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The forest on the peninsula: impacts, uses and perceptions of a colonial legacy in Cyprus

Pescott, O.L. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0685-8046; Harris, S.E.; Peyton, J.M.; Onete, M.; Martinou, A.F.; Mountford, J.O.. 2018 The forest on the peninsula: impacts, uses and perceptions of a colonial legacy in Cyprus. In: Queiroz, Ana Isabel; Pooley, Simon, (eds.) Histories of bioinvasions in the Mediterranean. Cham, Springer, 195-217. (Environmental History, 8).

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Abstract/Summary

Throughout history the values and meanings attached to habitats and species in particular places have seen considerable change. Such shifts in perspective are of particular relevance to the biology of invasions, with human attention and values often determining both the initial movement of species around the world, and the decision that subsequent independent spread should be considered damaging to the environment. This chapter examines such a case for the Akrotiri peninsula, Cyprus, where a particular colonial story about the degraded state of the environment, and the need to combat malaria, led to the introduction of various Australian trees for sanitation and other purposes. Today, some of these non-native species are considered invasive, and are having impacts on valued wetland habitats on the peninsula. We use archival research to investigate the changes in policy towards these habitats and the non-native species that affect them, and field research to describe the ecological context. Our study illustrates the complex interactions between ideas, practical aims, and values that lie behind the planned and invaded habitats at Akrotiri.

Item Type: Publication - Book Section
Digital Object Identifier (DOI): https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74986-0_9
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas: UKCEH Fellows
Biodiversity (Science Area 2017-)
ISBN: 9783319749853
Additional Keywords: invasive non-native species, alien species, colonialism, Acacia saligna, Eucalyptus
NORA Subject Terms: Ecology and Environment
General > History of Science
General > Science Policy
Botany
Date made live: 22 May 2018 10:19 +0 (UTC)
URI: https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/519553

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