After reading about Pleistocene rewilding, another idea has been introduced that considers moving species: assisted migration. Assisted migration moves species in response to climate changes. Around the world, changes include the amount of rain pouring in areas (increasing or decreasing), the timing of flowers blooming. The effect of climate changes will cause species will have to move to different places at different times they are used to, meaning species will have to adapt to these changes. As always, some will die and some will survive through the process of natural selection.
The author stated the first species to be extinct would be mountain species because of poleward changes, there would be less area on the mountain to live on. Some people will think to move the species to another mountaintop but there’s come the argument that they are invasive and that unknown results will come from it.
The two viewpoints as to if assisted migration are the following: Humans caused the climate change so by moving species and saving them from extinction are doing good. However, to conservationists, it is important that if a species is not native then it can’t live in that area. Baselines can’t be changed easily.
In an urban ecology, I believe assisted migration would be a good idea depending on certain circumstances. If a species was on the risk of extinction, easy to transport, and brings benefits to the city or the area, I believe it is reasonable to do it. Biodiversity does seem to be lacking in cities. While adding aesthetic value to the city, it will awesome attract more people to the city. However, what species to include is most important.
The truth of the matter is we don’t always know if a certain species will be able to grow in an area. Experiments can be run to see what is suitable where but according the book, some studies take years or decades to show results. That means certainty over whether it will work or not can only be implemented years later. To only get the truth years or decades later is too long to wait. We must make a choice as to whether or not assisted migration should be a course of action to take.
Assisted migration seems to me to be a useful method for the biodiversity of urban ecology. Although people might argue these species are invasive, there many species in New York City that were invasive before adapting to the climate. If there are some benefits, why not try this method?
