08-18-2006, 06:30 PM
My point of view comes from considering what makes Hawaii Hawaii. In this special island biogeography, there are lots of very unique plant, animal and insect life. Many of these have long since disappeared for various reasons. As we continue to move in and establish ourselves, it seems that it would be nice to preserve that which made this such a nice place to be.
If we just accept the fact that so much of the native rainforest has been scraped away and something from somewhere else planted in their place is the way that it should be, then that unique Hawaii will no longer exist.
But we can also try to replace that which evolved here and grew on our lots before they were scraped clean or before the invasive, introduced species dominated. In many areas, you don't have to plant anything, there is a seed bank in the soils waiting to repopulate with native plants. If you did a bit of study or took a native plant workshop, you'd see that there is a wealth of really interesting endemic and native plants that evolved here. There are many native plants with very thrilling facets to keep us all enthralled.
Yes, I'm fully aware of the argument that says that everything, plants, insects, animals (including humans), travel about and establish in new places. And that this is natural. That's fine on a large continent, there's much more leeway for this kind of introduction. But in an insular habitat, that means that many of the native species go extinct. I, for one, am very saddened by that consequence.
Buzz, yep, the Permacopia considers all podocarpus species weeds. There is an argument for growing non-natives as bonsai because these plants are confined and usually don't spread. You asked if I thought it would make a difference to plant native species and refrain from planting invasives: it could if people at least considered it, but so few do. And native plants provide lots of greenery. Think about it, they evolved here and have "learned" how to grow here. They provide needed resources for the native animals and insects, many of which are not provided by the introduced species.
Anyway, I'm not trying to force anyone to do what I think makes sense. I see that the situation is similar to why tobacco companies can market cigarettes to adults, because adults can make their own decisions about what's good for them. Most of the people who move here are adults, they can come to their own conclusions.
Les
Edited by - Les C on 08/19/2006 07:16:58
If we just accept the fact that so much of the native rainforest has been scraped away and something from somewhere else planted in their place is the way that it should be, then that unique Hawaii will no longer exist.
But we can also try to replace that which evolved here and grew on our lots before they were scraped clean or before the invasive, introduced species dominated. In many areas, you don't have to plant anything, there is a seed bank in the soils waiting to repopulate with native plants. If you did a bit of study or took a native plant workshop, you'd see that there is a wealth of really interesting endemic and native plants that evolved here. There are many native plants with very thrilling facets to keep us all enthralled.
Yes, I'm fully aware of the argument that says that everything, plants, insects, animals (including humans), travel about and establish in new places. And that this is natural. That's fine on a large continent, there's much more leeway for this kind of introduction. But in an insular habitat, that means that many of the native species go extinct. I, for one, am very saddened by that consequence.
Buzz, yep, the Permacopia considers all podocarpus species weeds. There is an argument for growing non-natives as bonsai because these plants are confined and usually don't spread. You asked if I thought it would make a difference to plant native species and refrain from planting invasives: it could if people at least considered it, but so few do. And native plants provide lots of greenery. Think about it, they evolved here and have "learned" how to grow here. They provide needed resources for the native animals and insects, many of which are not provided by the introduced species.
Anyway, I'm not trying to force anyone to do what I think makes sense. I see that the situation is similar to why tobacco companies can market cigarettes to adults, because adults can make their own decisions about what's good for them. Most of the people who move here are adults, they can come to their own conclusions.
Les
Edited by - Les C on 08/19/2006 07:16:58