THE GALAPAGOS

HUMANS IN THE GALAPAGOS    A CASE OF ALIEN SPECIES  ENDANGERED

WAT CH THIS VIDEO  http://www.pbs.org/saf/1106/video/watchonline.htm

YAMILA  COLQUI

Can humans be alien species ?

Established ecosystems have developed their own natural balance and controls over time, and the plants and animals within those systems find this balance suitable for survival, or they have been able to adapt in order to survive within those conditions.  When non-native species from other ecosystems are introduced, they can upset that balance and bring harm to the established plants and animals, and the whole ecosystem.   Non-native species come from somewhere else and they are not natural to the ecosystem they have been introduced to.  They may be harmless and beneficial in their natural surroundings, but they can totally devastate different environments.  When alien species enter into an ecosystem, they can disrupt the natural balance, reduce biodiversity, degrade habitats, alter native genetic diversity, transmit exotic diseases to native species, and further jeopardize endangered plants and animals.  When there are no established natural controls, such as predators to keep the non-native harmful species in check, there can be a population explosion of the invasive non-native species causing an ecological catastrophe.

Not all non-native species are invasive and harmful.  But many can completely take over and entirely change whole established ecosystems.  These are the non-natives that invade an established environment; therefore, they are invasive.   Invasive species may be as harmless looking as green plants or a frog.  They don't have to be vicious looking to bring harm to an area.  They may even be beautiful to look at.  This could have a detrimental effect on native species if bees or other pollinators preferred the flowering displays of the invasive species over the native species.  Many humans want to design their own ecosystems to fit their needs.  They bring in ornamental flowering trees, non-native fish, specialty seeds, and unusual animals.  This can wreak havoc on the natural species and the established habitat.

Ornamental exotic plants, flowers and trees, or animals that are brought into an ecosystem may increase the diversity of species locally; but, then the introduced species can take over, crowd out or kill the native indigenous species, and in some cases cause extinctions of particular species of plants and animals.  This has happened in island ecosystems where alien species caused the total destruction of local species that existed nowhere else on the planet.  Therefore, the species became extinct and the biodiversity of our planet further reduced.

Tremendous damage can occur from an insect species that bores holes in trees, or weeds that take over, or zebra mussels that clog up water systems (i.e., Great Lakes).  There are many species that are not native to an area which can be very dangerous and cause harm and even death to humans (i.e., brown tree snake).  A non-native species could be something that brings disease to an area or to people through introduced bacteria or viruses (i.e., Ebola), or possibly a plant that would crossbreed with other plants and cause major changes to plant life.  When natural habitat or food supply is destroyed, by alien species or from other circumstances, animals have to leave to find shelter and food in an ecosystem which will sustain them.  Some native animals cannot leave.  Without proper habitat and food supplies, they die.

Many non-native species have been transported in the ballast water of ships and then are released into the waters in ports of call.  Many more non-native species arrive in the products  that are imported from other countries.  Inspecting shipments of goods is overwhelming our human resources, such as in Florida where they have approximately 12,000 shipments of animals per year and only 8 inspectors.  There has been an ever-increasing amount of international world trade in exotic species in exporting and importing of plants and animals (such as ornamental tropical fish, rainforest birds, exotic plants, and various species introduced for a purpose).  This lines the pockets of the traders, shippers and sellers of these goods with huge profits of millions of dollars.  But, who pays to manage and control the global transport of invasive species with regard to prevention of negative impacts?  What and where are the controls, rules and environmental regulations to protect ecosystems, habitats and species from alien invasive species?  Who pays for risk assessments prior to the importation of products and species?  Who compensates those who have been negatively affected or lost their livelihood because a harmful species hitchhiked a ride in a plane wheel, a cargo container, in agricultural products, or in ships' ballast water?  Those who originally gained the monetary benefits from the invasives pay virtually none of the costs for environmental protection, nor are they generally held accountable for the negative environmental impacts they cause.  The general public, future generations, and the planet's environment and biodiversity end up paying dearly from the negative impacts of the exploitation of species, the loss of biodiversity in both the country of origin and the importing country, and for the environmental damage that occurs.   Huge sums of money have to be expended to try and rectify the damage to species and ecosystems from the introduction of non-native species into the ecosystems.  Once massive damage is done, there are cases where it is impossible to bring the ecosystem back to its "natural" state.

Non-native species don't necessarily come from far away.  They may come from neighboring areas, but from different ecosystems.   If you have ever crossed a border between countries, you may have passed through an inspection point where inspectors ask if you are bringing any fruit, plants or animals into the country.  The reason for this is to keep non-native species out of their particular ecosystems.

"Super-highways for non-indigenous species" have occurred in such places as South Florida, where natural aquatic habitats have been drained or diverted and modified to accommodate for new development.  A network of man-made canals has allowed for the expansion of non-indigenous species that could result in altering established natural systems and cause significant economic harm.  The Everglades, which has suffered serious decline over the years, is already in a threatened state.  This once-vibrant and massive wetland ecosystem of many habitats, is now even further threatened by many fishes that have been introduced that are out-competing native species. 

Other occurrences of non-native species being introduced to an area have been from aquaculture escapes, aquarium releases, state government bio-control, planting fish for sport fishing, and individuals that bring in species for various reasons, accidentally or on purpose.

And there are other Alien Species - Humans!
Did you ever think of yourself as an Alien Species?  When we venture out into the wilderness to enjoy nature we are an invasive species.  As "eco-tourism" has expanded worldwide, many thousands of people yearly invade pristine areas and change the natural balance of nature.  Tourism has been thought to be a savior for financially poor, but biologically rich regions of the Earth.  Tourists spend money; in fact, millions of dollars are spent on "eco-tourism."  But, who are the major benefactors of all that money? - the tourism industry.  Many of the  companies associated with "eco-tourism" are located in countries far removed from the eco-regions they send vacationers to.    They are not impacted by the environmental changes which occur from the human alien species they ship off and fly off to the ecologically important hotspots of our planet.  

Along with tourists and related activities comes environmental destruction.   Tourism brings in ships and jets carrying supplies and people, and the carriers and supplies themselves bring in more alien species (i.e., non-native plants, animals and organisms) which threaten and devastate native habitat and species.  More people must also come to the tourist resort area to fill the jobs of the expanded tourism industry, such as in hotels, restaurants, and transportation fields.  As more and more people take up residence, there is more construction and more pollution.

The Galapagos is one very special place on our planet where they are striving to protect the biodiversity and ecosystems from the activities of humans.  60,000 people visit the Galapagos Islands each year.  The Galapagos is considered to be a laboratory of evolution - a living library of genetic information.  95% of the known species that ever existed on the Galapagos Islands are still alive today.  These creatures have had to come up with some major adaptations to solve problems in order to have survived as species for this long of a period of time.  How can this biological heritage be protected from 60,000 visitors a year?  60,000 alien species who want to see this remarkable place.  Strict rules have been set up as to where people and their animals can live.  Off-limit areas have been set aside, such as the National    Established ecosystems have developed their own natural balance and controls over time, and the plants and animals within those systems find this balance suitable for survival, or they have been able to adapt in order to survive within those conditions.  When non-native species from other ecosystems are introduced, they can upset that balance and bring harm to the established plants and animals, and the whole ecosystem.

Not all non-native species are invasive and harmful.  But many can completely take over and entirely change whole established ecosystems.  These are the non-natives that invade an established environment; therefore, they are invasive.   Invasive species may be as harmless looking as green plants or a frog.  They don't have to be vicious looking to bring harm to an area.  They may even be beautiful to look at.  This could have a detrimental effect on native species if bees or other pollinators preferred the flowering displays of the invasive species over the native species.  Many humans want to design their own ecosystems to fit their needs.  They bring in ornamental flowering trees, non-native fish, specialty seeds, and unusual animals.  This can wreak havoc on the natural species and the established habitat.

Ornamental exotic plants, flowers and trees, or animals that are brought into an ecosystem may increase the diversity of species locally; but, then the introduced species can take over, crowd out or kill the native indigenous species, and in some cases cause extinctions of particular species of plants and animals.  This has happened in island ecosystems where alien species caused the total destruction of local species that existed nowhere else on the planet.  Therefore, the species became extinct and the biodiversity of our planet further reduced.

Tremendous damage can occur from an insect species that bores holes in trees, or weeds that take over, or zebra mussels that clog up water systems (i.e., Great Lakes).  There are many species that are not native to an area which can be very dangerous and cause harm and even death to humans (i.e., brown tree snake).  A non-native species could be something that brings disease to an area or to people through introduced bacteria or viruses (i.e., Ebola), or possibly a plant that would crossbreed with other plants and cause major changes to plant life.  When natural habitat or food supply is destroyed, by alien species or from other circumstances, animals have to leave to find shelter and food in an ecosystem which will sustain them.  Some native animals cannot leave.  Without proper habitat and food supplies, they die.

Many non-native species have been transported in the ballast water of ships and then are released into the waters in ports of call.  Many more non-native species arrive in the products  that are imported from other countries.  Inspecting shipments of goods is overwhelming our human resources, such as in Florida where they have approximately 12,000 shipments of animals per year and only 8 inspectors.  There has been an ever-increasing amount of international world trade in exotic species in exporting and importing of plants and animals (such as ornamental tropical fish, rainforest birds, exotic plants, and various species introduced for a purpose).  This lines the pockets of the traders, shippers and sellers of these goods with huge profits of millions of dollars.  But, who pays to manage and control the global transport of invasive species with regard to prevention of negative impacts?  What and where are the controls, rules and environmental regulations to protect ecosystems, habitats and species from alien invasive species?  Who pays for risk assessments prior to the importation of products and species?  Who compensates those who have been negatively affected or lost their livelihood because a harmful species hitchhiked a ride in a plane wheel, a cargo container, in agricultural products, or in ships' ballast water?  Those who originally gained the monetary benefits from the invasives pay virtually none of the costs for environmental protection, nor are they generally held accountable for the negative environmental impacts they cause.  The general public, future generations, and the planet's environment and biodiversity end up paying dearly from the negative impacts of the exploitation of species, the loss of biodiversity in both the country of origin and the importing country, and for the environmental damage that occurs.   Huge sums of money have to be expended to try and rectify the damage to species and ecosystems from the introduction of non-native species into the ecosystems.  Once massive damage is done, there are cases where it is impossible to bring the ecosystem back to its "natural" state.

Non-native species don't necessarily come from far away.  They may come from neighboring areas, but from different ecosystems.   If you have ever crossed a border between countries, you may have passed through an inspection point where inspectors ask if you are bringing any fruit, plants or animals into the country.  The reason for this is to keep non-native species out of their particular ecosystems.

"Super-highways for non-indigenous species" have occurred in such places as South Florida, where natural aquatic habitats have been drained or diverted and modified to accommodate for new development.  A network of man-made canals has allowed for the expansion of non-indigenous species that could result in altering established natural systems and cause significant economic harm.  The Everglades, which has suffered serious decline over the years, is already in a threatened state.  This once-vibrant and massive wetland ecosystem of many habitats, is now even further threatened by many fishes that have been introduced that are out-competing native species. 

Other occurrences of non-native species being introduced to an area have been from aquaculture escapes, aquarium releases, state government bio-control, planting fish for sport fishing, and individuals that bring in species for various reasons, accidentally or on purpose.

And there are other Alien Species - Humans!
Did you ever think of yourself as an Alien Species?  When we venture out into the wilderness to enjoy nature we are an invasive species.  As "eco-tourism" has expanded worldwide, many thousands of people yearly invade pristine areas and change the natural balance of nature.  Tourism has been thought to be a savior for financially poor, but biologically rich regions of the Earth.  Tourists spend money; in fact, millions of dollars are spent on "eco-tourism."  But, who are the major benefactors of all that money? - the tourism industry.  Many of the  companies associated with "eco-tourism" are located in countries far removed from the eco-regions they send vacationers to.    They are not impacted by the environmental changes which occur from the human alien species they ship off and fly off to the ecologically important hotspots of our planet.  

Along with tourists and related activities comes environmental destruction.   Tourism brings in ships and jets carrying supplies and people, and the carriers and supplies themselves bring in more alien species (i.e., non-native plants, animals and organisms) which threaten and devastate native habitat and species.  More people must also come to the tourist resort area to fill the jobs of the expanded tourism industry, such as in hotels, restaurants, and transportation fields.  As more and more people take up residence, there is more construction and more pollution.

The Galapagos is one very special place on our planet where they are striving to protect the biodiversity and ecosystems from the activities of humans.  60,000 people visit the Galapagos Islands each year.  The Galapagos is considered to be a laboratory of evolution - a living library of genetic information.  95% of the known species that ever existed on the Galapagos Islands are still alive today.  These creatures have had to come up with some major adaptations to solve problems in order to have survived as species for this long of a period of time.  How can this biological heritage be protected from 60,000 visitors a year?  60,000 alien species who want to see this remarkable place.  Strict rules have been set up as to where people and their animals can live. 

  Non-native species come from somewhere else and they are not natural to the ecosystem they have been introduced to.  They may be harmless and beneficial in their natural surroundings, but they can totally devastate different environments.  When alien species enter into an ecosystem, they can disrupt the natural balance, reduce biodiversity, degrade habitats, alter native genetic diversity, transmit exotic diseases to native species, and further jeopardize endangered plants and animals.  When there are no established natural controls, such as predators to keep the non-native harmful species in check, there can be a population explosion of the invasive non-native species causing an ecological catastrophe.

Invasive Species Definition Clarification and Guidance White Paper

Submitted by the Definitions Subcommittee of the

Invasive Species Advisory Committee (ISAC)

Approved by ISAC April 27, 2006

Preamble:

Executive Order 13112 – defines an invasive species as "an alien species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health." In the Executive Summary of the National Invasive Species Management Plan (NISMP) the term invasive species is further clarified and defined as "a species that is non-native to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health." To provide guidance for the development and implementation of the NISMP, the National Invasive Species Council (NISC) and the Invasive Species Advisory Committee (ISAC) adopted a set of principles outlined in Appendix 6 of the NISMP. Guiding Principle #1 provides additional context for defining the term invasive species and states "many alien species are non-invasive and support human livelihoods or a preferred quality of life." However, some alien species (non-native will be used in this white paper because it is more descriptive than alien), for example West Nile virus, are considered invasive and undesirable by virtually everyone. Other non-native species are not as easily characterized. For example, some non-native species are considered harmful, and therefore, invasive by some sectors of our society while others consider them beneficial. This discontinuity is reflective of the different value systems operating in our free society, and contributes to the complexity of defining the term invasive species.

NISC is engaged in evaluating and updating the 2001 NISMP and is developing comments for a revised action plan as required by the EO 13112. While there have been numerous attempts to clarify the term

invasive species, there continues to be uncertainty concerning the use and perceived meaning of the term, and consequently over the prospective scope of actions proposed in the NISMP. Options related to private property use, pet ownership, agriculture, horticulture, and aquaculture enterprises may be affected depending upon the definition, use, and policy implications of the term.

Weeds As Examples

Weeds provide good examples to clarify what is meant by an invasive species because most people have a concept of what constitutes a "weed."

Invasion can be thought of as a process that in our example, a plant must go through to become a successful, yet harmful invader. Several barriers must be overcome for a plant to be considered an invasive weed. Invasive weeds are invasive species.

Large-scale geographical barriers

First, a geographical barrier must be overcome, which often occurs as a mountain range, ocean, or similar physical barrier to movement of seeds and other reproductive plant parts. Plants that overcome geographical barriers are known as alien plants or alien species. Alien plants are non-native plants and alien species are non-native species. Therefore, non-native plants are those that occur outside their natural range boundaries, and this most often is mediated by humans either deliberately or unintentionally.

Survival barriers

The second set of obstacles that a non-native plant must overcome is barriers to germination and survival in its new location. These typically are environmental barriers such as adequate moisture availability to allow successful germination and survival of seedlings that will continue to grow to maturity. Other physical barriers might be soil pH, nutrient availability, or competition for resources from neighboring plants.

In particular, the desire to consider a non-native species as ‘invasive’ may trigger a risk/benefit assessment process to determine whether regulatory action is warranted. All these uncertainties have stood and could continue to stand in the way of progress in actions and policy development to prevent new invasions and manage existing invasive species. While it is not the purpose of this white paper to define a risk/benefit assessment process, development of such a process must be open and efficient to minimize the uncertainties.

This white paper is intended to provide a non-regulatory policy interpretation of the term

The utility of our clarification should be in education, conflict resolution, and efficiency in the planning, prevention, control/eradication, and management of

2 invasive species by identifying what is meant, and just as important, what is not meant by the term. ISAC recognizes that biological and ecological definitions will not precisely apply to regulatory definitions. We believe, however, that our clarification will apply to all taxa of invasive species in all habitats and furthermore, our explanation will be functional and acceptable to most stakeholders. ISAC simply wants to clarify what is meant and what is not meant by the term invasive species in the technical sense and to provide insight into those areas where societal judgments will be necessary to implement effective public policy. invasive species.

Weeds As Examples

(continued)

Establishment barriers

The third obstacle that a non-native plant must overcome to be considered an invasive weed, is to form a population that is self-sustaining and does not need re-introduction to maintain a population base such that it continues to

survive and thrive in its new environment. Once this occurs, this population of non-native plants is considered to be established. Environmental barriers to survival and establishment are similar.

Dispersal and spread barriers

Established non-native plants must overcome barriers to dispersal and spread from their site of establishment to be considered invasive plants. Additionally, the rate of spread must be relatively fast. However, this movement or spread alone does not necessarily make this non-native plant an invasive weed or invasive species.

Harm and impact

Finally, a plant is deemed to be invasive if it causes negative environmental, economic, or human health effects, which outweigh any beneficial effects. For example, yellow starthistle is a source of nectar for bee producers. But the displacement of native and other desirable plant species caused by yellow starthistle leads to dramatically decreased forage for wildlife and livestock, which severely disrupts the profitability of associated businesses. These negative effects greatly overshadow the positive effects and thus, define harm caused by yellow starthistle and explain why it is considered an invasive species. posted by Carla 

Invasive Species Definition Clarification and Guidance White Paper

EGYPTIAN REVOLUTION : The Revolution's Next Step

The Revolution’s Next Step

Aug 15, 2011 1:00 AM EDT

The trial of Hosni Mubarak is an important moment for Egypt, but the military needs to stop trying to preserve the old regime.

 I think this is a very important moment, to see Mubarak in the cage. It’s a great moment in Egyptian history and the history of the whole region. It’s a turning point. From now on, the president will never be the father of the people or the symbol of the country. He’s going to be a public servant who works for the people, and when he makes mistakes, or commits crimes, he is going to be brought to justice.
During the revolution, for the first time, I knew the meaning of “the people.” I wrote the word “people” many times in my novels, but for the first time, I knew the meaning. I felt that we had 20 million people who were really members of one family. I lived through very dangerous moments. I was almost killed three times, and I’m not an exception. Twenty million people participated in this revolution and faced the real risk of getting killed. The regime was using snipers. People would be beside you and talking to you—and then, after 4 or 5 minutes, you’d hear a sound and the person who was talking to you is no more. He was shot in his head and he’s no more. So death becomes something you can live with, which is a very strange experience. Death is no longer an idea. But people never ran away, even when the snipers began to shoot. Why not? In a real revolution, people become elements of the revolution much more than individuals who are worried about their personal safety.
The mood in Cairo now is not as optimistic as it was on Feb. 11 when Mubarak stepped down. To be fair, people are still optimistic. People think that the future has begun in Egypt—everybody’s talking about that. But people are worried because after six months, they don’t see the changes they thought they were going to see.
The revolution forced Mubarak to step down. But we have doubts about the performance of the military council. The military council was supposed to respond to the demands of the revolution. Up until now it hasn’t responded, except for the trial of Mubarak. But the revolutionaries had other demands—for example, eliminating corrupt police officers and corrupt judges who supervise direct elections, changing the general prosecutor who has been working for Mubarak for years and who makes political compromises, and ceasing the practice of bringing civilians before military courts.
We must put pressure on the military council, and that’s exactly what we are doing. We do not forget that there is a counterrevolution in Egypt. There are elements of the regime making all kinds of trouble. The counterrevolution is putting pressure on ordinary people. You have thugs all over the country who are controlled and urged on by the Egyptian police. They use thugs to terrorize people so people will say they don’t have any more security because of the revolution. And since Egypt isn’t secure, it doesn’t have tourists. The military council should have eliminated all the officers who belonged to the Mubarak regime. They didn’t and don’t want to. At some point, people will say, ‘We hate the revolution, because we want to be safe.’ But the revolution is not the reason they are unsafe. The military council did not make the right decisions to protect the revolution.
The revolution made Mubarak step down, which was the first step in the elimination of the Mubarak regime—of the old regime, so that the revolution could build up a new regime. I think that the military council approved Mubarak’s resignation in order to save the old regime. So the resignation was seen in a very different way.
Now we also have another problem, because the Islamists have become aligned to the military council. The Islamists are absolutely supporting the military council and attacking anyone who criticizes the council. By this practice, they get closer and closer to power, so it’s a very opportunist position. They don’t care about anything except being in power. They care about that much more than they care about what the revolution wants.
After six months, you still have the counterrevolution making trouble for Egyptians; you have Mubarak’s police refusing to protect Egyptians. You still have the crisis of the Egyptian economy. So people don’t feel as optimistic or secure as they used to after the resignation of Mubarak. Now the most important thing is to explain to the people what’s happening, and to keep all the revolutionary forces united, and to keep the pressure on the military council.
A leaderless revolution was very good before the resignation of Mubarak. Because the revolution was leaderless, the Mubarak regime couldn’t control it. But after his resignation, we need leadership. We’re trying to organize something—a delegation or cabinet, or government for the revolution. But not one person—we’re not asking for a hero, because we believe that the real hero is the Egyptian people.
As told to Mike Giglio

http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2011/08/14/alaa-al-aswany-on-mubarak-s-trial.html

Why it is important to conserve our natural world

Gretchen Daily on the economic value of conservation

She says that if we can see the economic value of conserving our natural world, we will integrate nature in economic decisions

If we can see the economic value of conserving our natural world, we will integrate nature in economic decisions. That’s according to Gretchen Daily, conservationist and director of the Center for Conservation Biology at Stanford University.
Gretchen Daily: More and more conservation, as we think about it as conservation for the 21st century, is emerging as an effort that integrates human and natural well-being and seeks to harmonize those things.
She calls it “natural capital” – extending the idea of economic capital to the beneficial goods and services humans get from nature, such as bees that pollinate crops, freshwater for farm irrigation, and marshes that protect coasts from storms.
Gretchen Daily: We invest in physical capital, all of our physical infrastructure. Well, why not invest in our natural infrastructure?
She said that as the wealth of nature is disappearing from the planet due to human demand, more and more people are thinking about how it’s critical to preserve nature for humanity’s future prosperity. Daily said that in the past, conservation was seen to be in conflict with human development. She said that today, conservation is working to integrate human development with nature.
Gretchen Daily: It’s time to think very strategically about how to invest in natural capital to ensure that we maintain and help develop further really prosperous and sustainable ways of life across the world. The neat thing about what’s happening today is that people from all walks of life are recognizing the critical need to integrate understanding of how people depend on earth’s life support systems on our living natural capital; what kinds of conservation investments are needed if we think about environment as a type of capital that supplies us with a stream of benefits we depend all on for our economic prosperity.
In other words, the environment provides humans with tangible benefits for society. Daily mentioned, for example, the massive flooding that occurred in China in 1998 due to deforestation. She said deforestation elevated the flood risk in the Yanghtze River Basin. The flooding affected and killed thousands of people downstream from the deforested area. After the flooding, China began thinking differently about the value of forests in the landscape.
Gretchen Daily: There are massive investments being made now in China in shifting livelihoods from certain kinds of farming to more stable perennial crops and forests, to maintain that aspect of the natural capital of those upland river systems.
She added that conservationists themselves are getting smarter about how to get other people on board with conservation goals.
Gretchen Daily: We’re becoming more clever, and more sophisticated, about how to run with people, how to integrate people and human well-being into conservation activities and investments.

by Lindsay Patterson

Dear Gretchen Daily,

Thanks for all you are doing.

Can you point to another species in this wondrous world we are blessed to inhabit that both eats itself out of its own houses and ravages its earthly home as Homo sapiens is doing in our time?

If you can, does that species possess the level of consciousness, collective intelligence and other miraculous gifts (e.g., opposable thumbs) that make significant, rapid adaptation to the practical requirments of biophysical reality possible for the human species. To be in possession of such gifts as human beings have and then willfully choose not to deploy them as best we can because it is politically inconvenient and economically inexpedient; because human greed has been legitimized, institutionalized, legalized and regarded as virtuous, looks like a crime against humanity as well as the Earth for which human beings proclaim to be stewards, I suppose.

Sincerely,

Steve Salmony

Reply

o        patricia grey says:

August 22, 2011 at 10:33 am

I fully endorse Steve Salmony s views. To those detractors that think that Conservation and Ecological issues are a lose-lose battle and that we are doomed, Gretchen s views on Natural Capital could be the answer. There is a point in trying to stop global warming, there is a point in trying to preserve what we have. The point is OURSELVES. We are a species that is dying out. How long will it be necessary for us to realize before it is too late ? Capitalism is perhaps to blame for our endless greed and insensibility to nature s needs. On the other hand, it is a powerful engine that creates capital and gives jobs. The trouble is, it needs a balance. As everything else with man. BALANCE. The opposite view would be to become aware of its evils . One of them is thinking that money is everything. that there is. And Gretchen is pitting the two forces together with her ideas. Great . A lot of thinking on our part must go into this idea. Patricia

Reply

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Green belt

The city of Ottawa, located in the middle of the map, is surrounded by the Ottawa Greenbelt

A green belt or greenbelt is a policy and land use designation used in land use planning to retain areas of largely undeveloped, wild, or agricultural land surrounding or neighbouring urban areas. Similar concepts are greenways or green wedges which have a linear character and may run through an urban area instead of around it. In essence, a green belt is an invisible line encircling a certain area, preventing development of the area allowing wildlife to return and be established.

Purposes

In those countries which have them, the stated objectives of green belt policy are to:

·                    Protect natural or semi-natural environments;

·                    Improve air quality within urban areas;

·                    Ensure that urban dwellers have access to countryside, with consequent educational and recreational opportunities; and

·                    Protect the unique character of rural communities that might otherwise be absorbed by expanding suburbs.

The green belt has many benefits for people:

·                    Walking, camping, and biking areas close to the cities and towns.

·                    Contiguous habitat network for wild plants, animals and wildlife.

·                    Cleaner air and water

·                    Better land use of areas within the bordering cities.

The effectiveness of green belts differs depending on location and country. They can often be eroded by urban rural fringe uses and sometimes, development 'jumps' over the green belt area, resulting in the creation of "satellite towns" which, although separated from the city by green belt, function more like suburbs than independent communities.

Green Areas: Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Green areas

Dushanbe is one of the most picturesque and green cities of Tajikistan. Basic elements of green plantations here are:

• green areas within housing estates and residencies;
• cultural and recreational green plantations (parks, squares, avenues);
• water-protection, scientific and popular green areas (zoo, botanical gardens);
• green areas near office blocks, along streets.

Green areas take about 22% of city's territory. If we summarize total area of grass-plots, close crowns of the trees and shrubbery, then green area will be equal to 76% of populated area of Dushanbe (NILOP data).

Green areas are mainly located in the central part of the city and fragmentary in the outlying districts and microrayons. Among four administrative areas, Frunzensky district is less favorable than others. There are many residential and industrial areas, but shortage of green plantations.

Suburban green area, which is extremely necessary in arid and hot climate of Dushanbe, is virtually absent, with the exception of new evergreen plantations on the eastern hills. In surroundings of Dushanbe only grain-crops, maize, rice and cotton filed are widely distributed.

Fast-growing and somewhat decorative tree species are prevalent in Dushanbe: American maples, plane trees, various poplars, weeping willows, horse-chestnuts, Indian lilacs, locusts, etc. Evergreen and local wild species of trees are not widely used for decorative green planting.

According to recent botanical researches, about 90 tree species may be planted in Dushanbe's conditions, including 33 high-perspective tree species. Annually, central botanical garden in Dushanbe cultivates the hundreds of young plants to assist planting of greenery in the city. However, diversity of tree species in the parks, squares and avenues remains poor and even light deterioration may be observed.

Planting of trees remained behind of the present urban area and modern environmental necessities. In Dushanbe, most of green plantations are concentrated within housing estates and along main streets, while industrial green zones are not big enough. In view of reconstruction and enlargement of roads, many green areas are shortened.

Complexity in creation of new green plantations in Dushanbe and its surroundings is generally concerned with regular irrigation.

Many essential efforts have been undertaken by City Administration to restore and enhance the state of greenery in Dushanbe. Some of highlights are restoration of parks and squares, recovery of decorative grass-plots, placing of flowerbeds.

Statistics of greenery planting is as follows:

• In 1999 - 115 thousand young plants;
• In 2000 - 65 thousand young plants;
• In 2001 - 58 thousand young plants;

INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES WHY ARE THEY A PROBLEM TO BIODIVERSITY?

What are Invasive Alien Species?

Invasive alien species (IAS) are species whose introduction and/or spread outside their natural past or present distribution threatens biological diversity.
IAS occur in all taxonomic groups, including animals, plants, fungi and microorganisms, and can affect all types of ecosystems. While a small percentage of organisms transported to new environments become invasive, the negative impacts can be extensive and over time, these additions become substantial. A species introduction is usually vectored by human transportation and trade. If a species’ new habitat is similar enough to its native range, it may survive and reproduce. However, it must first subsist at low densities, when it may be difficult to find mates to reproduce. For a species to become invasive, it must successfully out-compete native organisms, spread through its new environment, increase in population density and harm ecosystems in its introduced range. To summarize, for an alien species to become invasive, it must arrive, survive and thrive.
Common characteristics of IAS include rapid reproduction and growth, high dispersal ability, phenotypic plasticity (ability to adapt physiologically to new conditions), and ability to survive on various food types and in a wide range of environmental conditions. A good predictor of invasiveness is whether a species has successfully or unsuccessfully invaded elsewhere.
Ecosystems that have been invaded by alien species may not have the natural predators and competitors present in its native environment that would normally control their populations. Native ecosystems that have undergone human-induced disturbance are often more prone to alien invasions because there is less competition from native species. For example, imported red fire ants (Solenopsis invicta Buren) are more successful in establishing themselves in disturbed areas such as roadsides and agricultural fields and rarely colonize intact closed forests.
Islands are especially vulnerable to IAS because they are naturally isolated from strong competitors and predators. Islands often have ecological niches that have not been filled because of the distance from colonizing populations, increasing the probability of successful invasions. For more detailed information, visit the Island Biodiversity page on Invasive Alien Species.

TASK  Our CPE sts must read and comment on this article. Hope you enjoy it ANA

Why is Composting Important?

In natural systems, no such thing as "waste" exists. Energy and matter captured by life processes are released upon the breakdown of organic substances only to be re-utilized by living organisms within the system. Long-term soil fertility is maintained in natural systems because the residues of biological decomposition are reused by them to foster new growth. The transformation and flow of the nutrient-containing chemical compounds involved in this process is often referred to as "nutrient cycling". Nutrient cycling helps ensure the stability of natural systems over time by linking the processes of synthesis (build-up) and degradation (breakdown).

This intricate cycle can be disrupted when components from within the system are removed without being replaced. The large-scale extraction of natural resources for humanity’s benefit seriously alters natural ecosystems. Where this has happened, it has presented societies with two major challenges. One challenge is to avoid resource depletion. The other is the accumulation of huge quantities of unused resources we call "waste".

In terms of the soil ecosystem, intensive cultivation practices used to produce mass quantities of food and fiber have (in many cases) left soils depleted of organic matter and vital nutrients, thus making them less naturally productive and more vulnerable to erosion. After humans consume the commodities, by-products of their decomposition often are not returned to the soil. Instead, they become part of the voluminous wastestreams which modern societies are having difficulty handling.

The composting of organic materials can help remedy this situation by capturing the energy and matter released in the decomposition process. Composting transforms organic "waste" products into a nutrient-rich soil amendment capable of improving depleted or disturbed soil environments. By the intentional act of composting, humans participate in what has been called nature’s "Law of Return" because a vital link is established for the return of organic matter to soil systems. By including composting in human-devised waste management systems, they become more reflective of natural patterns, and more sustainable in the long run. The organic matter resource is conserved, and problematic wastes are converted into a beneficial product that can be sold to help finance the composting operations.

When managed effectively, composting ensures that the finished product can be safely returned to the appropriate environment. The composting process helps to disinfect organic wastes (by killing pathogens), to sterilize weed seeds (which may be present in organic residues), to decompose (many) toxic substances and to stabilize nutrients in the compost (which have the potential to be lost or to negatively impact the environment). Processing organic materials prior to composting them aids in the reduction of physical contaminants such as plastic, glass or metal objects present in some wastes. Since compost products vary significantly in their degree of freedom from biological, chemical or physical contaminants, the quality level of a compost product must be suited to the intended end-use of the product.

http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/Organics/CompostMulch/CompostIs.htm

What is compost?

Compost is the end product of the decomposition of organic matter. Organic matter includes: garden waste, kitchen scraps, manure, leaves, grass clippings, straw... There are many methods of composting, but all organic matter will eventually decompose.

Composting is nature's process of recycling decomposed organic materials into a rich soil known as compost. Anything that was once living will decompose. Basically, backyard composting is an acceleration of the same process nature uses. By composting your organic waste you are returning nutrients back into the soil in order for the cycle of life to continue. Finished compost looks like soil–dark brown, crumbly and smells like a forest floor.

Types of composting:

• Backyard composting — If you have a yard and a balance of browns (fallen leaves or straw) and greens (grass clippings and food scraps), you have all you need to make compost.
  
• Worm composting (vermicomposting) — If you have a tiny yard or live in an apartment or have an abundance of food scraps, this type of composting is for you.
  
• Grasscycling If you have grass clippings and don't want to use them in a compost pile you can leave them on the lawn to decompose. Read about grasscycling for tips, techniques and benefits.

http://gardening.about.com/od/gardenprimer/g/Compost.htm

http://www.recycleworks.org/compost/index.html

George Carlin on Saving the Planet (stand up comedy sketch) by Agustin Perez Villafañe

Warning: the following video contains high doses of sarcasm, irony, black humor & overall cynicism.

In other words, take it with a grain of salt and laugh your asses off

I chose to share this video to the blog due to it's particular approach towards the enviromentalist movement and how the Earth is way older and wiser than us.