Comments on the OPB program: “Silent Invasion”
This program reported the ugly fact that invasive species are taking over living space from natural species which normally grow or live here in Oregon. To cite two examples from the program: first there was the plant which is not local but came from a southern place and it took over some area but the animals gracing there could not eat it. Second in some lakes the local fishes are driven out by new comers which then replace the old inhabitants of the lake. The new comers are not edible and a food source was consequently lost to the locals. Both items are attributed to global warming. My comment on the situation is, that the program should have been named: “Dynamics of Nature”.
Now Global Warming is an established fact, so we will have to live with it. If the NPSO (Native Plant Society of Oregon) insists of removing all plants which are not native what is going to happen? First there is the invasion of plants from California into Oregon by plants which are now able to exist in more northerly regions . Second the present native plants will move northwards because the climatic conditions for their growth and flourishing has now moved northwards into Washington and Canada. The plants which cannot move very fast, like trees, will slowly die out and then what have we left? Bare soil and or grasses or plants and animals which can tolerate a wider scope of climatic conditions. Maybe some small crucifers and what else? I don’t know. Ah, yes, and mosquitoes.
This program reported the ugly fact that invasive species are taking over living space from natural species which normally grow or live here in Oregon. To cite two examples from the program: first there was the plant which is not local but came from a southern place and it took over some area but the animals gracing there could not eat it. Second in some lakes the local fishes are driven out by new comers which then replace the old inhabitants of the lake. The new comers are not edible and a food source was consequently lost to the locals. Both items are attributed to global warming. My comment on the situation is, that the program should have been named: “Dynamics of Nature”.
Now Global Warming is an established fact, so we will have to live with it. If the NPSO (Native Plant Society of Oregon) insists of removing all plants which are not native what is going to happen? First there is the invasion of plants from California into Oregon by plants which are now able to exist in more northerly regions . Second the present native plants will move northwards because the climatic conditions for their growth and flourishing has now moved northwards into Washington and Canada. The plants which cannot move very fast, like trees, will slowly die out and then what have we left? Bare soil and or grasses or plants and animals which can tolerate a wider scope of climatic conditions. Maybe some small crucifers and what else? I don’t know. Ah, yes, and mosquitoes.
I'm quite familiar with the concept of "invasive species," but I've never heard this point before. Thanks, Opa.
Posted by
Tony Piff |
11:00 AM