It’s still a risk. I think I’ve already brought this up, but it was thought that white mulberries couldn’t propogate here. Now they’re everywhere. It might not even happen in your lifetime, or where you can see it. The point is that it’s incredibly risky and I think you should avoid it.
I’m sure they do, but I’m not really in a position to answer. However, I would expect that research and controlled tests would be done first. Of course, lab results don’t necessarily correlate to what will happeb when rrleased into the wild, but at least steps were taken to mitigate the risk.
Have you looked into joining a local conservation group? Since you’re determined to put the work in, it would be better to put the effort in where the results and information can be put to wider use.
This normally only happens in environments with unusual conditions where only certain species are adapted to it. Examples would be salt marsh, where there is often a natural monoculture of salt marsh cordgrass, because no other plants can withstand the salty, waterlogged, mostly-organic soil. But on the fringes of the salt marsh, where those three parameters are less extreme, there is a variety of plant life. Another example would be sea rocket (a wild edible), which may be the only plant between the dunes and the ocean – again because no other plant can withstand the combination of extreme saltiness and sand that does not hold water.
In both of these cases, the monoculture is because of environmental conditions, not because of one species outcompeting the others; in fact, these plants do not survive outside these extreme conditions because they are less competitive; living in extreme environments is their way of escaping competition.
Why? Why was it ever thought Morus alba couldn’t propagate here? So unenthusiastic & unhopeful. I’m am very thankful for them being everywhere, I enjoy they’re flavors. Wish more delicious Crops went crazy like this too. Imagine Mayapples & Sassafrass growing as crazy.
I understand this risk but I still think it’s ultimately worth it. Not doing anything is also equally a bad risk.
Ah this makes a whole lot of sense, very specialized unique conditions. I wonder if it’s possible to find other species that can also thrive in those rare conditions to diversify the monoculture?
WOW! by sea rocket you mean Crambe spp. right? Well tht’s in the Brassiceae tribe & it’s theoretically cross compatible with all other genera in that tribe, probably will create some Chromosome doubling. I’d love to diversify Sea Rocket Genetics even in that monoculture setting. I know it’s possible & it’s a project I’m excited about!
Just think Sea Rocket with Yellow & White Flowers, Purple & Lime Green Leaves, Different levels of spicyness, Arugula Flavor, Cabbage Growth Forms. I can cross it with Brassica oleracea, Raphanus sativus, Eruca spp. and many more. Eventually creating a Super Huge Landrace with Chromosome Doublings so much, we reach 300-400 range in Chromosome numbers.
This could possibly create its own tribe as that’s how the Brassiceae Tribe Evolved, thru spontaneous Chromosome Doubling! That’s why everything is so relatively cross compatible.