I know that most ecologists and botanists would never agree that we can live without non-native species. The argument is for the continued preservation and restoration of diversity for the sake of strength in numbers and health of ecosystems. Introduction of many of the non-native species is usually not a problem. But when it is, it is (Chestnut blight, Reed Canary Grass, Eurasian Phragmites, Dutch Elm Disease and many more. If you take the long look at the overall picture, you are correct, adaptation and evolution will occur. Unfortunately, the issue lies in the rapidity and viralness of human kinds devastation. This is has led us into a great extinction period. And your right. This happens every so often on the planet and regeneration occurs. In the meantime, over the next ten thousand to 100,000 years, our offspring will live in a world that knows nothing about things as charismatic as the Panda or things as hidden as the nearly 20 orchids that live in my county of Wisconsin. If your advocating that Ecologist quit being so hard lined about the importance and role of native plants in the world, I personally think you are fighting the wrong fight and should recognize that ecological systems stay healthy through evolved diversification and the application of non natives to a system and removal of native species from a system often times leads to a faulty system where natural processes don't have the resilience and benefits they once did.
I am not advocating for a hard line on native plants. However, the recognition that diversity and health of the natural system is dependent on the diversity of that habitat, then you must realize that a habitats health is dependent on its own diversity. Given that, finding plants that play by the rules of the ecosystems that you live in, so that they don't become over bearing and inhospitable to others within there environment (Corn, Squash, Kale and so many others) vs planting plants that usurp whole ecosystems (Eurasian buckthorn, Reed Canary Grass, Siberian elm and the list goes on) would be a much better approach. I advocate for thinking hard about what species you are bringing on to your property. Generally things that don't spread. Multiflora rose is a good example. Yes this species can be used for vitamin C and can be a good hedgerow to keep in animals but is it really necessary when you could use the native hawthorn. Hopefully this is an example we can agree on but there are many more.
On our farm we are using natives as pasture plants on our intensive managed grazing operation. Many of these species developed with grazing regiments and have insanely large root systems and the seed can be sold for a good price. Those root systems help with the biodiversity of the soil and the retention of water. Beyond that we are able to have diverse forage for goats, sheep, horses and cows that holds most if not all of the nurtrients, gut biology and minerals that our animals need.
Look at what gabe brown is doing out west with his native pastures... Permaculture is our Jam but Ecological health is our Bread
