Why Do Invasive Species Get So Much Hate? (Ft. Hank Green)

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Nature League is a Complexly production

Nature League is a weekly edutainment channel that explores life on Earth and asks questions that inspire us to marvel at all things wild. Join host Brit Garner each week to learn about, connect to, and love the amazing living systems on Earth and the mechanics that drive them.

[EVEspinosa]

The most opinionated, encyclopedic and geekiest guys on scishow. I love this.

[Master_Therion]

Awesome! I loved seeing Hank on Nature League, even though this isn't a channel he's normally on.
Wait, does this mean Hank Green is an invasive species?

[ericvilas]

Watching nerds nerding out about stuff they both are very interested in is incredibly fun.
I loved this episode a ton.

[abbybez]

As an undergrad doing research with invasive plants, I think this is a great discussion. Our lab meetings have delved into this kind of philosophy and it always fascinates me! Thanks for talking about this.

[InfectedChris]

This was a great episode! I could listen to you two talk for a long time. I really enjoyed the back and forth and how much philosophical thought is involved in this issue.

[HaphazardHomestead]

If the metric is simply "life", then invasive species are not a problem. If there's any distinction between types of life, then there's a value judgement about preferences for one type of life or another, or relationships among lives. The more distinctions among types of lives or their relationships, the more value judgments there have to be. So there's value judgments all over the place as we consciously connect with the world around us. And plenty of policy conflict.

I'm in favor of protecting genetic diversity, because it provides greater resilience of ecosystems (including energy flows and environmental processes) in the face of extremes. Species that are rare because they persist in a niche environment, or because they are the last of their kind, have more 'value' than species that are 'invasive' across many environments. Once the genetics of the rare species are lost, it's lost for good. So 'invasive' species that put rare species at risk are a problem, in my view.

Beyond protecting rare species, I'm in favor of protecting ecosystem processes. So an 'invasive' species that kick out key species or unravel a lot of ecosystem processes are problem 'invasives'. That would include 'invasive' species that change an area's fire regime or river and groundwater hydrology.

Anyway, that's my value judgement. It's one reason I encourage folks to harvest the edible invasive species in their areas. Foraging helps folks connect to their local environment - and appreciate how habitat loss and invasive species are more serious threats than picking wild plants and mushrooms.

[Laura-vvyu]

I live in South Dakota, our state bird is the non-native Ring-Necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus). Some of the local economy relys on pheasant hunting and related activities. An interesting example of how "invasive" species has a lot to do with economics! I have to giggle to myself a little every time the news reports that the pheasant population is not doing so well.

[connecticutaggie]

Fun conversation. I as I have grown up, I have grown to find grey much more interesting than black or white.
BTW, Here is Oregon, there is a love/hate with Blackberries. They are super tasty and super invasive; and, I think birds are the bigger culprit regarding their spread. Note: One of the most loved berries in Oregon is the Marionberry - which, i believe, was bred from the un-beloved Blackberry. Humans are so complicated ;)

[aphuss]

This is one of my favorite topics to geek out on!

Some resources I've found helpful in thinking about this topic.

Beyond the War on Invasive Species: A Permaculture Approach to Ecosystem Restoration

This book is pretty straightforwardly against the conventional definitions on invasion biology by a practicing permaculture farmer/former ecosystem restoration manager.

Staying with the Trouble by Donna Harraway

I feel like if you ever find yourself using the term athropocene in conversation on a regular basis, you should have to read some Donna Harraway.

[mikmak]

This was such a great episode! Thank you, Brit and Hank!

[hywodena]

How did I only just find out about this channel??

[SimplyEyeCatching]

I love this. It has provoked thoughts I have never had before. I'm constantly surprised by the information that can be hidden from us in plain sight. Thanks for giving me more to think about.

[andrewmarshall]

Australia has a range of invasive species that range from cute to ugly. Cane toads, rabbits, brumbys, water buffalo, camels and more. People are often devised depending on the species. We all hate cane roads, while brumbys are decisive because people love horses.

[j.d.]

As an Aussie, I have to point out the introduction of many species to this continent and how it hasn't been for the better. Some plant introductions, have remained where they were intended to be... in the home garden... and still brighten our world.

[thesuccessfulone]

16:15 Diversity can be achieved by random mutations in the genome of a species. The problem would be the threshold of mutation/extinction, life will find a way to hold on unless it is wiped out before adapting.

[patrickhoffman]

Part of invasive species management is about maintaining global biodiversity. It is true that in some instances local diversity increases (although that isn't typically the case), but invasive species forcing other species to extinction decreases biodiversity worldwide. I get the impression that Brit doesn't mind loss of biodiversity as long as there is a species feeling a given niche. There are so many reasons to maintain species diversity, OMG, I am going to stop before I write an essay. Great topic!

[matbeckervideo]

Love this conversation. I often try to convey to others that just because a plant is non-native does not automatically mean that it's bad, and in fact in many cases can provide benefits to a local ecosystem. I find this especially to be true in urban environments, which are totally "unnatural" spaces to begin with; how can a plant be native to a place that didn't exist 100-200 years ago?


I also resonated with Hank's comment that "entropy is the only thing to fight". As a collections curator at a museum of natural history, the idea of preserving what will inevitably disappear is at the very heart of what we do, and I do think this applies to all human endeavor, including how we manage our own lives. I think it's interesting that you both were concerned about being overly philosophical, because I think almost any law or policy, when examined closely, is rooted in some sort of philosophical or moral belief, and I really enjoyed getting to hear those perspectives. So thank you Brit and Hank! Love the work you are doing.

[ericharkleroad]

This is a fantastic conversation that more people need to have and think about! You have addressed many of the issues I struggle with on this topic. There are no easy answers but the conversation is important.

[seanferguson]

Brilliant!!! Love this episode, I love the dialogue format and exploring philosophy of ecology

[marksrfc]

this video was so good.
as someone who wants to go on to study conservation biology and/or ecology its very interesting to here from two people experienced in the field discuss the nuances of the subject. Thanks so much brit and hank!