Matt's Missives

For a long time I've thought that the current problem of invasives--scotch broom, blackberry, purple loose strife to name a few of the more obvious ones--is one that nature would settle itself (I owe this mode of thinking to a variety of influences, but most noticeably my friend and ecologist Adam Ford). Of course, it's difficult to convince a lot of people, particularly environmentalists, of the unknown benefits these plants may bring. Though they're quite destructive in the short term, eventually they'll reach some kind of equilibrium. That's kind of the nature of nature. Anyways, this ramble is all to say that I feel somewhat vindicated. Permaculture expert (and co-creator) David Holmgren has this to say about invasive species in Australia (re: the burgeoning Landcare movement):

Implicit in permaculture strategy is the acceptance that nature is an active designer herself and that it will be the co-evolutionary development of wild systems which may be the real keys to sustainability. Wild nature is evolving new ecosystems from a mix of self reproducing species at an ever increasing speed. This "ecosynthesis" is natures self organising response to the disturbances since European settlement and follows patterns described by systems ecology.

In some areas especially along streams the ecosynthesis process is advanced to the point where forests of mixed native and exotic species are beginning to show systemic characteristics. Study of these advanced examples of ecosysnthesis is conspicuous by its absence apart from a few informal permaculture inspired projects.

For more this interview, information on permaculture and Holmgren's forthcoming book, Permaculture Principles, visit:
http://www.holmgren.com.au/