Assisted Migration

Most scientists consider “the biggest single thumbprint humans have put on this planet” (Marris Page 74) to be the resultants of global warming. The planet as we know it is changing dramatically. Species around the world are hazardously affected by it. Climate patterns become unpredictable and temperatures and precipitation vary. Because of this, many species have been forced or at least try to migrate to a more suitable environment. Scientists have thought of the concept of assisted migration. Assisted migration or assisted colonization is basically the notion of humans physically helping organisms on their path to a more suitable climate. Migration in this sense is to be read as species that slowly move in geological timescales based on climate changes. Many argue that this is the only way that human beings can save these species. Since humans were the ones to cause this dramatic climate change, we should be the ones to be held responsible of the consequences. However, there are scientists who gravely opposed this idea. Some problems of assisted migration include whether the organisms will possibly survive in these new areas or if they will flourish so immensely well that they become invasive species, pushing out the native species. Scientists are left with a ethical decision and a choice for the greater good. Assisted migration should only be performed when there is a high risk of extinction due to climate change, the possibility for transporting these species, and if the benefits outweigh cost and constraints. For example, performing assisted migration on seeds is one thing. To perform assisted migration on beetles is another story. The time, cost, and effort it would take to move an entire species of just solely beetles will take up much too many resources, with not much foreseeable success nor benefit. Some scientists also argue that putting different species that have never before have interacted with each could cause unprecedented extremities that could possibly wipe out all the species in the area. There are a great number of possible limitations and advantages to assisted migration. Most would imagine the movement of butterflies, however, if one were to imagine such in an urban context, the migration of trees can greatly benefit certain populations. Moving trees further north or south can benefit population growth in terms of building human architectural landscape. With population growth, more land must be consumed to house human beings. As species and in some cases, entire forests migrate to different more unpopulated areas, we may see more land for humans to live on. In addition, assisted migration can be very helpful in terms of utilization in ecosystems. Species that are near the verge of extinction can be possibly saved and possibly beneficial to the surrounding organisms. The problem again remains that we do not know of the outcomes that will arise from doing so. Also, the time, effort, and money it will take is quite large. Despite all these limitations, assisted migration has its benefits. We can start in our own homes and scientists can progress from there.