Date: Fri, 11 Jul 97 11:16:48 EST From: "Marj Boyer" <Marj_Boyer@mail.agr.state.nc.us> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg2613$foo@default> Subject: Re: Reintroduction of cp into natural habitats
Thanks to Paul McCullough for putting the question out there for
comment rather than going ahead on his own introducing cp's to wild
habitats.
And I strongly (not crazily) second Sean Barry's response: DON"T DO
IT. You can't guarantee that there will be no adverse results, and if
there are adverse results, there's NO WAY TO UNDO THEM. My job is
preserving endangered species, and I CONSTANTLY see introduced plants
overwhelming the natives.
Out in the wild everything's connected in myriad and subtle ways that
we humans know nothing of. Introducing a new element into the mix of a
natural environment, even when the immediate consequences seem minor
and benign, can have dire consequences to some species many steps away
in the environmental connections. And as Sean pointed out, there are
plenty of examples of obvious ill consequences of introductions -
often the introductions done with the best of intentions (starlings,
Japanese honeysuckle, water hyacinth...).
Also keep in mind that natural spots BELONG TO SOMEONE - even when
that someone is the government. Just think how you would feel if
someone decided YOUR bog was a good place to try something new,
without your knowledge or consent. A natural site, private or public,
preserves the native ecosystem, and there are people managing it for a
purpose, and THEY are the ones to decide whether something gets
introduced or taken away or whatever.
To satisfy the urge to bestow your generosity on the natural habitat,
you might contact your local Nature Conservancy chapter (in NJ call
(908) 879-7262), state Natural Heritage Program (in NJ call (609)
984-0097), or a botanical gerden involved with the Center for Plant
Conservation. There are instances where reintroductions are highly
desirable and someone with a green thumb is needed to propagate plants
or to advise on caring for plants in the wild. The important thing is
COMMUNICATION -- nobody acting on their own.
Marj Boyer, Botanist
North Carolina Plant Conservation Program
Marj_Boyer@ncdamail.agr.state.nc.us
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