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22.2.6 Human Dimensions
P. Genovesi
Biological invasions are a product of human action, and human dimensions
are thus critical for effectively addressing the threats posed by invasive alien
species (McNeely 2001). An analysis of the eradication programs so far
attempted – or, even more important, non-attempted – shows how public support
is essential for successful eradication projects, and how opposition to the
control methods – or, more generally, to removing an alien population – has
been the major factor obstructing the implementation of many eradication
projects. For example, the eradication of the Barbary sheep from the Canary
Islands or of the Tahr from New Zealand (Bomford and O’Brien 1995) and
South Africa have been strongly opposed by hunters and the general public,
who fought to maintain an important game or ornamental species. The eradication
of the American grey squirrel from Italy did not fail for technical reasons
but rather because of opposition from animal rights groups (Genovesi
and Bertolino 2001). On the other hand, one of the main reasons for the success
in eradicating C. taxifolia from California was the involvement of local
key stakeholders.
In planning eradications, particular attention should be given to the conflicts
which could arise in implementing the projects, and methods for managing
these conflicts should be identified and used. Social science has shown
us there can be different types of conflicts, including cognitive ones (cf. different
knowledge leads to different conclusions), values conflicts (e.g. different
importance given by different societal groups to the protection of biodiversity
with respect to animal welfare), conflicts caused by different perceptions of
the cost/benefits of the project and, last but not least, conflicts caused by a distrust
of the authorities involved in the program (Bath 1999; see also Chaps. 19
and 20).
Before attempting an eradication, detailed analysis of the human dimensions
involved in the presence and removal of the target species should be carried
out, and key beliefs of all potentially affected societal sectors should be
considered. If the results of these analyses show that there are gaps of information
which can cause an opposition to the program, then information campaigns
aimed at bridging these specific gaps should be launched. Also, when
presenting eradication campaigns, it is important to emphasize the recovery
scope of the programs, rather than simply focusing on the removal of an alien
species – the language used to communicate this should be carefully chosen
accordingly (Larson 2005).
All sectors directly affected by the target species should be involved in the
decision-making process of how to manage the problem, and this at the earliest
possible stage. For example, the cat eradication from Isla Isabel (Pacific
coast of Mexico) was made possible by the involvement of hundreds of fishermen,
also through a 2.5-year education program. The fishermen voluntarily
not only helped in removing the cats and in the post-eradication monitoring