Invasion Ecology: Unraveling the History of Invasive Species and Their Impacts

The Poor Prole’s Almanac

Bleav + The Poor Prole’s Alamanac

Home & Garden, Science, Nature, Leisure, Education, How To

5 • 761 Ratings

🗓️ 8 July 2024

⏱️ 30 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Unlock the secrets of invasion ecology and transform your understanding of invasive species with our latest episode on the Poor Proles Almanac. Andy takes the lead in unraveling the complex dynamics of invasives by using case studies, such as the autumn olive in New England, revealing both its beneficial traits and its invasive consequences. By contrasting this plant with the native silverberry, we reveal how historical land management practices, like fire and grazing, have shaped their spread. Learn how hardiness zones, soil conditions, and human activities play pivotal roles in the success and control of these species. In our exploration of eco-evolutionary experience, we dive into the intricate relationships between native and invasive species. Discover how the invasive Argentine ant disrupts seed planting in South Africa's Fynbos Biome, and trace the global spread of Japanese knotweed from a single introduction. We discuss the rapid adaptability of invasive species and their lasting ecological impacts, such as soil changes and hybridization threats. Historical perspectives, including Howard Odom's maximum power principle, offer a deeper understanding of how invasives thrive based on energy efficiency. We round out the episode by addressing the profound implications of invasive species on ecosystems and the critical importance of ecological integrity. Examine how modern societal practices contribute to habitat destruction and species homogenization, and why preserving native landscapes is crucial. Our concluding discussion focuses on ecological restoration, highlighting the indispensable role of indigenous stewardship and the preservation of native plants. Join us for a nuanced conversation that emphasizes the long-term goal of ensuring the legacy of our natural world for future generations. For sources and to read more about this subject, visit: www.agroecologies.org Buy the original magazine where this piece was published!https://mergoat.com/product/preorder-vol-2-n1-a-horde-a-heap-a-pile/ To support this podcast, join our patreon for early episode access at https://www.patreon.com/poorprolesalmanac For PPA Writing Content, visit: www.agroecologies.org For PPA Restoration Content, visit: www.restorationagroecology.com For PPA Merch, visit: www.poorproles.com For PPA Native Plants, visit: www.nativenurseries.org To hear Tomorrow, Today, our sister podcast, visit: www.tomorrowtodaypodcast.org/ keywords: Invasion Ecology, Invasive Species, Autumn Olive, Silverberry, Land Management, Fire, Grazing, Hardiness Zones, Soil Conditions, Human Activities, Eco-Evolutionary Experience, Argentine Ant, Seed Planting, Japanese Knotweed, Genetic Bottlenecks, Generalist Strategies, Soil Alteration, Hybridization, Black Locust, Native Mulberry, Capitalism, Profit, Homogenization, Permaculture, Sociopolitical Dimensions, Ecological Integrity, Climate Change, Habitat Destruction, Indigenous Stewardship, Native Plants, Ecosystems, Mutual Care, Evolution, Legacy

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome back to the Porpo's Almanac, this is Andy.
0:18.0	And today we're talking about invasion ecology or invasive species.
0:22.2	Because of the subject matter itself, I've decided to make it a monologue instead of a conversation
0:27.6	because I think it'll be more effective at delivering the depth of content that we're looking to give here.
0:33.6	Additionally, I'd highly recommend picking up Merurgot Magazine's most recent edition as the same
0:38.8	article is included with thorough citations.
0:42.7	So to talk about invasive species, we need to back up.
0:46.4	And I think it's really helpful to look at an invasive species to begin this conversation.
0:52.0	So here in New England, the autumnolve is considered a non-native
0:55.9	invasive plant species. In late spring, the trees vibrate with pollinators, up to 47 different
1:02.6	documented types, happily jumping from flower to flower. The late falls an explosion of red that
1:09.4	many birds gobble up.
1:11.4	The fruit turns to energy and the seeds which will be nourished by the nojules on the roots of the tree are dropped across the landscape and work their way into soil.
1:21.3	These nojules fixate nitrogen into the soil, the same chemical found in commercial fertilizers to improve soils for plant growth.
1:29.4	Autumnolve is one of roughly 70 plants in the Elangus Elangnus genus, there we go, only one of which is native to North America.
1:38.7	Our native one, the Silverberry, has continued to exist across much of the continent, but largely the Midwest, where it has historically been managed with fire.
1:48.0	Smaller but still full of sugary nectar, the native silverberry has little documentation of pollinator support, but seems to support generalist species, much like the autumn olive.
2:00.0	Silverberry shares many traits like the autumn olive.
2:06.2	Silverberry shares many traits with the automolive, including its massive clusters of red berries gobbled up by birds. How can these two trees so closely related and sharing such
2:11.5	similar traits demand such different management solutions simply because of their point of origin.
2:19.3	This is actually a trick question.
2:22.3	I say native, but it's not native to the East Coast.
	...

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