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A 1991 Princeton University study found that
invasive species are the second greatest threat
to global biodiversity.
Their eradication in many ecosystems is
considered a high priority, and often
includes the use of herbicides.
Using herbicides to restore ecosystems is a
short-sighted and dangerous approach.
Cal-IPC reports that
Garlon (Triclopyr)
poses “reproductive
and developmental
risks” to female
applicators.
Surfactants and
adjuvants are not
subject to regulatory
scrutiny or toxicity
testing.
In 2015, the World Health
Organization and the
State of California
declared glyphosate a
probable human
carcinogen.
Invasion Ecology: Objective or
Subjective Science?
The National Invasive Species
Council defines invasive species as
species that are “likely to cause
economic or environmental harm,
or harm to human health.”
Defining Harm…
Corn – 98 million acres planted in 2015
Soy – 87 million acres planted in 2015
Wheat – 78 million acres planted in 2015
A matter of perspective….
“I use only native species….native to planet earth.” – Bill Mollison
Ecosystem Change = Species Assemblage Change
Dams on southwestern rivers
change seasonal flood
patterns…
…Creating conditions that favor
salt cedar (Tamarisk spp.) and
make it less habitable for native
cottonwoods and willows.
Attempts to eradicate salt
cedar do not change the
underlying ecosystem
dynamics…and may cause
further ecological
degradation.
All ecosystems were once colonized by invading
organisms.
Checks and Balances…
Invasion drives evolution
Climate Change
• The relatively stable climate scenario of the
last 10,000 or so years is ending. Plants and
animals are on the move worldwide.
• Recent research models predict that novel –
meaning unknown - plant communities may
occupy 47% of land area in the Western US
by the end of the century. (Crookston and Rehfeldt,
USFS)
And some species are already on the
move…
The California
Yellow Lupine is
considered native
in Sonoma County…
…and invasive
in Humboldt
County.
Or is it moving north as the climate changes?
What about the native species
‘displaced’ by invasive species?
Native Species and the Wilderness Myth
The landscapes that are today known as
‘wilderness’ areas were once inhabited, and the
plants and animals they contain were parts of
sophisticated agricultural systems.
Their beauty, abundance, and diversity of these
ecosystems are the result of intentional
cultivation and management.
The survival of native species depends on us
needing them and using them.
If we want to restore land, we have to restore
intentional stewardship to the land.
Invasive species management can and
should occur in the context of deeply
regenerative ecosystem restoration.
Holistic Management of Invasive Species
And will also:
A holistic
restoration plan
will consider:
• Use small and
slow solutions
based on living
systems.
• Land use history
and present
status
• Address
underlying
processes
contributing to
“invasibility.”
• Soil and water
qualities
• Functional
characteristics of
invasive species
Restoration should be a process of moving
ecosystems forward, rather than idealizing
their return to a previous state.
• Feature clear
goals and
management
plans for future
ecosystems
The practice of restoration should yield healthy
food, regenerative economic opportunities, and
increasingly diverse and abundant ecosystems.
Check out Beyond the War on Invasive
Species on Facebook for updates and
information about holistic restoration
and thinking differently about invasive
species.
For more information on our work, visit
Resilience Permaculture Design, LLC at
www.resiliencepermaculture.com