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| title | chunk | source | category | tags | date_saved | instance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invasive species | 9/9 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasive_species | reference | science, encyclopedia | 2026-05-05T07:18:41.562467+00:00 | kb-cron |
== Criticisms of the invasive species discourse == The process of removing and classifying animals as invasive species is not without controversy. Several animal welfare movements have attempted to dissuade the eradication of invasive species. A main point of contention for these activists is the treatment of the invasive species during the eradication process. These proponents argue that the stigma surrounding an invasive species seemingly outweighs the notion that all animals are living beings that deserve respect and care. These activists acknowledge that invasive species contribute to more economic and environmental damage than every natural disaster combined but find the removal process largely unethical and cruel. Other animal activists reject the idea of labeling a species as invasive altogether. These activists posit the labeling of a species as ‘invasive’ constitutes wrongful discrimination that permits systemic violence on the creatures. Proponents of this subset of animal activism profess invasive species labeling is inherently arbitrary and a perpetuator of speciesism, a term coined by Peter Singer to describe the “misguided belief that one species is more important than another.” Once a species is determined to be legally invasive, those animals often fail to be protected by anti-cruelty statutes and inhumane killings of the species, like cane toads in Australia, become commonplace. A growing contingent of scientists, ecologists, and animal welfare activists caution utilizing the term ‘invasive’ for species migrating to new ecosystems. Scientists disclose that climate change has begun pushing species such as white-tailed deer, armadillos, lobsters, unicorn snails, and even maple trees to pursue new ecosystems, a migration necessary to survive hotter temperatures. Rather than labeling these species as invasive, this contingent urges these animals should be welcomed as refugees. The term ‘invasive’ compares these species to enemies in war which warps the public perception of the innocent animals’ livelihood and welfare.
== See also == Adventive plant Archaeophyte Climate change and invasive species Ecologically based invasive plant management Escaped plant Hemerochory Invasion genetics Lists of invasive species Naturalisation (biology) Neophyte (botany) Seed dispersal 100 of the World's Worst Invasive Alien Species
== References ==
=== Attribution === This article incorporates CC-BY-3.0 text from the reference
=== Citations ===
== Further reading == Mitchell, Heidi J.; Bartsch, Detlef (January 21, 2020). "Regulation of GM Organisms for Invasive Species Control". Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology. 7 454. doi:10.3389/fbioe.2019.00454. PMC 6985037. PMID 32039172. Removing Threat from Invasive Species with Genetic Engineering—Science in the News Sheppard, Andy; et al. (September 4, 2023). "The true damage of invasive alien species was just revealed in a landmark report. Here's how we must act". The Conversation. White, Michael (13 Dec 2017) [6 Dec 2017]. "Should We Fight Invasive Species with Genetic Engineering?" Pacific Standard.
== External links == North American Invasive Species Network, a consortium that uses a coordinated network to advance science-based understanding and enhance management of non-native, invasive species. Great Britain Non-native Species Secretariat (NNNS) website CABI Invasive Species Compendium, an encyclopaedic resource of scientific information Invasive Species, National Invasive Species Information Center, United States National Agricultural Library Invasive Species Specialist Group – Global Invasive Species Database Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk project invadingspecies.com of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Aquatic invasive species in Ireland, Inland Fisheries Ireland Invasive alien species in Belgium Belgian Forum on Invasive Species (BFIS)