Authors
Christopher Brian Anderson, Jose Cristobal Pizarro Pinochet
Publication date
2023
Publisher
Sociedad Argentina para el Estudio de Mamiferos
Description
The ways we conceive biodiversity and nature determine how we investigate and manage it. In the case of introduced invasive species, they have mostly been viewed with an ecological lens, even those with clear ecological and social impacts, such as the North American beaver (Castor canadensis) in Tierra del Fuego. We use this case to consider how re-conceiving biological invasions as socio-ecological phenomenon, with multiple human and natural drivers and outcomes, can improve holistic and predictive capabilities of integrated research and management. Specifically, we approach the issue by evaluating how scientific paradigms in ecology have incorporated humans into ecosystems (or not), subsequently applying these perspectives to the conceptualization, study and management of C. canadensis in southern Patagonia. We found that most research and management efforts concerning the invasive beaver has been from a perspective that either ignores the human dimension or conceives of humans (and beavers) as agents of ecosystem disturbance. Recently, the multi-faceted roles of humans have been recognized more explicitly. However, social research has been catalyzed largely by a binational political agreement between Argentina and Chile to eradicate beavers and restore “natural” ecosystems, which still conceives of humans as separate from, or disturbers of, nature. Therefore, even though emerging perspectives of beaver research and management increasingly include a human dimension, our evaluation of this case study still finds significant limitations to fully integrated research and applications due to an …