Photo: Russian Olive, southwest Montana. © 2020 Delena Norris-Tull
Summary thoughts on research on causes of the success or failure of biological invasions
Commentary by Dr. Delena Norris-Tull, Professor Emerita of Science Education, University of Montana Western, July 2020.
It is clear from the literature review that not enough research has been conducted to reach a clear understanding of the various factors that contribute to the success or the failure of introduced species in a non-native range. For each species, are there multiple factors that interact with each other, to result in either success of failure? Are the factors so specific to individual species that no general approach to plant management can be successful? Or is it more accurate to say that there are multiple factors that interact with each other, to result in either success of failure?
It seems clear that it will remain challenging to determine which combination of factors contribute to the success or failure of each species.
Within this website, the sections on Herbicide Resistance discuss the reality that many invasive species evolve to become resistant to the herbicides and pesticides designed to keep them under control. Chemical manufacturing companies keep inventing new chemicals in what may be a useless attempt to come up with chemicals for which invasive species will not develop resistance.
The sections on Biocontrol and the other research cited in these webpage summaries point to the possibility that plant species evolve in the introduced range and can become resistant to the same specialist herbivores that controlled them in their native range.
Are we fighting a losing battle to control invasive species?
Rather than pumping billions of dollars annually into eradication of introduced species that have become economic or ecological problems, shouldn’t we be putting those dollars into much more research, to ensure that our management practices have a greater chance of being effective?
Link to return to the research on Invasive Success Hypotheses:
Summary thoughts on research on causes of the success or failure of biological invasions
Commentary by Dr. Delena Norris-Tull, Professor Emerita of Science Education, University of Montana Western, July 2020.
It is clear from the literature review that not enough research has been conducted to reach a clear understanding of the various factors that contribute to the success or the failure of introduced species in a non-native range. For each species, are there multiple factors that interact with each other, to result in either success of failure? Are the factors so specific to individual species that no general approach to plant management can be successful? Or is it more accurate to say that there are multiple factors that interact with each other, to result in either success of failure?
It seems clear that it will remain challenging to determine which combination of factors contribute to the success or failure of each species.
Within this website, the sections on Herbicide Resistance discuss the reality that many invasive species evolve to become resistant to the herbicides and pesticides designed to keep them under control. Chemical manufacturing companies keep inventing new chemicals in what may be a useless attempt to come up with chemicals for which invasive species will not develop resistance.
The sections on Biocontrol and the other research cited in these webpage summaries point to the possibility that plant species evolve in the introduced range and can become resistant to the same specialist herbivores that controlled them in their native range.
Are we fighting a losing battle to control invasive species?
Rather than pumping billions of dollars annually into eradication of introduced species that have become economic or ecological problems, shouldn’t we be putting those dollars into much more research, to ensure that our management practices have a greater chance of being effective?
Link to return to the research on Invasive Success Hypotheses:
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