In a new manuscript published in ‘Progress in Environmental Geography‘, Fish Futures researchers Aisling Rayne, Marc Tadaki, Sarah Crowley, Alexis Farr, Leah Gibbs, Jane Kitson, Rata Pryor Rodgers and Nicholas Reo explore why people disagree about what to do with introduced species. Debates over whether species “belong” often mix facts with values, creating uneven discussions that overlook the many ways humans relate to these newcomers. Their paper offers a constructive way forward by identifying four key ways species are seen as belonging: nativeness, wildness, contributions, and right relations. They unpack the values and worldviews behind each category and highlight who typically benefits. Through case examples, they show how this framework can reveal the deeper meanings and impacts of new species, broaden decision-making beyond technical arguments, and open up new possibilities for conservation and wildlife management.
