Assisted Migration is a hot topic of debate in the ecological community. The two sides can’t seem to agree on whether or not the moving of species to more desirable environments is a worthwhile venture. There are some clear positives to such a procedure. According to Marris, with the shifts in climate due to human induced factors such as carbon dioxide output, ecosystems are experiencing great changes that deeply affect the survival of its inhabitants. For example, if temperatures change significantly in the small pocket of land where T. Taxifolia (a type of pine tree) grows, this endangered species could face extinction. The idea behind Assisted Migration, is to move species like T. Taxifolia, that are in danger of suffering due to climate change, to areas that better suit their environmental needs. If the process to assist these species is a success, the positives are that a species is saved from possible extinction and the diversity of the ecosystem it was moved to increases. There are some dangers in this process that also need to be addressed. A worst-case scenario would be that the species being moved becomes an invasive species in its new ecosystem and hinders the development of the species already established there. To prevent such difficulties, extensive research needs to be done on the species and its needs as well as the new ecosystem in order to determine whether or not the outcome will be an encouraging one. Rushing into an Assisted Migration is apt to result in negative results and the subsequent damaging of both the species being moved and the species surrounding it. In my opinion, Assisted Migration is a promising practice that needs to be researched extensively before putting it into action. While it may result in saving a species, it also has the potential to wreak havoc on an ecosystem if conducted incorrectly.
This concept of sufficient research comes into play when talking about Assisted Migration involving urban ecosystems, in particular New York City. The Puth and Burns article focused on a study of available research on biological diversity in New York City and the surrounding areas. This information is key to determining whether or not Assisted Migration is something that can potentially benefit species as well as the ecosystems of the city. The article’s data specifically states the number of ecological studies based on habitat type and taxonomic group. This is key to determining if there is currently sufficient data on whatever species is being introduced and the environment it is being introduced to. For example, there were 48 studies on mammals but only 3 on reptiles. This shows that there is either a very weak population of reptiles around the city or there is a lack of research about them. In either case, if the goal is to incorporate a reptile into the city’s landscape, more research is required to ensure the endeavor is a safe one for all species involved. The Puth and Burns article is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to Assisted Migration in New York City.
