Stories of invasive species taking over an ecosystem, wiping out another species spread as rampantly as these invasive species themselves. However, this term “invasive species” seems to be rather new. Humans have been introducing new species to environments constantly, from the “root balls of nursery trees, in packing material, in ballast water, in the wheel wells of aircraft, and in the mud on our boots” (Marris). These newly introduced species “naturalize” quite comfortably at times and adapt into its new home very well, to the point it disrupts the balance of the existing ecosystem.
Movements began during the 1990’s to repair the destructive effects of invasive species. In 1995, South African non-profit, Working for Water “created jobs for poor people removing invasive plants that “divert enormous amounts of water from more productive uses” (Marris). In 1999, Clinton launched a campaign for “all agencies to avoid spreading them and to stamp them out, wherever possible” (Marris). People began to realize the harm that these newly introduced species exceeded what the environment could sustain. National Park Service organized strike teams to eliminate harmful species. An ecosystem evolves and although all these scientists and movements hold evidence that these organism affect their surroundings for the worst, they should know that no species is really native or invasive rather the quantity of the change. Any drastic environmental shift will hurt the environment at first until it plateaus into a more static ecosystem.
Movement among nature is natural. This movement refers to the gradual migration of a species into a new territory. Mark Davis, an ecologist at Macalester University challenges the 1990’s ideology of invasive species stating it might not be necessarily a negative thing to have new species as species have always been migrating, just at different rates. People often overlook the case studies where species improve on existing ecosystems. Rather than compete with the native species, “Pyura praeputialis, a squidgy brown sea-squirt-like creature from Australia, has increased biodiversity on Chilean rocky tidal shores by cementing itself down and creating a gelatinous landscape in which large invertebrates and algae can thrive” (Marris). Sometimes invasive species serve as a replacements or shelter for existing species. Jeff Foster at the University of Illinois and Scott Robinson at the University of Florida discovered exotic birds that “are dispersing the seeds of native plants since many native birds have gone extinct” (Marris). In Britain, blue tit chicks found gall wasps as a replacement for the endangered caterpillars. Nature demonstrates that invasive species or unfamiliar species can actually serve to improve an ecosystem.
Scientists, politicians, and businessmen should strive to maintain the delicate balance of our environment before further damages is done. Some viable next moves would be to research into the species in each ecosystem and their roles. Then, find replacements and back-up plans that would be feasible in terms of execution and cost-efficiency. Politicians would drive the regulations and enforce the rules amongst society so that corporations and people alike will all cooperate and abide by the rules to further protect the environment. Businessmen would be the ones to raise the funds and develop strategies to spread the word out. Social entrepreneurs would engage their audience to encourage people to donate and raise funds that directly contribute to the reconstruction and development of damaged environments. Together they would be able to build a better future to repair ecosystems and the tarnished names of some “invasive species.”
