We also need to change the way we think about nature. West and his colleagues believe that changing the way we act is not enough to solve complex environmental problems. Though researchers need to find effective ways to communicate their research, catchy concepts and narratives might simplify complex phenomena in ways that hamper further understanding. But it does not help us navigate the rapid biodiversity changes we are experiencing," they conclude. "The story of invasive alien species is powerful because it plays to pre-existing cultural fears, persistent yet out-dated ideas about nature, and a desire for order and control. "But it seems that the way the concept makes sense to people draws on the same persistent and simplistic way of framing complex change processes and on bounding the world in strict, static and inherent identities."ĭeveloping a more complex narrative The authors argue that the notion of invasive alien species does not help us understand how nature works, promotes aggressive ways of relating to our environment, and potentially siphons resources that in some cases may be better spent elsewhere. "This is not to say that 'invasive alien species' is a racist concept," says West. Research suggests that South African concerns about identity and belonging might also have played a part in why the concept of invasive aliens has become so well established. In defining the in-group one must draw boundaries that will ultimately create out-groups, and over the past decade waves of xenophobic violence against human migrants have spread across the country. In post-apartheid South Africa there is a strong desire to create a sense of shared national identity. However, parallels can also be drawn to discussions on human migration. In the age of The X-Files, Star Trek and Battlestar Galactica, who would not be prepared to fight an invasive alien? The X-Files factor The terminology used to describe "invasive alien species" helps to explain why the narrative has become so successful.
We also now know that natural systems are in fact characterized by change and complexity rather than balance and harmony." In South Africa the baseline for this ‘natural’ state is usually thought of as before the arrival of Dutch colonisers, but South African landscapes have included people for much longer than that. "The narrative relies upon the idea of a natural and balanced state of 'pristine' nature. However, the story of the Mediterranean Mussel as an "invading alien" is only one of many possible stories that might be told about the species, and the concept of invading aliens is not altogether that clear-cut, says Simon West. They also look at the treatment of alien species in law and policy and the public awareness campaign "AlienBuster – Seek and Destroy." As an example the authors describe the case of the Mediterranean Mussel that is thought to have arrived on South African shorelines sometime in the late 1970's and has since become widespread in its new habitat. Spotting the alien In their study, West and his colleagues look at how the "invasive alien species" narrative has taken hold in South Africa. The authors do not deny that some species may be undesirable in certain environments, but aim to highlight the importance of recognizing complexity and case specificity rather than placing all under the one label. In a recently published study in the Environmental Humanities journal, centre PhD student Simon West together with colleagues examine the flipside of this captivating narrative. The narrative of "invasive alien species" is a successful example, resulting in policies and community activities aimed at eradicating the 'invading aliens.'īut why is this story so successful, and what can be the potentially problematic consequences of this success? Therefore scientists need effective, catchy narratives to communicate their findings. Solving the issues we face will not gain support if politicians and the general public do not understand them.
It is often suggested that complex environmental problems need to be communicated in better, simpler ways.
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