[MAIPC] Invasive plant nomenclature

Wed Nov 23 06:33:48 PST 2022

Rowena,
Thanks for the thoughtful contribution. Effectively communicating the importance of biogeography to ecological conservation is challenging. Reaching for analogous terms and concepts between non-native species and human societies has too often resulted in offensive language, gross misunderstandings of biology, and unfair mischaracterization of the motivations of natural resource professionals and volunteers.

While there may be no simple or single solution, paying attention to the language and analogies we use is important.

It can also be of great help to clearly communicate management objectives in terms of positive goals (wildlife-friendly habitat, pollinator gardens, connectivity, diversity of co-adapted species, etc.) and away from language that focuses on the negative hurdles in the way of these goals (e.g. invasive species, fragmentation, etc.). In this way the biogeography of species becomes a smaller and more contextualized part of our efforts. Managing certain native species may be just as important to some goals (e.g. my garden beds would be all Physostegia virginiana if I didn’t manage it), and non-native species can be a valuable part of some ecological systems (e.g. vegetable gardens, farms, etc.). Having clearly stated positive goals makes it easier to avoid some of the problems brought up in this thread.

If we spend more time promoting healthy, connected, co-adapted systems, whether it’s a large natural area or our front yard, we can end up being more clear about our goals and less likely to use insensitive or inappropriate language.

Thanks again to all who continue to take time in the communication and practice of maintaining and restoring these natural systems.

Norris

Norris Z. Muth, Ph.D. (he/him)
Juniata College
Zoom meeting<https://juniata.zoom.us/my/muthlab>
muthlab.org<http://muthlab.org/>

From: Rowena Zimmermann<mailto:rowena at blueridgeprism.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2022 11:47 PM
To: maipc at lists.maipc.org<mailto:maipc at lists.maipc.org>
Subject: Re: [MAIPC] Invasive plant nomenclature

CAUTION: External Email

Hi Patricia and Norris,

This has been an issue we are very aware of at Blue Ridge PRISM and last year we made the decision to use the term "Asiatic Bittersweet" rather than "Oriental Bittersweet." However, at this time we continue to use terms like Japanese stiltgrass, Norway maple, and English ivy as they seem to be more indicative of the origin of the species rather than any derogatory intent.  As an Asian woman, I've encountered language out there that makes me uncomfortable (e.g. articles that refer to some invasive plants as "Asian intruders" or "alien invaders") because the terms, although not intended in this aspect, have been used against Asian (and other immigrant) people in the past and continue to be used that way.  So, it is more than just plant nomenclature but also how we talk about invasive plants in general that make up the bigger picture on how we as a whole can be more mindful and respectful of how we use our words in this field.

I'm grateful to be part of the conversation.

All the best,
Rowena Zimmermann

--
Rowena Zimmermann
Director of Communications & Outreach
Blue Ridge PRISM
rowena at blueridgeprism.org<mailto:rowena at blueridgeprism.org>

Blue Ridge PRISM<https://blueridgeprism.org/> is a partnership for regional invasive species management in Virginia.

On Tue, Nov 22, 2022 at 6:09 PM <maipc-request at lists.maipc.org<mailto:maipc-request at lists.maipc.org>> wrote:

Today's Topics:

   1. Re: Nomenclature (Muth, Norris (MUTH))

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Message: 1
Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2022 23:07:53 +0000
From: "Muth, Norris (MUTH)" <MUTH at juniata.edu<mailto:MUTH at juniata.edu>>
To: "MAIPC at Lists.maipc.org<mailto:MAIPC at Lists.maipc.org>" <maipc at lists.maipc.org<mailto:maipc at lists.maipc.org>>
Subject: Re: [MAIPC] Nomenclature
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Patricia,
I?m a big fan of all the good work you?re doing. Thanks for brining up this important and interesting subject.

Lots of the words that figure into both common and scientific names are derogatory and/or offensive. In most of the cases below I have mixed feelings about searching for alternate common names (with the exception of bittersweet which I have seen some preferring the term Asiatic bittersweet). I know that in other contexts (e.g. COVID and flu, etc.) some people have tried (and sometimes succeeded) to turn the names of regions into something with negative connotations. In the recent case of the coronavirus outbreak some people chose specifically to use terminology that wasn?t common parlance to stoke these negative associations. Thankfully, I don?t see the parallel between that abhorrent behavior and the botanical examples below.

To me, the names Japanese stiltgrass and the like merely refer to locations that the species originate from (likely somewhat inaccurately ? but being accurate with biological names is a different problem). We can all agree that there?s nothing offensive about being from Japan, China, Norway, or anywhere. What would definitely be troubling is if people were pushing messages that these are anything other than purely descriptive when using these terms. I admit that could certainly be possible, but I haven?t yet seen that myself.

What I certainly want to avoid is using offensive terminology to describe plants (and anything else), and I think people are doing great work in places to address that (e.g. spongy moth). I also want to avoid (and I know very well that you aren?t suggesting this yourself ? but it could arise from renaming efforts) the idea that being from any of these countries is a bad thing.

I also want to avoid unnecessary confusion around invasive species listing and management, which could be an unfortunate byproduct of renaming species that are still for sale. If someone can buy Norway maple, I want to make sure I?m able to tell them what to avoid in the same easy-to-understand terms.

If there is more light to be shed on this discussion I would be grateful to hear them. Thanks again for bringing up this interesting and important issue.

Norris

?
Norris Z. Muth, Ph.D. (he/him)
Juniata College
Zoom meeting<https://juniata.zoom.us/my/muthlab>
muthlab.org<http://muthlab.org><http://muthlab.org/>

________________________________
From: MAIPC <maipc-bounces at lists.maipc.org<mailto:maipc-bounces at lists.maipc.org>> on behalf of Greenberg, Patricia <Patricia.Greenberg at fairfaxcounty.gov<mailto:Patricia.Greenberg at fairfaxcounty.gov>>
Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2022 10:15:58 AM
To: MAIPC at Lists.maipc.org<mailto:MAIPC at Lists.maipc.org> <maipc at lists.maipc.org<mailto:maipc at lists.maipc.org>>
Subject: [MAIPC] Nomenclature

CAUTION: External Email

Hi,

I?m continuing a conversation about the names of invasive species that feel insensitive to use. Recently, Virginia Master Naturalists held a webinar on this topic (which I haven?t watched yet).

What's in a Name? Thoughtful Nomenclature Makes a Difference
Presenter: Angela Gupta, University of Minnesota Extension
Recorded: 10 November 2022
Watch the video<https://video.vt.edu/media/VMN+CE+WebinarA+What%27s+In+a+NameF+Thoughtful+Nomenclature+Makes+a+Difference/1_r4imzpls> (Note: this version of the video has machine-generated captions. Caption editing is in progress, and the new version with edited captions will be posted here in approximately two weeks.)

I am planning to work with our botanist to find names for invasives that reference their location of origin, such as:

Oriental bittersweet

Japanese stiltgrass

Japanese/Chinese wisterias

Chinese Holly

Japanese Holly

And others

My question to you is if you or people you know have started these conversations and if so, what names are you using/changing?

Thank you,

Patricia Pearl Greenberg
Ecologist II

Invasive Management Area (IMA) Program Manager

Natural Resource Branch

Fairfax County Park Authority

Office: 703-324-8673

patricia.greenberg at fairfaxcounty.gov<mailto:patricia.greenberg at fairfaxcounty.gov><mailto:patricia.greenberg at fairfaxcounty.gov<mailto:patricia.greenberg at fairfaxcounty.gov>>

(She/Her/Hers)

ISA Certified Arborist, MA-6067A

ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified

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