Download Non-indigenous Species

Gage Glupker
2nd Hour
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Non-indigenous Species
An ecosystem is a well-tuned piece of nature consisting of various biotic and
abiotic factors working in harmony. The introduction of any new species could
throw the balance of the ecosystem off quite easily. There are many examples of
how non-indigenous species have altered ecosystems throughout time and across
the world.
Such species are often imported accidentally through trade, but others are
quite purposefully introduced to an ecosystem for a specific purpose. Changing the
harmony of an ecosystem is not always a bad thing. In certain cases, it may be a
serious benefit to an ecosystem to introduce a new species, but it will certainly come
with consequences. The weight of these consequences often needs to be evaluated
by an outside source.
Evaluations of benefits and downfalls of the importation of non-indigenous
species are usually preformed by a government agency. Agencies such as the
Department of National Resources (DNR for short) are in charge of ecosystem
decisions such as this. There are many things that need to be considered upon the
analysis of importing these species. Some of which are the effects it will have on
currently established species, what the importation will do for certain economies,
and how preventable it is.
Change comes in many forms, most of which are not friendly to economics. If
there is one thing that can change an entire country’s economy, slumping them into
a possible depression, it’s a change in available renewable resources. Nonindigenous species can completely uproot and displace a nation’s renewable
resources such as forests. The Nature Conservancy’s photo (source A) shows a
forest decimated by a single insect species. This is an extreme example, however. In
most cases, the new guest affects only a few indigenous species.
The effects these introductions have on indigenous species are often
beneficial in a long-term scope. Spotts’ (source F) description of cane toads and the
naturally predatory role they assumed upon their introduction to Australia doesn’t
demonstrate tragedy, but rather it gives hope for a stronger ecosystem. Natural
selection is a process in which only the strongest of a species survive the onslaught
of a predator, and the strong ones that live breed together to create an even
stronger generation beneath them. This trains a species to be more advanced and
encourages evolution. In a balanced environment, often times species become
strong to the point where there is no longer an onslaught by predators, but rather
just enough for both to survive in harmony. This comfort slows evolution.
Introduction of new predators such as cane toads however, re-encourages this
evolution to take place, and overall advances the evolution of species. As an
environmental analyst, it should be kept in mind that even if a species doesn’t follow
Gage Glupker
2nd Hour
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the exact role they are imported for, they can still strengthen an environment in the
long-term.
The development of countries is most often defined by their accessibility to
resources, especially food. Countries with more food are generally the more
advanced countries with striving populations. Importation of non-indigenous
species is usually in the interest of keeping a population of animals for food
purposes. Hewitt (source C) expresses that the importation of non-indigenous
aquatic species could be one of the most vital aspects of a growing population. In
developing countries, water is often insufficient for human consumption. There are
many varieties of aquatic species that can survive in these extreme conditions,
however. The introduction of such species could help in purifying water by eating
bacteria-infested microbes, while also providing a plentiful food source.
Another advantage to non-indigenous species as a food source, is that they
are often more durable than indigenous species. The cow, which provides the everprevalent beef, is non-indigenous to North America. Cows were created by selective
breeding of Aurochs in midland Europe. When Europeans discovered North
America, the cows were among the first livestock to be imported from Europe. The
cows, being a tough bred species, were able to both outlast indigenous species, and
provide a more stable food source to Europeans and natives alike. Other nonindigenous species can provide ample benefits to currently existing ecosystems,
which needs to be taken into account during a decision on importation of new
species.
As transport becomes more efficient, faster, and cheaper, the internet
becomes more accessible, and communications improve, global trade is on a
constant increase. Companies like amazon and eBay ship millions of products across
the world daily. The contents of the packages are small prizes individuals receiving
them, but as Baskin (source E) states, there are “hitchhikers that ride… in the nooks
and crannies of shipping crates and containers”. The global trade is not slowing
down anytime soon, and it’s inevitable that microbes will come along with it.
Therefore, the infestation of non-indigenous species is truly inevitable. Taking this
into account, it is difficult to rationalize not allowing one non-indigenous species to
be imported if on the daily, others are welcomed with open arms to possibly infest
ecosystems.
Non-indigenous species are like fire. If you’re careful, it can be a very positive
force that will help evolution, but if not used correctly, can be a very destructive
force. Before importation of a new species takes place, it should always be taken
into consideration the constructiveness and destructiveness to native species, the
changes it will have on the local economy, and whether or not it can be kept out in
the long run. Just recall, it only takes one match to start a wildfire.