Where Do Camels Belong?: Why Invasive Species Aren't All Bad

Dr. Thomspon’s book brings together many valuable observations and studies from scientific literature concerning the spread and management of invasive species. I recommend the book to anyone given the task of trying to manage invasive species in a landscape. I have been fighting invasive species for over fifteen years on public land in the United States. Many of the arguments in the book were unsettling but rang true to me.However, I would like to offer criticisms to two specific parts of the book.On pages 74 to 79, Dr. Thompson talks about the redeeming features of zebra mussel, and refutes some of the claims of harm caused by zebra mussel. The section does not mention the thousands of birds that have died in the Great Lakes area from avian botulism. The filter feeding of zebra and quagga mussels concentrates botulism toxin. Fish eat the mussels, passing the toxin up the food chain to loons, mergansers, gulls, and other fish-eating birds. The increased water clarity caused by zebra and quagga mussels has also favored the growth of thick algal mats; the decay of these mats produces the anaerobic conditions favored by the botulism bacteria.In Chapter 11 Dr. Thompson presents five myths about invasions. His myth #1 is “Alien invasions reduce biodiversity and ecosystem function.” His arguments concerning biodiversity are very weak. On page 190 he writes, “In other words, those interested in the effects of alien plants choose to look at plants that are capable of achieving high abundance (and almost certainly high biomass), of dominating the plant communities they invade and, ipso facto, of causing big reductions in local diversity. There’s nothing surprising about this, it’s just the way science funding works.” The author acknowledges that invasive species do reduce biodiversity but claims that scientists unfairly cherry-picked the worst alien species to make their argument. But all ecologists and land managers readily acknowledge that most alien species do not cause harm. Dr. Thompson conveniently conflates the words invasive and alien to make his point. Although most alien species do not cause ecological harm, some of them do invade natural areas and become abundant. We distinguish those as invasive species. Daniel Simberloff and 140 other scientists made this point in 2011 (Nature Volume 475), responding to an earlier article co-authored by Dr. Thompson, who offers a weak rebuttal on page 216.This book has been published under two different titles. “Where Do Camels Belong?: The story and science of invasive species” was published by Profile Books in 2014 in England. “Where Do Camels Belong?: Why Invasive Species Aren’t All Bad” was published by Greystone Books in 2014 in Canada.

Provocative, amusing read, and a debate worth having. A bit over the top in places but provides a useful and compelling critique of the sometimes overly expensive, even wasteful or damaging, efforts at invasive species removal and eradication. Ardent environmentalist here but I think the limited (sadly) funds and time and effort available for protecting and helping the environment might often be more usefully directed.

This book is good reading for anyone who cares about the environment. It describes how plants and animals have always moved and adapted from the beginning of time as continents shifted and climates changed. Peer reviewed scientific studies demonstrate that not all invasive species are harmful. Some species are harmful, and some are not. Labeling all "invasive" species as harmful is inaccurate, at best, and and leads to poor policy decisions, at worst.

Gave me a view of 'invasive' and 'native' in light of global trade and inter-glacial migration of plants and animals. Also, re-consider the $billions wasted on unsuccessful campaigns against 'invasives', which are controlled by natural forces within a few decades of their introduction--usually by man. How can anyone who accepts Darwin be against a plant which survives in a new habitat ?

This should be required reading for anyone working with invasive species. It will not be liked by many so-called invasion biologists, but it is full of common sense and undeniable truths.

Interesting discussion that presents another view of invasive species.

Ken Thompson belongs in the category of superbly graceful writers of English. His thinking is going to challenge you. If you are concerned about our planet you really ought to read this book. Every now and then you realize you are reading the words of a highly trained botanist, an ecologist who is also a down-home enthusiastic gardener. George Monbiot wrote a cover blurb and these two men might be friends for all I know.They are both of the same ilk. We are fortunate to have such minds helping us cope with our ever-changing world.

For those who are horrified by lakes being poisoned, groves being clearcut, and animals being slaughtered in the name of environmentalism, this is a timely and very well-written challenge to the doctrine of Invasion Biology which lies at the heart of it all, a doctrine whose adherents start with the premise of how they WANT the world to be, then make an illogical leap to the belief that because they want it to be a certain way, this is how the word MUST be, and thus conclude that this is in fact how the world IS, all the while conveniently ignoring the evidence when it refuses to live up to their decidedly unscientific (and more pedestrian) pretensions.