ABSTRACT
The main aim of this paper is to encourage all engaged in pest man agement, from producers to policy makers, to be more comprehensive and responsible in considering the consequences of choice of ecosystem design and patterns of management (including pest management), deci sion-making processes and specific actions (and inaction). Unfortu nately, these areas are commonly characterized by unexamined as sumptions, lack of critical thought, and associated narrow habitual (often defensive) patterns of thinking, deciding and acting (Hill, Vincent, and Chouinard, 1999). Consequently, in addition to the many negative con sequences of our dominant pest control practices, there are also numer ous opportunities for improving pest management. Failure to openly en gage in this type of reflection and associated transformative change at this time will certainly disadvantage future generations (Clements and Shrestha, 2004).
