Effective Strategies for Managing Invasive Species in Florida

1 Invasive Species Management By: Nathanial Palmer EVSP508

2 Introduction Invasive species are at the forefront of every environmental discussion especially when the topic at hand is how to manage their existence. In Florida invasive species are a terrible nuisance and if not managed well can cause immense harm to everything in their path. As scientists and other professionals collaborate on this constant issue, we look at why they need to be managed for aesthetic reasons, religious reasons, duty ethic and adopting the ecocentrism mindset. Worldviews in Environmental Ethics These four different worldviews all coincide together for the needs of managing invasive species within Florida. Each in their own right having equal importance in the ethical management of invasive species. Invasive species can do a number on vegetation, landscape and loss of Florida species if left unchecked. Aesthetics in terms of environmental ethics is fairly new to the realm of philosophical aesthetics, and at first was the appreciation of the natural environment. Over time this idea has evolved into not only the natural environment but man- made influenced ones. (CARLSON, 2018) A big contributor to this view is Wild Hogs, Lion Fish, Burmese Pythons, Iguanas and Brazilian Pepper. All of these invasive species both plant and animal cause massive damage to the Florida ecosystem by either eating local species or tear up the natural aesthetic environment. (Conservancy, 2022) As scientists and living side by side with nature it is our duty to manage these species so that local species are not being impacted. Duty ethic is the view that the morality of our duties leans heavily on the direct impacts of humans. This ideal is more linked to an anthropocentrism mindset but when working in the environment

3 there needs to be that outlook for our needs. Most people who lean heavily toward that ideal often are followed by a religious worldview through Christianity that we as humans have dominion over all living things therefore have the right to do what ever we want even if the species are invasive or not invasive. (Stewart-Kroeker, 2022) A large number of anthropocentrism idealist believe the way they do because a large number of those people are Christians. The Christian outlook is not so black and white as stated before when it comes to this ideology, but if you read the Bible, you can see that yes God gives us dominion over the living things but it is not a dictatorship or overlord mentality. The ideal that fits more with that mindset is that of Ecocentrism, this deep ecology way of thinking says that all living things have value in their own right. With any subject in environmental ethics or the management of invasive species the most important thing we can do is instill sustainability. (Humaida, 2020) Ecocentrism incorporates just that, having balance between all avenues managing the invasive species, keeping our needs met and providing a natural environment for all of the local species. Comparison of Worldviews All of the worldview points discussed play an important role with one another for the process of managing invasive species. Upholding the balance that is sought after and ensuring that the Florida natural ecosystem stay pristine and beautiful. They all play an important role throughout the process of removing invasive species and giving the reasoning on why it needs to be done. To get a better understanding of how they all coincide together refer to Table 1.

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4 Comparison Point 1 The history of these points all started within the realm of mans history growing and evolving into what it is today. Starting from the beginning of time and the Old Testament when God tells us in Genesis 1:26-28 that we are to exercise stewardship over all of the earth to the 1970s where Arne Naess is hiking through mountain ranges making sure not to harm the vegetation, humans have taken guidelines and factored them into our own ideas of how to manage our environment. (Helen Kopnina, 2017) Each worldview is a branch off each other throughout history all culminating to this one single point of the end all ideal that balance is the key to the management of all species. Upholding the beauty of our natural ecosystem by removing invasive species truly being the managers we as humans were meant to be that the book of Genesis describes us as. (E. Calvin Beisner, 2024) Comparison Point 2 The ultimate connection between all of the worldviews is given life at duty ethic as humans we are morally liable for the wellbeing of our environment and its health. (UNT, 2024) So, when invasive species threaten that health by utterly destroying everything in their path it is up to us to eradicate that infiltration but in an ethical manner, providing that balance through the Christian mindset that all life is ours to manage and keep safe invasive or not. To stay on the path of sustainability it eventually will lead us to killing or uprooting certain invasive species for the

5 good of the ecosystem. As well as keeping the aesthetic beauty of our natural resources within an ethical manner. (von Negenborn, 2022) Comparison Point 3 The big question that everyone seeks to find is what has value, does an invasive species potentially have some value other than taking over a specific ecosystem or species? A prime example of this is the invasive macroalgae known as Sargassum a brown seaweed found in the ocean that grows rapidly here in Florida and overtakes everything. (Rountree, 2024) It is not new news that seagrasses in Florida are scarce and are highly protected but if this invasive seagrass could be managed at an ethical level, we could offer a new food source to endangered animals like the manatee and sea turtles. Where this food source could have an intrinsic value for the natural entities within the Florida Ecosystem. (Callicott, 1985) This is a direct connection with deep ecology and ecocentrism that all living things have value in their own right, even an invasive species. Now not all invasive species have a direct positive outlook like the Burmese Python who is single handedly destroying the alligator population in the everglades. Comparison Point 4 Invasive species do a lot of damage and have to be managed well, but can be difficult because of the rapid breeding rates of these species. Like the Lion Fish fisherman can catch them all day long and kill thousands but it merely scratches the surface of how big of an issue these

6 species cause. By duty ethics we are bound by nature and law to provide assistance for our natural ecosystem against a very formidable pest. With the need to protect all life we must take life, Lion Fish can eat over one hundred fish a day and eat everything from small reef fish to crabs and shrimp. (Service, 2024) These invasive species if not hunted daily would have a huge impact on the entire Florida Ecosystem. Providing the balance needed to sustain that ecocentrism mindset as humans we have to kill these fish for the sake of our own local species. Conclusion Every single one of these worldviews can be directly linked to an invasive species management issue whether or not it is ethical or whether we save the local ecosystem it all comes to the point that it is our duty, our calling from a religious standpoint, our needs as humans, and to practice Environmental Sustainability. All life does have value in its own right but to provide balance the invasive species have to be taken out of the equation from spreading and taking over what is natural.

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7 Table 1 Comparison of Worldviews: History/ Who made it Connection to Ethics Value theory Invasive Species Management Duty Ethic 1970/ Environmentalists The Birth of Ethics The purpose We are obligated Religious Worldview (Christianity) Old Testament Bible/ God How to Manage All life has value Protect all life Aesthetics 18 th Century/ 3 rd Earl of Shaftesbury Provides the Balance Gives a different perspective Keep the natural beauty Ecocentrism 1973/ Arne Naess Pathway to Sustainability Direct example of Deep Ecology Sustaining balance

8 Bibliography Callicott, J. B. (1985). Intrinsic value, quantum theory, and environmental ethics . Retrieved from Phil Papers : https://philpapers.org/rec/CALIVQ CARLSON, A. (2018). Environmental Aesthetics, Ethics, and Ecoaesthetics. The Journal of aesthetics and art criticism , 399-410. Conservancy, T. N. (2022, September 30). Slowing the Spread of Invasive Species . Retrieved from The Nature Conservancy: https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/ florida/stories-in-florida/combating-invasive-species-in-florida/#:~:text=Non-native%20forest %20pests%20threaten%20Florida%E2%80%99s%20natural%20lands%2C%20orchards %2C,serious%20damage%20wh E. Calvin Beisner, A. P. (2024). A Biblical Perspective on Environmental Stewardship . Retrieved from Acton University: https://www.acton.org/public-policy/environmental-stewardship/theology-e/biblical- perspective-environmental-stewardship Helen Kopnina, H. W. (2017). Why ecocentrism is the key pathway to sustainability . Retrieved from Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/315580893_Why_ecocentrism_is_the_key_pathway_ to_sustainability Humaida, N. (2020). The importance of ecocentrism to the level of environmental awareness for sustainable natural resources. IOP conference series. Earth and environmental science , 12131. Rountree, B. (2024). Sargassum seaweed seen on South Florida beaches . Retrieved from Florida Rambler: https://www.floridarambler.com/beaches/sargassum-seaweed-florida-beaches/ #:~:text=Sargassum%20seaweed%20is%20not%20a%20new%20phenomena%2C%20but,in %20batches%2C%20depending%20on%20currents%20and%20wind%20direction. Service, N. O. (2024). What is a lionfish? Retrieved from NOS: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/lionfish-facts.html Stewart-Kroeker, S. (2022). Sacrifice in Environmental Ethics and Theology. The Journal of religion , 237- 261. UNT. (2024). The Field of Environmental Ethics . Retrieved from UNT: https://cep.unt.edu/environmental- ethics/field-environmental-ethics von Negenborn, C. (2022). A fuzzy ontology: on the relevance of ecocentrism in marine environmental ethics. WMU journal of maritime affairs , 59-71.

Invasive Species Management

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