tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201378124228558245.post6202235807805046352..comments2024-03-28T17:07:55.110-07:00Comments on Strategies for Stewards: from woods to prairies : Weed? Alien? Invasive? Malignant?Stephen Packardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01811489977185760340noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201378124228558245.post-22754012388437200112014-11-30T21:56:02.436-08:002014-11-30T21:56:02.436-08:00I was watching "Star Wars" and came acro...I was watching "Star Wars" and came across a word that seems to describe your problem species. You could call them "insidious." Although, I would find it hard to take anyone seriously who would describe species by using that word.James McGeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12813312887957290703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201378124228558245.post-37127332749876930632014-10-05T15:25:04.234-07:002014-10-05T15:25:04.234-07:00I remember during our wedding ceremony that our mi...I remember during our wedding ceremony that our minister instructed to me “you will learn to understand that words matter.” At the time, I found the statement curious and figured it had to do with the fact that my fiancée (now wife of 21 years) is a journalist. Regardless of what our minister’s intent was, I have certainly learned that words do matter. While I will always struggle to find the best descriptive words to communicate my message, I can quickly recognize the power of a few well crafted words spoken or written by others. Given the fact so few people are involved with restoring our lands and our society only has the attention span for “McNews” and quick sound bites, I think Stephen is right that we need a better word for “invasives” and perhaps other aspects of ecological restoration as well.<br /> <br />David <br />David Cordrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06890014621715331651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201378124228558245.post-40839636342638450132014-10-04T20:14:33.302-07:002014-10-04T20:14:33.302-07:00I think the restoration community puts too much em...I think the restoration community puts too much emphasis on having one all embracing label for species that require control efforts. I think we do not need to have a label to fits all problem species. Instead, I think the restoration community needs to explain to the public actions and the results.<br /><br />For Example<br /><br />Action: Buckthorn was introduced from Europe as an ornamental plant.<br />Result: In the absence of natural predators it has dominated the ecosystem at the expense of almost all native species. Some of the cherished species that are disappearing include x, y, and z.<br /><br />Action: Removing Buckthorn<br />Result: Decimated cherished native species like x, y, and z have been observed to recover.<br /><br />Action: Eliminating fire from the Savanna ecosystem which developed in the presence of this phenomenon.<br />Result: The native burr oaks that invest energy into making thick bark lose out to faster growing trees like sugar maple, cherry, elm, etc. <br /><br />Action: Returning fire to a Savanna ecosystem that has not been burned in many years.<br />Result: Establishment of new individuals of maple, cherry, elm, etc. is prevented but tree removal will need to occur to eliminated established individuals of these species. The result of these combined actions is restoration to a habitat structure needed for species x, y, and z.<br /><br />JamesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com