Alien Species.vp - IUCN

Identity Our identity is who we perceive ourselves to be. It determines our overall purpose
(mission) and shapes our beliefs. Identity is the consolidation of entire systems of belief with
respect to one’s self.
Beliefs The beliefs we have determine why we do what we do, or do not do. They are our
motivation and permission (or lack thereof), based upon certain values and criteria that we
establish to support our sense of identity and spirituality. Beliefs enable or inhibit, and give
scope to our capabilities, including particular skills, strategies, plans, etc.
Capability Our capabilities define how we do what we do. They are the particular skills,
strategies, plans, etc. which guide and give direction to our behaviours. Through our
capabilities, we choose and change behaviours to meet a diversity of needs (determined at the
higher levels).
Behaviour Behaviours are what we do, the specific actions or reactions we employ in
relationship to our environment. Although all behaviours are motivated and directed in
response to the maps we construct at the higher Neuro-Logical Levels, they can be perceived
(by ourselves and others) to be without direction, misdirected, habitual, or “knee-jerk.”
Environment The environment is the context where and when we do things, the conditions
under which we behave a certain way. We select or modify our environment to support our
sense of spirit, identity, and values. Our environments are composites of specific external
stimuli and internal perception. The stimuli determine the opportunities or constraints we
perceive (consciously or subconsciously) we need to react to. We detect stimuli through our
sensory systems (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell) and evaluate our resultant perceptions on the
basis of Sub-Modalities, the qualities of experience (texture, brightness, loudness, sweetness,
etc.; Faulkner, 1999; O’Connor and Seymour, 1990)
In the context of IAS, consider an example of a gardener thinking about his/her hobby at
these levels:
Environment This spot in my garden seems bare and needs more colour.
Behaviour I am going to go to the garden centre and purchase a new plant that will be
interesting and attractive.
Capability I will be able to find a new plant that appeals to me and is hardy in this climatic
zone. I can afford a new plant and have time to add it to the garden this afternoon.
Belief I am sure that the garden centre will have lots of choices and I’ll know the perfect plant
when I see it.
Identity I am a very experienced and successful gardener.
Spirit Gardening helps me stay connected to the Earth and gives me a sense of inner peace.
As we move higher or deeper through the Neuro-Logical Levels, the experience becomes more
abstracted from the specifics of behaviour and sensory acuity. The experience also has a more
widespread effect on our mental maps and behaviour. While change at any level in the
hierarchy will have an impact on all of the other levels, the level at which the primary change is
made strongly influences the degree and direction of the secondary changes made at the other
levels. This is due, in part, to the fact that varying degrees of neurology are involved in the
change process; the higher the Neuro-Logical Level, the more complete the neurological
engagement and the more systemic the change (Dilts and Epstein, 1995; Dilts, 1990; O’Connor
and Seymour, 1990).
If you change your sense of identity, then your beliefs, capabilities, and behaviours will
adjust to support this change. You will choose or modify your environment accordingly.
Anyone who has gone from being single to married (or vice-versa) can attest to this. Likewise,
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Human dimensions of invasive alien species