[Sdpg] Interesting perspective about invasive species

[Marc Bailey]

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"context": "other\x27s 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",
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<!-- DIV {margin:0px;}-->I'vebeen thinking about plants labeled as invasive species and how many ofthem have extremely positive aspects.  Much time, effort, and money isspent fighting these plants, but perhaps our energies could be directedin more fruitful ways (pun intended).  

Coincidentally,a book that I had been reading called "Edible Forest Gardens" (Jacke& Toensmeier) recomends another book: "Invasion Biology: Critiqueof a Pseudoscience".   I went to the website and found the followingsynopsys of the book that I thought other's on this list would findinteresting.

Happy composting,
-Marc

http://jlhudsonseeds.net/Books.htm#Invasion%20Biology

We have all heard the breathless tales of the dangers of "invasive alien species," butwhat does science say about them? Did you know that studies show that purple loosestrife doesnot affect species richness of native plants? Or that it supports higher birddensities than native vegetation? That saltcedar supports native birds and insects in high numbersand at high levels of diversity, including endangered species? That the "invasive alien"hydrilla supports the highest bird species diversity in Florida, and it supports higherfish species density and many times the fish biomass than natives? That the zebra mussel increasedthe 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 definitelychange your view of introduced species. It will give you the facts you need to counter thosepromoting invader fears.

Chapters cover the origins of "natural" ecosystems and their changes over time, and detailthe true underlying causes of "invasion" in the damage industrialism is wreaking on theplanet. Case studies of many of the most feared "invaders" are presented, each caseshowing the distortions of the nativists, and the beneficial effects of the newcomer. The resiliencyof ecosystems and the rapid ecological integration of newcomers is demonstrated. A chapter detailsthe 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 thisreactionary movement. Numerous quotes are compared which demonstrate that the same fears thatunderlie xenophobia, racism, and fascism fuel the anti-invader movement. A chapter covers in detailthe pseudoscientific nature of invasion biology-why the invasive species model cannot bescientific, and the poor practices that characterize the field. The impossibility of predictinginvasions 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 corporateinterests are colluding in an effort to leverage the fictitious "invasion crisis" into asystem of complete bureaucratic control of nature, and corporate privatization of the earth'sbiological diversity.

The final chapters concern the beneficial, diversifying effects of anthropogenic dispersal-themovement of species by man. These species increase biological diversity, benefit ecosystems, preventextinctions, and act as an important force for healing the planet. Dispersal is a powerful drivingforce of evolution, and the book concludes by pointing out a new direction for conservation-theincorporation of dispersal as an essential strategy.







 





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