Lecture 11: Controversies in Conservation Biology Regarding Non-Native Species and Novel Organisms

Ricciardi (at his most unhinged :) )

Consensus on invasion

• Invasions are inherently risky

• A percentage of invasions become highly disruptive

Echium

• Called Patterson’s Curse or Salvation Jane

• Toxic to cattle but great for beekeepers

• Example of political issue with invasions

Common critiques against invasion biology

• “Green xenophobia”

• “Pseudoscience” - by David I. Theodopoulos, a seed merchant

• These are not peer-reviewed

The issue of “balanced reporting” on issues like climate change

• Gives a voice to science denialism

• Use of rhetorical tactics with the aim of casting doubt

• Motivation: often business, sometimes from an animal rights philosophy which puts individuals above species

Scientific Consensus (IPBES 2023)

• Non-native species carry significant ecological risk

• They are a major contributing cause to population decline and extinctions

• They can alter or disrupt ecosystems’ function/ services

Characteristics of Science Denialism

1. Repetition of debunked claims

2. Presented in non-peer-reviewed forums, or with fake experts

3. Misrepresentation and cherry-picking of published studies

4. Use of straw men, logical fallacies, etc

5. Maligning experts with accusations of bias

Where do Camels Belong

• Compares invasive species science with racism

Ties between zebra mussels and avian botulism

• Zebra and quagga mussels cause algal mats (due to filtering out nutrients, affecting fish populations) 

• Algal die-offs cause decreasing oxygen; lakes become partially anaerobic 

• Anaerobic microbes, including botulism (Clostridium botulinum) thrive

• Zebra mussels ingest the microbes

• Round gobys (also highly invasive, now the most abundant bottom-dwelling fish in the Great Lakes) eat the zebra mussels

• Birds eat the round goby, die from botulism

Arguments for human-assisted dispersal of species

• Active

• Feasible

• Low risk?

• Best chance for some species

Assisted colonization in Newfoundland

• Pine marten populations declining

• Introduction of red squirrels

• Instead, red crossbill declines due to red squirrels depleting their food source (black spruce)

Arguments against Assisted Colonization

• Consequences can be broad, sometimes irrevocable

• High risks, even for short-distance translocation

• Risks cannot be accurately predicted

• Ignores evolutionary context

• Interferes with preservation

Novel biological entities

• Hybrids, synthetic cells

• “De-extinction”

Issues with “de-extinction”

• No risk assessment possible

• Unique traits, unsure of impact

• No evolutionary context, will be introduced species anywhere