The Rise of Invasive Species Denialism

James C Russell; Tim M Blackburn

doi:10.1016/j.tree.2016.10.012

The Rise of Invasive Species Denialism

Trends Ecol Evol. 2017 Jan;32(1):3-6. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2016.10.012. Epub 2016 Nov 22.

Authors

James C Russell¹, Tim M Blackburn²

Affiliations

¹ School of Biological Sciences and Department of Statistics, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution, and Environment, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK; Institute of Zoology, ZSL, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK.

PMID: 27887747
DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2016.10.012

Abstract

Scientific consensus on the negative impacts of invasive alien species (IAS) is increasingly being challenged. Whereas informed scepticism of impacts is important, science denialism is counterproductive. Such denialism arises when uncertainty on impacts is confounded by differences in values. Debates on impacts must take into account both the evidence presented and motivations.

Keywords: conservation; denialism; extinction; scientific communication.

MeSH terms

Introduced Species*
Uncertainty