"Invasion Biology"

Since the beginning of time, species have spread and contracted their ranges. A variety of factors including weather and climate influenced their spread and movement. Arguably, one of the most important modern factors is human influence.

"Invasion Biology"

Lessons From the Prairie

A Land-Management Legend Offers 50 Years of Soil-Nourishing Wisdom.   NOTE: this article originally appeared in the September edition of Acres magazine. It was written by Tracy Frisch.

"Invasion Biology"

How to Let Grow

“How do we “rewild” areas where the native species are now extinct? In England, they use “exotic” species as substitutes. This common sense would collide with so-called “invasive species biology” in most of the US. NOTE: this article was originally published to WSJ.com on September 27, 2019. It was

"Invasion Biology"

The War On Nature

Quoting the authors below, “In reality, the problem is not herbicide resistant weeds; it is the perception that they are an enemy that must be destroyed at all costs. Military imagery – especially words like “war” and “battle “- is very common in the literature on weed control. But there is

"Invasion Biology"

Scorched Portugal Turns to the Goat as a Low-Cost Firefighter

In nature, different animals eat different kinds of plants and there are specific species for every such “ecological niche”. Where native animals have gone missing, domestic goats can be used to replace animals that once ate brush and weeds, just as cattle replace herds of nomadic grazers like bison. Goats

Elk Removals Featured

Are Elk Native to Texas--Historical and Archaeological Evidence for the Natural Occurence of Elk in Texas

This paper began as an effort to persuade Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to cease its efforts to eradicate elk on the state lands which it manages in far-West Texas. Our assumption was that TPWD was acting out of a sincere misunderstanding of science, which could be corrected.

"Invasion Biology"

‘Earthworm Dilemma’ Has Climate Scientists Racing to Keep Up

Now we are adding earthworms to the list of invasive species.   After climate change, the most discussed environmental issue is the so-called invasive species crisis. Invasive species biology rests on the mistaken belief that the animals, plants and soil life found on our planet about 500 years ago represented a

"Invasion Biology"

Liquid Blood Is Extracted from 42,000-Year-Old Foal Found Frozen in Siberia

The intriguing possibility of resurrecting an extinct horse highlights difficult questions and contradictions of modern wildlife thinking.   Would a horse cloned from a species extinct for more than 10,000 years, be a “native” if returned to its original home? If the ancient horse species were “native”, would that mean

"Invasion Biology"

Saving the World with Fake Meat?

According to the author, the UN’s most recent conclusion on climate change is that we must all adopt “demand reduction” of meat if the human species wishes to survive. In short, everyone must learn how to live on less. In this context, plant-based fake meat, which food scientists have

"Invasion Biology"

6 Reasons Why The Practice of Silvopasture Will Help Save Modern Farming

Silvopasture (in Latin, silva means forest) is the practice of combining woodland (trees) and the grazing of domesticated animals in a mutually beneficial way. Specific silvopasture benefits are discussed below. NOTE: this article was originally published to GreenBiz.com on August 4, 2018, 2019. It was written by Steve Gabriel.

"Invasion Biology"

Montreal Turns to Coyote Hazing After 19 People Are Bitten

Beginning in the late 1800s, government-funded eradication programs eliminated most wolves in the United States. This policy was based on a complete failure to understand the importance of predators in natural systems. Many unintended consequences followed this misguided practice. It did great damage to wild animal populations, and their decline

"Invasion Biology"

Can Cows Help Mitigate Climate Change? Yes, They Can!

Livestock and other so-called “invasive exotic” animals can replace missing wild animals’ beneficial effects on plants when they are managed to copy natural grazing patterns. These and other innovations of restoration agriculture practices are discussed in the article below. NOTE: this article was originally published to Daily.Jstro.org on

"Invasion Biology"

Disease Threatening Deer Population Has Spread to 26 States

According to this article, Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) was first “discovered” in mule deer at a wildlife research facility in Colorado in 1967. Here is, as Paul Harvey used to say, “The rest of the story.”   The so-called “discovery” occurred in the Front Range experimental station in Fort Collins. Early

"Invasion Biology"

DNA Of Wolf Declared Extinct In Wild Lives On In Texas Pack

More on the ‘discovery’ of Red Wolves in Texas.   The real hero is “Wil E. Coyote” the indomitable little wolf of our Southwestern Deserts. Like his roadrunner cartoon adversary, Coyote has run circles around the ‘conservation’ scientists and their publicly funded, 100-year eradication campaign whose waste is exceeded only by

"Invasion Biology"

Do States Manage Wolves Better?

Decades of experience with wildlife and forestry management shows that state agencies generally produce better results than federal agencies. It’s not that the feds don’t know what needs to be done; it’s that they can’t do anything without getting sued. Because of the federal court system

"Invasion Biology"

Wyoming Game and Fish Prepares for CWD at Elk Feedgrounds

The well-intentioned state and federal government practice of feeding elk on public lands has led to overpopulation and over-concentration of these animals. The combination of too many elk in too little space has put elk at great danger for contracting Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Since CWD appeared 40-years ago in

"Invasion Biology"

“Wil E. Coyote” for the Evolutionary Win

More on the “discovery” of Red Wolves in Texas. The real hero is “Wil E. Coyote,” the indomitable little wolf of our Southwestern deserts. Taking a cue from “The Roadrunner,” his cartoon adversary, the coyote has run circles around the “conservation” scientists and their publicly funded, 100-year eradication campaign. The

"Invasion Biology"

Elk Country Chronicles - The Sounds of Elk Country Volume 10

Nothing is as peaceful as elk country. Rather than trying to eliminate all elk on Texas’ public lands under the scientifically-bogus belief that they are an “invasive, exotic” species that harms bighorn, pronghorn and mule deer, wildlife agencies, conservation organizations and universities should simply follow their own North American Wildlife

"Invasion Biology"

Rise of the Golden Jackal

The golden jackal is Europe’s coyote. Like coyotes in North America, golden jackals are spreading because: (1) Mother Nature abhors a vacuum, and (2) natural systems require predators. When looked at this way, the golden jackal’s spread into empty biological pockets created by the eradication of native predators

"Invasion Biology"

Will Mushrooms Be Magic for Threatened Bees?

Seventy years ago, Dr. William Albrecht, the “Father of Soil Fertility,” wrote, “It’s not the overpowering invader we must fear but the weakened condition of the victim.” Outbreaks of parasite-spread diseases must be treated if possible, but treating symptoms can’t be confused with treating causes.  While symptoms, both

"Invasion Biology"

One of Nature’s Smallest Flowering Plants Can Survive Inside of a Duck

Nature constantly introduces new plants into new places as this article on the spread of the lowly duckweed illustrates. Usually “alien exotic” plants don’t “invade” stable systems, but colonize damaged habitats where they previously couldn’t survive. We often look at this natural process backwards, seeing the result while

"Invasion Biology"

Q&A - The Rules that Govern Life on Earth - with Sean B Carroll

How resilient will nature be to climate change? Why are there no very large mammalian predators? Is there a place for controlled hunting of rhinos? Sean B Carroll answers questions from the audience following his talk, which can be seen by clicking here.

"Invasion Biology"

The Problem with Ice Age Overkill

Those on the left of the political spectrum are loathe to admit that the ancestors of Native Americans could have harmed the environment. While those on the right can’t acknowledge that our industrial methods—from manufacturing to agriculture—could be harming nature. Both sides should take a hard look

"Invasion Biology"

Pronghorn: Experts in Speed and Sight

Pronghorn are the fastest land animal in North America. They are found only in the grasslands. Pronghorn numbers are declining, yet at one time as many as 30-million existed interdependently with bison. For the same reasons they needed bison, pronghorn are compatible with cattle. Pronghorn: Experts in Speed and Sight

"Invasion Biology"

Black-Footed Ferrets

They’re cute and cuddly, but nearly went extinct. Follow scientists in South Dakota as they capture black-footed ferrets to help save them.  According to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, “Historically, the Black-footed Ferret occurred in the High Plains, Rolling Plains, and Trans-Pecos regions of North America. Black-footed Ferrets have

"Invasion Biology"

Coyotes Conquered North America. Now They’re Heading South.

Most landowners and wildlife managers think that killing coyotes is a good practice. They are mistaken – to put it mildly – that coyote ‘control’ is even possible. The more coyotes we kill, the faster coyotes breed. Biologists say we would need to kill 75% of all coyotes every year for 50-years