In chapter five of Rambunctious Garden, Emma Marris introduces the idea of assisted migration to her readers. Assisted migration is the idea of moving a species from one area to another for new hopes that they would strive in that area. This idea, unlike rewilding, has to do with the preservation of a species rather than an environment. Such idea was brought to action due to the climate changes and global warming situation. In the book, an example of the American pika was given. Because the temperature have been rising, the American pikas are forced to climb higher and higher into the mountain for their survival. But what happens when they reach the top, and cannot go and higher? They must simply hope for the best to survive the heat because that possesses a less of a risk than them going down the mountain to migrate to a different area. This is why the idea of assisted migration was brought up.
Although this seems like a good idea, because it seems like this is the only way humans can help these species when they were the one who caused this change, it can actually do more harm than good. One problem is the survival rate. How can we be certain that these species will live successfully in their new environment? What if they die out quicker in their new environment than at their old one? A lot of research would have to go into this, and even if there is a small change of dying out, it will still pose as a risk. Another problem is the possibly of the new species taking over the already inhabited species of the environment. The new species could pose as a threat to the ones already there, and squeeze them out. This would completely lose the point of the assisted migration in the first place for although they are helping one species, they are harming one or more others.
For assisted migration to be successful, positives MUST exceed the negatives substantially, and should only be performed if the chance of extinction of a species is high. The time, research, investment, and workload that would have to go in completely moving a whole species in an environment is an immense amount of work that must be carefully thought through before implementing. And because of the lack of information that we have, or can acquire, it will be risky as to say that our statistics and sources are accurate. The information that we have on the target species and the environment would have to be accurate and extensive as well.
Overall, I think, if implemented correctly and carefully, assisted migration would be a very great plan. However, as humans, the chance of failure holds us back from completely supporting this idea. But with the information, time, investment, and help, this idea can bring about to a whole new way of conserving species.
