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Combatting The Exotic Species Invasion: The Role Of Tort Liability, Daniel P. Larsen

Duke Environmental Law & Policy Forum

Introduction Present-day island and continental ecosystems began evolving millions of years before the human species appeared. These ecosystems became distinct as they developed in isolation from one another, due to natural barriers between them. Within the last 150 years, however, technology has enabled humanity to easily bridge continents and reach secluded islands. As a result, modern human vectors of transport are introducing exotic species 1 into ecosystems that have evolved autonomously for millions of years. Often, these non-native, immigrant species impact wildlife and ecosystem interactions so severely that they may be thought of as deadly "pollutants." Traditionally, environmental laws have …