Eurasian Blackberry (_Rubus discolor_) is apparently not
from the Himalayas, but rather Armenia (or Romania or some
such place) according to recent genetic studies. At least that's
what the botantists who delight in correcting me say.

Non-native blackberries, like starlings aren't going to
be extirpated anytime soon and those worried about restorations
that involve blackberry removal shouldn't panic. Restorations,
properly mounted, are a good thing.

Down here in Clatsop County we were able to show that the
overall diversity in blackberry patches was much lower than
in native mixed-shrub habitats on the Neawanna. Only sparrows
seemed to show a positive relationship to blackberry patches
and weedy edges. And I can take you to a couple spots with
healthy native shrub mixes that easily out do monocultural
blackberry kacks for sparrows.

http://home.pacifier.com/~neawanna/observatory/reports/station_obmarkup02.pdf

There are two issues that relate to blackberry removal:
1. There is no single native species that can replace blackberry
as sparrow habitat. A mix is required and that mix will vary
by location. Here on the North Coast of Oregon the mix is
(and I'm going to forego the latin): Black Twinberry, Red Elder,
Salmonberry, Salal, Douglas Spirea and Crab Apple.
2. If you take out all the blackberry at once, you'll lose
your sparrows (at least for the duration when the plants are
establishing themselves). We recommend a stepwise approach,
leaving patches of blackberry while the native mix is
establishing itself.

--
Mike Patterson
Astoria, OR
celata at pacifier.com

And now for something completely different... Salamanders
http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/archives/002899.html