Re: George Ball's NYT op-ed article

**Scott Vlaun s*@moosepondarts.com**

For anyone who is seriously interested in the topic of invasive  
species I recommend George Theodoropulous' Invasion Biology, Critique  
of a Psuedoscience.  His opinion, which is shared by many others,  
especially in the permaculture community, is that the so-called  
invasive species problem is often more an issue of disrupted  
ecosystems where exotics may be more suitable as pioneer species.  
Obviously an extremely complex issue, but biological invasions rarely  
occur in intact ecosystems while the promoters of eradicating  
"invasives" are often tied to chemical herbicide interests.

Whether you agree or not, the book is well-reasoned and -researched  
and full of food for thought.

Scott Vlaun
Moose Pond Arts+Ecology
Design Solutions for a Sustainable Future

35 Moose Pond Road
Otisfield, Maine 04270
207-739-2409 Studio
207-890-4099 Cell

On Mar 27, 2006, at 11:40 AM, Fran wrote:

> Where are these unpublished letters coming from?
>
> Fran
>
> Maryann Whitman wrote:
>
>> Another unpublished letter to the editor:
>>
>> To the editor:
>> George Ball ("Border War" Op-Ed, March 19) argues that the border
>> control options for plants are to either allow or outlaw the  
>> importation
>> of all non-native species. Invasive plants cause economic damage  
>> to the
>> US totaling $35billion/year, and most are intentionally introduced  
>> for
>> ornamental purposes. Paradoxically, only about 5% of introduced  
>> species
>> become invasive and cause harm. The other 95% never escape and  
>> instead
>> generate benefits as garden plants and crops. Invasive species can be
>> accurately identified prior to introduction, making it possible to
>> exclude harmful species while allowing beneficial ones. It is a shame
>> that Ball didn't consider this middle ground option, because it is
>> closer to where the opinions of most scientists, environmentalists,
>> plant sellers and policy makers lie. Indeed, the Department of
>> Agriculture may soon begin screening non-native plant species for
>> invasiveness. This would be a vastly different, and vastly more
>> desirable, option than either of the extremes offered by Ball.
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Reuben
>> Department of Biological Sciences
>> University of Notre Dame
>>
>> Maryann
>>
>> Maryann Whitman
>> Editor, Wild Ones Journal
>> www.for-wild.org
>>
>> Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes: promotes  
>> environmentally sound
>> landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity through the  
>> preservation,
>> restoration and establishment of native plant communities. Wild  
>> Ones is a
>> not-for-profit environmental education and advocacy organization.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: gardenwriters-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
>> [g*@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of  
>> Marge Talt
>> Sent: Sunday, March 26, 2006 1:49 AM
>> To: Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden Writers Forum
>> Subject: Re: [GWL] George Ball's NYT op-ed article
>>
>> Thank you, Dan.  Good point regarding the substitution of people for
>> plants.  Considering that we are a nation of in-comers on the human
>> side, it does seem unfair to expect all other life forms to all
>> originate here.
>>
>> Those who excoriate all 'exotic' plants would have a very meager diet
>> should their desire to ban all of them become reality.
>>
>> Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
>> mtalt@hort.net
>> Shadyside Garden Designs
>>
>> ----------
>>
>>
>>> From: Dan Clost <dan.clost@sympatico.ca>
>>> That's a terrific post, Marg. I thoroughly enjoyed it and learned a
>>>
>>>
>> great
>>
>>
>>> deal. Thank you.
>>>
>>> After reading Panayoti Kelaidis' quote I substituted the word
>>>
>>>
>> people for
>>
>>
>>> plant for this exercise.
>>> How far back would we go to determine native and invasive?  Why
>>>
>>>
>> would this
>>
>>
>>> be different from plants? Should we all go back to our "native"
>>>
>>>
>> lands?
>>
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