Authors: Jamie K Reaser Laura A Meyerson Betsy Von Holle
Publish Date: 2007/11/03
Volume: 10, Issue: 7, Pages: 1085-1098
Abstract
Nonnative species that harm or have the potential to cause harm to the environment economy or human health are known as invasive species Propagule pressure may be the most important factor in establishment success of nonnative species of various taxa in a variety of ecosystems worldwide and strong evidence is emerging that propagule pressure determines both the scale of invasion extent and impact In a limited way the US government is applying a “propagule pressure approach” in a variety of prevention policy contexts aimed at minimizing the impact of harmful organisms However there are also readily apparent opportunities for enacting propagule pressurebased measures to fill current gaps in invasive species prevention and control at national state and local levels An explicit focus on propagule pressurebased policies could substantially increase the effectiveness of US efforts to prevent the introduction of invasive species through by intentional and unintentional introductionsAlthough the addition of a single straw could eventually push the camel’s back beyond its stability threshold numerous variables must be considered in order to determine how much is too much How old is the camel How big How’s its health Any history of back problems Is it stationary walking or running Is it carrying anything besides straw How long is each piece of straw What is its weight What parameters define how the straw can be distributed over the camel’s body And so onUnfortunately the environment economy and human health in the United States are not being granted as much respect and scientific know how as the camel Many government officials are failing to ask “How much is too much” let alone implement scientificallybased policies to keep the introduction of potentially invasive species below “backbreaking” thresholds
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