Why some exotic species are deeply integrated into local cultures while others are reviled

Abstract

One key challenge for invasive species management is finding support from local communities. Without local support, management plans can be severely compromised. What makes people support or reject management of invasive species can be linked to their perception of the target invasive species. In other words, it can be harder to control invasive species that are assimilated into the local community. We identify five factors associated with how quickly invasive species can become culturally assimilated. These factors are arrival time, economic impact, aesthetic value, effect on human health, and origin of nonnative species and of human immigrants. We suggest that understanding how these factors contribute to the incorporation of nonnative species into local cultures is important in determining effective control measures. In this vein, publicly accessible educational programs explaining the problems that invasive species produce will be required to implement effective invasive species management.