Center, Internet, Wildlife Damage Management
Human–Wildlife Interactions
The “Non-native” Enigma
Date of this Version
Spring 2016
Document Type
Article
Citation
Human–Wildlife Interactions (Spring 2016) 10(1): article 17
doi: 10.26077/ph26-qc17
Special topic: Wildlife and wind energy: Are they compatible?
Abstract
Non-native species have been introduced to ecosystems throughout the world, and in some instances, have degraded the invaded system. Consequently, the distinction between native and non-native species has become an integral component of conservation planning. Recently however, the conservation value of the distinction has been questioned. We examine how the native versus non-native dichotomy is intrinsically ambiguous, which therefore limits the conservation utility of the designation in and of itself. A large degree of uncertainty exists as to whether many species are or are not native. Measures outside the non-native dichotomy (e.g., impacts, evolutionary ecology, paleontology) could better inform conservation efforts, because species’ ranges are part of dynamic processes. We recommend that the field of conservation should avoid arbitrary points in history as benchmarks and incorporate findings from multiple disciplines to better manage resources.