Sabtu, 31 Maret 2012

Alien Species : Fitting In


The article concerns more on the topic most people does not take a closer look at, namely the alien species. It makes the article quite interesting since it tells what is happening towards the alien species and the controversy among scientists about its existence. The author attemps to follow up on what exactly most people consider about the alien species and how the stereotype affects what most people prefer to do towards the alien species. Thus in the end, the article is comprehensibly able to open up our eyes towards this kind of living thing in a good way, and in a scientific way as well.
As what I have revealed above, the article mainly talks about what goverment, private groups even individuals consider about the alien species. The alien species itself are generally defined as “bad” species. The term “bad” in this case means something dangerous and inappropriate to ecosystems. This belief truly leads those people to gradually eradicate them on the earth and on the other hand these actions, without question, amount to a threat to the alien species’ existence nowadays. However, conversely, many scientists seem doubtful towards the stereotype. They are questioning the assumption said that the existence of the  alien species are not acceptable in a natural ecosystem. Moreover, some scientists even reveal that its existence does not cause problem in the habitat they are living. Neither its existence nor its toxicity cause the environmental problems, according to what scientists believe. It is just the matter of how government ought to control their number, not the the matter of how to eradicate them all. Even though, when the number of the alien species is getting bigger and start to disturb the ecosystem, Derr does suggest that strong steps should be taken.
Objectively speaking, what Derr attemps to reveal through his writing is that the stereotype among people sometimes leads to wrong decision. Derr, through his writing, prioritize the debate and stance of both people’s point of view and scientific analysis. Derr seemingly understands that the best way to justify the stereotype is by giving deeper scientific analysis and its supported evidence. It can be seen through one analytical example of the eradication of non-native water buffalo in Australia from Dr. Rosenzweig in his writing. In fact, it is said that the eradication of non-native water buffalo causes the explosive growth of a little-noticed plant in return, which is more destructive than the non-native water buffalo itself. Through this analytical example, Derr attemps to indirectly reveal that banishing the alien species is not the best way to deal with. In pursuit of the conclusion, Derr then comes to what Dr. Rosenzweig stated, “Ecologist should focus on managing the environments that include exotic immigrants,” Therefore, what exactly Derr want to conclude is that those problems has been caused by alien species is not simply because its existence, yet it is more to the matter of the method we need to hold to control its number. Even if most of environmental problems are caused by the alien species, yet as what most scientists believe, any other species which is not belong to the alien species also could cause the same problem.
Objectively speaking, the article is quite comprehensive in looking inside the problem. Derr is able to pose both people’s thought and scientific analysis. Both stances strengthen and emphasize the theme Derr take a closer look at, which is the debate on the existence of alien species. It, by then, helps the reader to rationally analyse the problem completely and comprehensively. This style of writing is really good to let the reader to think and decide by their own self which side is better way in pursuit of the solution of the problem. In respect of the article, the reviewer tend to believe in what scientists said, that the centres of gravity of this problem is around the method of controlling the number of alien species, not the existence of alien species. What the goverment ought to do is all about the maintenance of the ecosystem itself since the eradication of the alien species does not produce any solution to the environment, even the risk will get higher if the eradication of the alien species is still continued.

Reviewed by :
Duwi Riyadi Putra
International Realtions
Universitas Indonesia

Source : The article (Alien Species) is written by Mark Derr




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