Worrying denial of invasive species threat

A new battlefront is opening in science denialism and this time the target is the science of invasive alien species and the fight to protect some of the world's rarest species and most unique ecosystems, say a team involving UCL scientists. In the science journal Trends in Ecology and Evolution , conservation biologists Dr James Russell (University of Auckland) and Professor Tim Blackburn (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment) say scientific evidence on invasion biology is under attack, with much of the opposition value-based rather than science-based. Their research showed a rejection of established scientific fact along with an attempt to re-frame, downplay or even deny the role of invasive alien species in global environmental change. 'Currently there is a lot of talk about living in a post-truth world, and, as scientists, we don't want to appear precious or to overreact. But we do see a manufacturing of scientific controversy on an issue where, in fact, no controversy exists,' Dr Russell said. 'Instead, there is and has long been a consensus between the world's leading ecologists on harmful effects of invasive species and this is not in dispute - at least not among the vast majority of scientists.' The team cites recent articles in high-profile international news outlets such as the New York Times, New Scientist and The Economist questioning the science of invasive species management. But the questioning is also coming from other scientists, with a number of published academic papers and books taking aim at invasive species biologists and their work.