[ECOLOG-L] Science Ecology Terms Definitions Invasive etc.
'Native', 'alien' and 'invasive' are not really scientific or ecological terms, which is why they have been problematic for ecologists. The following paper (due out this month) outlines the derivation and history of significant attempts to standardize the definitions of these categories. Chew, M.K. 2011. Anekeitaxonomy: Botany, Place and Belonging. in I.D Rotherham and R.A. Lambert, eds. *Invasive and Introduced Plants and Animals: Human Perceptions, Attitudes and Approaches to Management. *London: * *Earthscan. Matthew K Chew Assistant Research Professor Arizona State University School of Life Sciences ASU Center for Biology & Society PO Box 873301 Tempe, AZ 85287-3301 USA Tel 480.965.8422 Fax 480.965.8330 mc...@asu.edu or anek...@gmail.com http://cbs.asu.edu/people/profiles/chew.php http://asu.academia.edu/MattChew
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Science Ecology Terms Definitions Invasive etc.
"The bylaws clarify that = invasive species within the scope of the council do not include humans, = domestic livestock or non-harmful exotic organisms." Of course they would have to grant an exception for domestic livestock, in order to dodge having to mitigate the ecological harm done by said livestock. I think there are plenty of ecologists working in the Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, and Great Basin who could provide documentation that domestic cattle have done damage on a par with any "invasive" species. As long as livestock are exempted, I consider this definition more political than scientific. Jason Hernandez Ecolog: Some may find it informative or ill-informative to follow the bouncing = links on this site (they come up as pdf files).=20 I am particularly interested in all ecologists' views of the definition = of "invasive species," (here reproduced for your convenience), but there = also are other flaws. Does ESA agree (aside from grammar nit-picking) = with the text of the cited "laws?"=20 http://www.iscc.ca.gov/cisac-strategic-framework.html INVASIVE SPECIES=20 What is an Invasive Species? The ISCC Bylaws define invasive species as "non-native organisms = which cause economic or environmental harm." The bylaws clarify that = invasive species within the scope of the council do not include humans, = domestic livestock or non-harmful exotic organisms. This matches the definition established at the federal level by = Executive Order 13112 in 1999, which established the National Invasive = Species Council. It defines invasive species as "alien species whose = introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm = or harm to human health." The order clarifies that alien species are = those introduced to an area, whether intentionally or unintentionally, = as a result of human activity. California Food and Agricultural Code (Section 5260.5) defines = "invasive pests" as "animals, plants, insects, and plant and animal = diseases, or groups of those animals, plants, insects, and plant and = animal diseases, including seeds, eggs, spores, or other matter capable = of propagation for which introduction into California would or likely = would cause economic or environmental harm." Invasive species come in all shapes and sizes, and their impacts = range from clogging water pipes to killing wildlife, from ruining crops = to posing a human health hazard. Many organizations are involved in = addressing invasive species in California. The ISCC and CISAC formed to = coordinate and strengthen the efforts of these organizations. =20 WT
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Science Ecology Terms Definitions Invasive etc.
I've wondered about this notion of native species also being "invasives." Here in the southern Great Plains and adjacent Cross Timbers terrain Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is native. Formerly it was rare outside of zones protected from fire by topography. It occurred on steep sites, in riparian zones, and in canyons where fire seldom reached. Today, there are broad swaths of former prairie that have become closed canopy cedar forest, and wherever one travels, one can see pastures and prairies that have young cedars growing thickly through them. The plant is not grazed, most wildlife does not eat it, the cedar thickets have been shown to have very low native bird diversity compared to adjacent woodlands and prairie. For the most part, these have developed in the past thirty years as heavy grazing and fire prevention/suppression have become the norm. Extension Service, The Nature Conservancy, and other agencies treat Eastern Red Cedar as a pest, and work to! eradicate it, as do many individual landowners. In fact, through misreading of promotional materials, some folks mistakenly believe the plant is not native in this area. So, is this a native invasive? Or just a giant weed (and what is the difference?). mcneely "Warren W. Aney" wrote: > Wayne, part of the challenge in defining invasives is keeping it simple > while making it complete. For example, the word "native" may or may not > cover all invasives. Also, there can be non-human caused introductions or > spread. > The barred owl is native to North America. Its recent non-human induced > spread in range and its resultant harm to endemic spotted owl populations > would appear to quality it as an invasive, even though it doesn't fit some > of the cited definitions. > Reed canarygrass may be indigenous but its monocultural takeover of wetlands > means it is classified as an invasive on most lists. Some of its spread has > been due to cultivation use. > So to me, the definition of an invasive is a species whose presence and > spread reduces natural ecosystem qualities such as diversity, productivity, > stability and resilience. > > Warren W. Aney > Senior Wildlife Ecologist > Tigard, OR > > -Original Message- > From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news > [mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf Of Wayne Tyson > Sent: Sunday, 01 May, 2011 18:29 > To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU > Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Science Ecology Terms Definitions Invasive etc. > > Ecolog: > > Some may find it informative or ill-informative to follow the bouncing links > on this site (they come up as pdf files). > > I am particularly interested in all ecologists' views of the definition of > "invasive species," (here reproduced for your convenience), but there also > are other flaws. Does ESA agree (aside from grammar nit-picking) with the > text of the cited "laws?" > > http://www.iscc.ca.gov/cisac-strategic-framework.html > > INVASIVE SPECIES > > > What is an Invasive Species? > > The ISCC Bylaws define invasive species as "non-native organisms which > cause economic or environmental harm." The bylaws clarify that invasive > species within the scope of the council do not include humans, domestic > livestock or non-harmful exotic organisms. > > This matches the definition established at the federal level by > Executive Order 13112 in 1999, which established the National Invasive > Species Council. It defines invasive species as "alien species whose > introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or > harm to human health." The order clarifies that alien species are those > introduced to an area, whether intentionally or unintentionally, as a result > of human activity. > > California Food and Agricultural Code (Section 5260.5) defines > "invasive pests" as "animals, plants, insects, and plant and animal > diseases, or groups of those animals, plants, insects, and plant and animal > diseases, including seeds, eggs, spores, or other matter capable of > propagation for which introduction into California would or likely would > cause economic or environmental harm." > > Invasive species come in all shapes and sizes, and their impacts range > from clogging water pipes to killing wildlife, from ruining crops to posing > a human health hazard. Many organizations are involved in addressing > invasive species in California. The ISCC and CISAC formed to coordinate and > strengthen the efforts of these organizations. > > > > > WT -- David McNeely
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Science Ecology Terms Definitions Invasive etc.
Wayne, part of the challenge in defining invasives is keeping it simple while making it complete. For example, the word "native" may or may not cover all invasives. Also, there can be non-human caused introductions or spread. The barred owl is native to North America. Its recent non-human induced spread in range and its resultant harm to endemic spotted owl populations would appear to quality it as an invasive, even though it doesn't fit some of the cited definitions. Reed canarygrass may be indigenous but its monocultural takeover of wetlands means it is classified as an invasive on most lists. Some of its spread has been due to cultivation use. So to me, the definition of an invasive is a species whose presence and spread reduces natural ecosystem qualities such as diversity, productivity, stability and resilience. Warren W. Aney Senior Wildlife Ecologist Tigard, OR -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf Of Wayne Tyson Sent: Sunday, 01 May, 2011 18:29 To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Science Ecology Terms Definitions Invasive etc. Ecolog: Some may find it informative or ill-informative to follow the bouncing links on this site (they come up as pdf files). I am particularly interested in all ecologists' views of the definition of "invasive species," (here reproduced for your convenience), but there also are other flaws. Does ESA agree (aside from grammar nit-picking) with the text of the cited "laws?" http://www.iscc.ca.gov/cisac-strategic-framework.html INVASIVE SPECIES What is an Invasive Species? The ISCC Bylaws define invasive species as "non-native organisms which cause economic or environmental harm." The bylaws clarify that invasive species within the scope of the council do not include humans, domestic livestock or non-harmful exotic organisms. This matches the definition established at the federal level by Executive Order 13112 in 1999, which established the National Invasive Species Council. It defines invasive species as "alien species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health." The order clarifies that alien species are those introduced to an area, whether intentionally or unintentionally, as a result of human activity. California Food and Agricultural Code (Section 5260.5) defines "invasive pests" as "animals, plants, insects, and plant and animal diseases, or groups of those animals, plants, insects, and plant and animal diseases, including seeds, eggs, spores, or other matter capable of propagation for which introduction into California would or likely would cause economic or environmental harm." Invasive species come in all shapes and sizes, and their impacts range from clogging water pipes to killing wildlife, from ruining crops to posing a human health hazard. Many organizations are involved in addressing invasive species in California. The ISCC and CISAC formed to coordinate and strengthen the efforts of these organizations. WT
[ECOLOG-L] Science Ecology Terms Definitions Invasive etc.
Ecolog: Some may find it informative or ill-informative to follow the bouncing links on this site (they come up as pdf files). I am particularly interested in all ecologists' views of the definition of "invasive species," (here reproduced for your convenience), but there also are other flaws. Does ESA agree (aside from grammar nit-picking) with the text of the cited "laws?" http://www.iscc.ca.gov/cisac-strategic-framework.html INVASIVE SPECIES What is an Invasive Species? The ISCC Bylaws define invasive species as "non-native organisms which cause economic or environmental harm." The bylaws clarify that invasive species within the scope of the council do not include humans, domestic livestock or non-harmful exotic organisms. This matches the definition established at the federal level by Executive Order 13112 in 1999, which established the National Invasive Species Council. It defines invasive species as "alien species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health." The order clarifies that alien species are those introduced to an area, whether intentionally or unintentionally, as a result of human activity. California Food and Agricultural Code (Section 5260.5) defines "invasive pests" as "animals, plants, insects, and plant and animal diseases, or groups of those animals, plants, insects, and plant and animal diseases, including seeds, eggs, spores, or other matter capable of propagation for which introduction into California would or likely would cause economic or environmental harm." Invasive species come in all shapes and sizes, and their impacts range from clogging water pipes to killing wildlife, from ruining crops to posing a human health hazard. Many organizations are involved in addressing invasive species in California. The ISCC and CISAC formed to coordinate and strengthen the efforts of these organizations. WT
