Daniel Lewis, Dibner Senior Curator for the History of Science and Technology at the Huntington Library, explores the natural history of Hawaii's birds in his new book, *Belonging on an Island: Birds, Extinction, and Evolution in Hawai'i.* He delves into the complex concepts of indigenous and invasive species, as well as wildlife adaptation.
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In an interview with *Open Letters*, Lewis noted that millions of tourists visiting Hawaii are often unaware that many plants and animals they admire are non-native. Having grown up in Hawaii, he initially shared this lack of awareness. His research uncovered that many common fruits and flowers, such as mangoes and plumerias, were imported from other regions.
When asked to define an "invasive species," Lewis critiqued the term for its militaristic connotations. He explained that invasive species are those that have evolved in a different habitat and create sudden imbalance when they enter a new ecosystem.
Responding to the harmful effects of invasive species like the mongoose on native bird populations, he emphasized that ecological interactions are complex. While the mongoose has negatively impacted some species, its presence also creates new dynamics in the food chain, and nature tends to adapt.
Lewis acknowledged the challenges faced by fragile ecosystems such as Hawaii's, noting that many attempts to restore original conditions have historically resulted in further harm. He cited ecologist Aldo Leopold, advocating for a strategy of maximizing variation within ecosystems to enhance their resilience against new challenges.