permaculture

[Rain Tenaqiya <raincascadia@yahoo.com>]

One class of ecosystems where there seems to be a lot of evidence of 
invasives doing damage in "pristine" areas is in streams.  These ecosystems 
are continually "self-disturbed" and are therefore open to colonization by 
exotic species.  I've seen Cape ivy completely cover the ground and shrub 
layers of streams that have been pretty much left alone by people, for 
example.  The southwest is full of streams that are very remote, yet the 
native fish have been pushed out by exotic fish or frogs.  The idea that 
people are the only disturbers of ecosystems sets us outside of Nature.  
Change is the only constant and as Mollison says, "Everything gardens."  The 
topic of invasives needs a permaculture design.  What are the functions?  
What are the yields?  What are the connections between the elements?  
Invasive species are just species, neither good or bad.  It is the context 
that counts.
 
Rain

                
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