Greetings All

The TNC propaganda is very interesting. First of all, this is a summary
piece, without original research. It does cite original research, and I certainly
did not have time to dig out each article. Comparing a relatively pristine area
with diverse species types to a uniform stand of Russian Olive is not an
honest assessment. First, one must ask, could native species really grow in the
areas that the Russian olives are now inhabiting? Many times, the answer is "No"
-- a native riparian ecosystem could not be re-established. Indeed, in many
places, the entire riparian circumstance is man created.

Also, from reading the TNC piece, you come off thinking the Russian Olive is
the Devil himself. I rarely trust such "articles." Areas dominated by willows
are "riparian" those dominated by Russian Olives are "infestations." Hmmmm.

Anytime you compare a monoculture to a diverse community, you are going to
find the diverse community has more species.

There are communities where Russian Olive are just part of the flora. Those
are the best spots for birds. The reason so many places are solid Russian Olive
is, I'd guess -- have no proof -- is that they are so disturbed in so many
other ways that not much else could survive. But here I venture into
speculation, and I shall retreat.

There is one other point. This isn't an either or. It is not a "all mixed
willow riparian habitat" vs "all Russian Olive" habitat. In reality, having both
is advantageous.

I once got into this absurd argument with a person of a certain profession
and political bent. This person argued that all non-urban areas should be small
patches of woods, ag land, hedgerows since this type of habitat harbored the
most species per acre. Virgin deep woodlands were species poor and we were best
off replacing them. I am not kidding. This person believed this and could not
be swayed.

We will never ever remove all the blackberries and russian olives. The
question is not what is best for wildlife "The earth before humans or now?" or even
"North America before Caucasians vs now?"

The real question is where do we spend our few $$$. Do we try to eradicate
plants with real wildlife value because they are non-native at great expense
from totally altered landscapes or do we let them be in certain places and put
our time and money into preserving what relatively pristine habitat we have,
plus restoring those areas that are relatively little altered? Sadly conservation
dollars and effort are not limitless.

A neighbor had just wiped out a blackberry patch because he had been told
they were "bad." In its place, Bermuda Grass. One must be careful with one's
pedagogy.

Anyway, I am bowing out of this. We could argue forever whether a willow is
better than a Russian Olive. Those who think the answer is uniform are deluding
themselves. Those who think that this is really the question are missing the
point.

Cheers
Steven Mlodinow
Everett WA