Concerns about Novel Ecosystems
This chapter focuses on two types of concerns about novel ecosystems. The first concern is connected with misapprehensions that arise, mostly from lack of information or misunderstanding of the implications of managing novel ecosystems. These concerns should not be ignored or underestimated because they can easily obstruct an informed and constructive discussion about novel ecosystems and their management. The first misapprehension is that accepting or acknowledging novel ecosystems implies that managers will surrender any attempt to control invasive species. The second misapprehension addressed here is that acceptance of novel ecosystems will result in the replacement of traditional conservation and restoration practice. The second type of concern includes more persistent concerns about novel ecosystems. These are much more difficult concerns to work through because they require revisiting and possibly altering systemic patterns of social tradition and moral beliefs that pertain to nature and its conservation.