ABSTRACT
What does the local advent of a new taxon signify? Many authors have postulated that major environmental changes can precipitate social stress and even civil collapse (e.g. Cullen et al, 2000; de Menocal, 2001; Haug et al, 2003; Zhang et al, 2005; Drysdale et al, 2006). Others warn against embracing environmental determinism (Hunt, 2006). We need not look far to realize that unpredictable, uncooperative environments adversely affect individuals and societies. Sociologists describe ‘defensive structuring’ characterized by increasingly strong group identity symbols (e.g. Siegel, 1970); social psychology’s ‘life course’ paradigm describes individual and group reactions to changes such as ‘loss of control over desired outcomes’ during ‘hard times’ (Elder, 1994). What about minor or incremental changes? Psychologists and sociologists have made little apparent attempt to examine reactions to the local advents of unfamiliar taxa (but conservation-related agencies and organizations occasionally query public opinion on the matter, to evaluate and enhance their influence; see e.g. Fitzgerald et al, 2007).
