Increased biodiversity, protection of native species and low food miles are the pros. Increased reproduction and intentional spread are the cons.
Introduced non-native species are causing problems wherever they are found. Some experts suggest including them in the local diet. But others contend this creates a ‘market’ leading to further spread of the species.
If people begin to make money by selling the species as food, whether it be crayfish, grey squirrel, rabbit or even plants like Japanese knotweed, there may be a temptation to ensure a continued supply by introducing the non-native into another area, compounding the problem. With plants, ensuring that seed is not accidentally spread during ‘harvest’ is also an issue.
For some species, such as rabbits and squirrels, a reduction in population results in an increase in breeding, mother nature’s response to fill a void. So any removal program needs to keep up its level of action until a ‘tipping point’ is reached where the numbers are so low that the reproductive rates can’t keep up.
But a properly designed program might just be the answer where it is clear that complete extirpation of a species is highly unlikely. It is environmentally positive on several levels. Removal of alien species usually results in increased biodiversity, reduced pressure on native species and, because it would be ‘harvested’ locally, the food miles are minimal.
So what’s on the menu near you?
