Time for change

Protected areas are established throughout the world to promote biodiversity and protect species from human activity. Not even protected areas however, are almighty enough to safeguard plants and animals from climate change; even in “natural” and “protected” systems unavoidable changes are taking place (Walther et al., 2002). Additionally, research has shown that species from protected areas are vacating them in refuge of cooler temperatures, which in turn provides empty niches for new species to invade (Gillingham). Walther et al., (2002) describes how current established communities often consist of species from all over the word. This increased understanding of the frequency and magnitude of species invasions around the world is summarised by the term "The Homogocene" (Rosenzweig, 2001). Although you may disagree, this suggests that me there are no longer “native” species and “invasive” species. 

It’s not surprising the recently released IPCC report indicated that climate change will continue to rapidly warm the planet into 2100. For this reason alone, I don’t think that it’s in the best interest of ecological conservation to prevent species from migrating to cooler temperatures. This is because research has already shown that if species cannot evolve to tolerate high temperatures in their current location, they suffer an increased risk of extinction (Thomas et al., 2003).  Thus, I think that such invaders should also be considered “legal aliens” in the same way as I described relating to the Great American Interchange.

Chris Thomas, recently released an article in Nature, urging people to rethink their views on 
global environmental change and invasive species. Despite the negative impact of invasive species, I was startled to read that Britain “has gained 1875, established non-native species without yet losing anything to the invaders”. Chris argued that we cannot stop change, and just because invasive species are new to the location which they arrive, it doesn’t mean we have to get rid of them. Although there is sometimes a need to try and eradicate invasives that have an extremely detrimental impact on ecological systems, Chris stated:

“It is a mistake to misdirect valuable and increasingly scarce conservation funds into unwinnable wars.” 

Personally I am in agreement with Chris Thomas, it's time to change our view on invasive species. Instead of eradication we should look to conservation methods such as habitat management to promote biodiversity. Let me know what you think.

Elena