Inside Biodiversity How Detrimental Are Non-Native Species?
Oct 2, 2025
Marten Winter, an invasion biologist at iDiv and Leipzig University, is our guest. He dives into the complexities of non-native and invasive species, explaining why some, like raccoons in Europe, pose unique management challenges. The discussion touches on ethical dilemmas surrounding species control, especially in places like Australia. Marten also highlights the vulnerability of islands to invasions and emphasizes that not all non-natives are harmful. He urges awareness of our ecological footprint and practical steps to mitigate species spread.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
How A Thesis Sparked A Career
- Marten Winter began his research with a master's thesis on raccoons and non-native species by coincidence.
- That early project led him into a lab focused on invasion biology and shaped his career path.
The Difference Between Alien And Invasive
- 'Alien' simply means non-native, often human-introduced, while 'invasive' adds demonstrable negative impacts.
- Invasiveness requires establishment plus environmental or economic harm.
Human Role Shapes The Definition
- The strict scientific definition of alien species emphasizes human-driven introduction.
- Climate-driven range shifts blur the line and provoke ongoing terminology debates.