Do you use the term: Invasive Species? | eePRO @ NAAEE
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Do you use the term: Invasive Species?

Wed, 2021-02-17 19:42

I recently read the open-access (woot woot!) article, "Wildlife Ethics and Practice: Why We Need to Change the Way We Talk About ‘Invasive Species’" published in the Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics in March 2020. The author, Meera Iona Inglis, writes: "It is therefore my conclusion that terms such as ‘invasive’, ‘non-native’ and ‘foreign’ should no longer be utilised in the wildlife conservation discourse. We should instead move towards a more measured understanding of the interactions between different species, particularly during rapid periods of environmental transformation caused by climate change." In exchange, Inglis suggests, "potentially harmful species."

I have always been a proponent of preserving "native" landscapes and planting "native" species, but I recognize that climate change and other human-led changes are shifting the suitable habitats of species. I also do not want to suport nativist and xenophobic language. What terms do you use? How are you educating on "invasive species"? I would love to hear a diverse range of thoughts!

Wildlife Ethics and Practice: Why We Need to Change the Way We Talk About ‘Invasive Species’

Fri, 2021-02-19 16:54

Hi Elisa,

While I have been thinking about our (mis)treatment of animals out of place (e.g., non-native) for awhile, I've only recently given thought to how we talk about those species. In December, a conversation about "Just Language: Invasive Species" was posted here. I was not able to participate live, but they have shared recordings and slides and are having a follow-up next month. Not an answer to your question (I don't have one yet!), but thought you might be interested in the conversation.

Just Language: Invasive Species Jan 5 Follow Up

Mon, 2021-02-22 18:20

Hi Elisa,

Thank you for starting this discussion. I honestly hadn't thought about language and the naming of things in regards to invasive species per se. But I have recently been thinking about the power of naming things within conservation at large.

I was thinking about this the other day after reading this article regarding the naming of species published in The Revelator: https://therevelator.org/decolonizing-species-names/.

I'll definitely be thinking about this topic more intentionally now and am eager to read the responses of others. Thank you for raising it!

Rosemary

Decolonizing Species Names

Thu, 2021-10-21 18:45

Hi, I’ve also been thinking about this. I think it’s interesting how we classify wildlife and define belonging. As an Anthrozoology student I have recently read a few papers about this topic that you might find interesting.

Clark, J.L. (2015) Uncharismatic invasives. In Environmental Humanities. 6:1. pp.29-52, discuss how invasive species managers think about the moral status of the animals they are managing. It mentions the ethics of killing animals vilifying them by labeling these animals pets and vermin.

Seymour, M. (2013) ‘Support your local invasive species’: animal protection rhetoric and non-native species. In Society & Animals. 21:1. pp.54-73. Looks at how support for nonnative species can develop from reasons such as concerns for animal welfare, perception of the species’ usefulness or beauty and familiarity with the species that has developed over time.

Woods, M. and Moriarty, P.V. (2001) Strangers in a strange land: the problem of exotic species. In Environmental Values. 10:2. pp.163-191. Discusses what is ‘exotic,’ and of exotic is a species living outside of its ‘native range.’ Is a species native if it evolved there? Is a species invasive if it degrades the ecosystem? What is the value of sentient life against ecological value or biodiversity?

This also makes me think about wilderness. Is it type of landscape or an imagined and romanticized feeling about nature? So many things to think about!