As the world becomes increasingly globalized, with international and transoceanic travel at our fingertips, a new challenge presents itself. Many creatures have become unwanted passengers stealing a ride on boats, planes, trains, and automobiles. Invasive species are becoming more prominent as the world becomes more connected. There are over 6,500 invasive species in the United States alone, accounting for almost 4% of all species in the country (BIA). The common narrative is that invasive species are a detriment to ecosystems, and that a single organism that is out of place has the potential to destroy a whole region. This view is upheld by many invasive species, such as the Asian Long-Horned Beetle, which has already destroyed millions of evergreen trees on the West Coast, or the Burmese Python, a snake which can grow up to 20 feet long, and has reportedly killed over 90% of the Everglades mammal population, and killed a two-year-old girl (History).
However, as more research on invasive species comes out, an alternative perspective appears. The majority of scientists now believe that not all invasive species are as dangerous as previously thought, and that the societal want for species to stay in their natural habitat is more backed by xenophobia than science (NYT). Alien species have been used throughout the 21st century to help support endangered species, such as the monarch butterfly in California, who’s population has been steadily declining since the mid 1990s. This butterfly is now thriving in the winters on eucalyptus trees, a species that stowed away on a boat from Australia (NYT). Similarly, in Hawaii, where there is a need for seed dispersal methods and pollination since native bird species are in a decline, non-native birds from across the globe are starting to pick up where the birds who went extinct left off (Scientific American). These new birds have helped a hurting ecosystem revive itself to the high levels of biodiversity that once were.
Alternatively, species that went extinct in certain regions but made a comeback are now being labeled as invasive, and are being pushed out of the ecosystems they helped to create. For example, the Scottish beaver, once native to the region, was hunted to extinction during the 16th century, then made a comeback in the early 2000s, only to be labeled as invasive, and forced out of the ecosystem. Now, Scottish wildlife authorities are facilitating the reintroduction of the beaver, and are monitoring how the ecosystem changes (SWT).
As with any environmental concern, the issue of invasive species does not have a one size fits all solution. While some parties believe that invasive species should be tolerated and let run their course, others believe that trade should be limited with places not ecologically linked. Neither of these approaches are fully applicable, rather, this is an issue that needs to be addressed on a case-by-case basis, but it definitely needs a lot of thought and work to create a solution that
Works Cited:
“2022 National Invasive Species Awareness Week | Indian Affairs.” Www.bia.gov, www.bia.gov/guide/2022-national-invasive-species-awareness-week#:~:text=There%20ar. Accessed 16 Dec. 2023.
Case, Samuel B. “Invasive Species Can Sometimes Help an Ecosystem.” Scientific American, 12 June 2021, www.scientificamerican.com/article/invasive-species-can-sometimes-help-an-ecosystem/.
Goode, Erica. “Invasive Species Aren’t Always Unwanted.” The New York Times, 29 Feb. 2016, www.nytimes.com/2016/03/01/science/invasive-species.html#:~:text=But%20a%20growi. Accessed 16 Dec. 2023.
Little, Becky. “7 Invasive Species That Have Wreaked Havoc in the US.” HISTORY, 24 Feb. 2020, www.history.com/news/invasive-species-list-mammals-birds-aquatic.
“Plants and Animals // LandScope America.” Www.landscope.org, www.landscope.org/explore/plants/#:~:text=Biodiversity%20101. Accessed 16 Dec. 2023.
“Scottish Beavers.” Scottish Wildlife Trust, scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/our-work/our-projects/scottish-beavers/#:~:text=Eurasian%20. Accessed 16 Dec. 2023.
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