CONSIDERING INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES AS A FOOD SOURCE: CURRENT MOTIVATIONS AND FUTURE IMPLICATIONS FOR CONTROLLING THROUGH CONSUMPTION

Abstract

ABSTRACT Invasive alien species (IAS) represent a largely untapped yet environmentally friendly, healthy, and often flavorful food source. Defined as organisms living in nonnative environments wherein they adversely impact their host ecosystems, IAS are inherently a condition of geography. Control through consumption, or harvesting IAS for the purpose of eating them, appears to be a viable option in both curbing the proliferation of many problem species and providing a source of fresh local food. Anecdotal evidence suggests interest in the practice is gaining popularity. Thus, the purpose of this exploratory study is to examine what motivates people to engage in grassroots control-through-consumption efforts. The findings revealed that people were motivated to pursue control-through-consumption activities by several factors, including flavors, versatilely, and the challenge of using invasive-based ingredients; level of commitment; environmental benefits; medicinal usage; and as an outlet for leisure. Overlapping benefits were particularly powerful in motivating participation.