Climate change: We may have to learn to live with invasive species

Govts, conservation organisations spend enormous amount of time and funding targeting the control of invasive species

- Heather Kharouba

Invasive species are often looked upon with suspicion.

From non-native "weeds" to insects and aquatic invaders, introduced (or non-native) species continue to be misunderstood - and consequently often mismanaged.

Stated plainly, the vast majority of intentionally or unintentionally introduced species are not a threat to native ecosystems.

Governments and conservation organizations spend an enormous amount of their time and funding targeting the control of invasive species. Yet, most introduced species removal efforts are ineffective, time-consuming and usually unsuccessful in the long term. Certainly, some invasive species — such as the zebra mussel or the emerald ash borer — can pose a threat to native habitats and efforts to control their spread are worthwhile. However, the vast majority of introduced species pose no danger at all to native ecosystems and in some cases can even provide new benefits.