Some nonnative plants have net beneficial effects to the ecosystems in the United States. What is a species not currently present in the US at significant numbers, that would actually benefit us?
I would suggest the best way is, you go with native species, why non native species if you are having thousands of native plants to introduce and better the climate
Dear Sehej Bindra,
what benefits do you mean in detail? Introducing a "new" non-native species into a natural ecosystem that is at equilibrium will rather disturb/damage/reduce its diversity and ecosystem services than create a benefit, see also the term "invasive species".
Thus, do not introduce a non-native species into the US or another continent/country! Any introduction needs to be assessed to evaluate potential risks and benefits...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasive_species_in_the_United_States
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-3-319-46709-2_6
Article Bioenergy and Invasive Plants: Quantifying and Mitigating Future Risks
Best regards
Nils
Thank you for your quick responses. I was wondering if there were any nonnative species that may have potential benefits to the economy. It is important to research this issue and allow controlled experimentation before execution, but is there a species in mind that may have beneficial attributes that would make the US economy better when grown naturally in the ecosystem, such as medicinal benefits, or opportunities for trade?
Dear Sehej Bindra,
now we talk about economic development. Why is your interest to transfer knowledge (i.e. potential use of medical herbs or species) and any potential economic benefit from one country to another one? Note this is an ethical issue - natural resources should be utilized at first in place, e.g. India, to generate local benefits. Thus, in case you may have a specific species in mind the best option should be to develop/strengthen/implement local production systems and value chains and/or enable access to an international market (...USAID, Melinda & Bill Gates, etc. may support such ideas). See also the SDGs (https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/) that promote Reducing Poverty (SDG 1), Inequalities (SDG 10) and Responsible Production and Consumption (SDG 12).
Best regards
Nils
That is true, and I never considered the ethical implications of this proposal. However, I wanted to address the fact that currently, it is illegal to take plants from foreign countries or other reproductive parts of the plant on a plane. I was wondering if lowering these restrictions, and allowing certain species to enter the US would indeed help the country. Thus the US will not be actively trying to obtain natural plants, but rather simply allowing immigrants to bring their own plants, as long as it is deemed to not be invasive.
Be careful! Nonnative species can expand beyond control and develop into a nuisance. The classical example is the rabbit in Australia. But also plants behave as invase exotes after introduction, for example Fallopia species. The convention on biological diversity pays attention to the adverse effects. Is there a local species with the same effect?
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