The Human Aspect of Invasive Alien Plants - Theme, Pufendorf IAS

As our world changes, so does the nature people relate to. Which plants we use and relate to has changed over time. We have cultivated and nurtured some of them whereas we have worked to clear away others. Invasive alien plants need to be managed in one way or another but there may be differences in opinion regarding what kind of management is best suited for a particular plant.

When not directly harmful to humans or their livestock, these invasive alien plants have become a part of everyday life. However, with increased ambitions to preserve native biodiversity, ongoing climate change, and a globalized world increasing the transport of plant material globally, an increased tension is built up in relation to which plants we want to nurture or eradicate. While nature conservation authorities aim to preserverare native plants, people today have dwindling relations with plants from our old agricultural landscape and its meadows and pastures and may instead be more tuned to current flora and fauna, which can result in value conflicts.

Theme at the Pufendorf Institute for Advanced Studies