical or otherwise, made to Merrill's motives or character.