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Environmental Group: Ecosystem Services

Posted on December 3, 2012 by isadorebetesh

In order to better understand the impact that watersheds may have on society we must first understand the definition of a watershed, which according to Sandra Postel and Barton Thompson’s article “Watershed protection: Capturing the benefits of nature’s water supply services,” is an “area of land that drains into a common water source.” The article goes on to mention that due to the fact that watersheds connect different freshwater and coastal ecosystems they provide us with many services that are undervalued and under appreciated. To name a few of the many services, they supply and purify fresh water, provide for a habitat that safeguards and preserves biological diversity, assist in flood control, regulate the flow of water, control erosion of sediment and help with the stabilization of the climate.

The article states that before we make decisions regarding the use and management of watershed lands, we must take into account the value of the natural services that it provides us with.Changing the land into urban settlements reduces the ability of the watersheds to perform these services, thereby reducing the benefits that society derives from it. An analysis of the 106 primary watersheds has found that in almost one third of them more than half of the land has been converted into an urban-industrial use. Furthermore, in Europe 13 watershed lost at least 90 percent of their vegetation and China’s Yangtze and Yellow Rivers have lost 85 and 78 percent of their vegetation.

The loss of natural and healthy watersheds has diminished its ability to perform one of its most important tasks, which is the purification of drinking water. The article states that the loss of this ability will contribute to harm to human health, lower water quality and high water costs as new methods of purification are pursued. Watersheds that have a high proportion of vegetative cover are effective at purifying water supplies. The vegetation and soil has the ability to filter out contaminants and trap sediments that would enter rivers, lakes and streams, thereby providing for a cleaner water source. This high reliability of the water source would also provide for lower treatment and maintenance costs of the watershed. If the watersheds aren’t adequately protected they will provide their dependents with “less clean, less reliable water.” Furthermore, the increase of pollution in the water due to the fact that the watersheds were unable to trap sediments and filter out contaminants can degrade the quality of the water of aquatic habitats.

As a result, I believe that it is important that we attempt to solve this issue from the start, in order to avoid the detrimental effects that it may have on society. We fail to recognize the value that theses ecosystem services provide us with and it is imperative that we gain this understanding before it is too late. People neglect to take into account these services due to the fact that they are provided with no charge and fail to recognize the cost that we would have to pay in order to replace these services. Therefore, it is important that we educate ourselves and strive to maintain these watersheds before it is too late.

Source:

Postel, Sandra L., and Barton H. Thompson, Jr. “Watershed Protection: Capturing the Benefits of Nature’s Water Supply Services.” Natural Resources Forum 29 (2005): 98-108. Print.

Questions for Emma Marris

Posted on October 30, 2012 by isadorebetesh

1. What event in your life influenced you to become so passionate in urban ecology and the environment? What assisted you in formulating this idea of a rambunctious garden?

2. In your last chapter, entitled “A Menu of Goals,” you listed 7 goals that can assist us in saving the environment, which ones do you think are most important and why?

3. What specific examples can you give us as to how you have changed your life to revolve around this idea of a “rambunctious garden”?

4. Have you ever encountered a certain place or area that allowed you to say to yourself that this is the quintessential example of a “rambunctious garden”?

Questions for Poster

Posted on October 10, 2012 by isadorebetesh

1. What are the negative effects that air pollution may have to New York city’s residents and which areas in New York have the greatest air pollution?

2. How has the lack of sanitation and cleanliness in certain parts of New York city affected the spread, rate and variety of diseases and infections?

3. Which areas in New York city have the best and worst quality of tap water and what factors in those areas contributes to that quality?

Rambunctious Garden: Chapter 6 and 7

Posted on October 2, 2012 by isadorebetesh

In chapter six of the ‘Rambunctious Garden: Saving Nature in a Post Wild World,” Marris focuses her attention on invasive, otherwise known as exotic, species. She argues that even though there is a general preconceived notion that they are harmful to the environments they are introduced into, this may not always be the case. One preconception about invasive species is that they are devastating to the existing population and kill out many of the species through predation and competition. She introduces certain reasons as to why conservationists focus so much time, energy and money in order to battle this problem. However, she goes on to argue on behalf of invasive species and points out that in most cases the exotic species don’t turn out to have negative effects on the existing population of that ecosystem, in fact in many cases they may be beneficial to the ecosystem. She mentions, “While some exotic species are a huge problem, the vast majority are not.” (98) Marris attempts to convince the reader that just because an exotic species is not native to a certain environment, does not mean that it is necessarily harmful to that ecosystem. The change may in fact be beneficial to both the ecosystem and the species and may promote greater sustainability in the ecosystem, for instance it may increase the biodiversity of the ecosystem. Pertaining this issue I couldn’t agree more with Marris. I believe that this is another way that conservationists look to restore ecosystems to their natural conditions. Just because these species do not belong in this specific environment doesn’t mean that this change may be beneficial to all of the parties involved.

In chapter seven of her book, Marris focuses on Novel Ecosystems, which are man-made, however they are not closely maintained by humans. In novel ecosystems humans introduces and invasive or exotic species into certain environments and these species are just left on their own to maintain themselves. In many cases, these ecosystems have been found to be performing well on their own and in some instances outperforming natural ecosystems. In her book she mentions, “These new systems likely do spell homogenization and extinction, in some places. But they can also mean ecosystem services, increased diversity, and brand-new species.” (122) She mentions that even though it may lead to the extinction of a certain species it may also have many positive effects and may bring about a strong, thriving and self-sustainable ecosystem. Once again Marris points out that the misconceptions that exotic species destroy ecosystems is in actuality false. In many cases they may be harmless or even beneficial to their new environments. In any event, before introducing new species into non-native ecosystems one must conduct research and predict the possible outcomes and consequences that may occur.

Rambunctious Garden- Chapter 8 and 9

Posted on October 2, 2012 by isadorebetesh

In chapter 8 of the “Rambunctious Garden,” Emma Marris poses a discussion about Designer Ecosystems, which are ecosystems that are created and designed in order to reach a certain goal and purpose. They can recreate the ecosystem in a way that serves a certain purpose or goal that they want to accomplish. This differs from the method she mentioned in a previous chapter in which ecosystems are constructed in order to mimic how the environment looked in the past. Instead of trying to create an artificial, historic ecosystem conservationists attempt to create ecosystems that have a functional purpose and usefulness. For instance, Marris mentions that some of the goals that can be accomplished include “nitrogen reduction, sediment capture, or the maintenance of one or a small number of named species” (125). Instead of focusing on the past and on how ecosystems used to look like traditional conservationists, ecologists who use this method turn their attention to creating a more successful and sustainable future. Unlike modern efforts that attempt to recreate nature as it looked before human interference and development, these ecologists understand that nature is not as it was thousands of years ago and came to terms with the fact that ecosystems have changed. They know that it is not possible to restore nature to pristine and historic conditions and I believe that once we fully understand that we will be able to turn our backs on the past and look to the future. Many species have changed and it is important that we focus on ways that will allow these species to thrive and be able to sustain themselves in their new environments.
In chapter 9 titled “Conservation Everywhere” Marris focuses her attention on promoting the idea that through the methods that she mentions throughout her book nature has the ability to exist everywhere. She attempts to instill in her reader that fact that we must make “the most out of every scrap of land and water.” She points out that we must strive to put conservation in the forefront of our minds and try to preserve nature everywhere, whether it is in industrial areas or our own backyards. One main point that she mentions is that nature and industry can coexist and that we should make almost every place the breeding grounds for nature. No matter where we are we should strive to try to promote the existence of nature and the emergence of new ecosystems. This relates to what she discusses in her beginning chapters, when she introduces the concept of a “Rambunctious Garden.” Like she says in her earlier chapter, nature is all around us and whether it is in a park, our backyards or right next to a fast food joint we must try to strive for the conservation of ecosystems and the coexistence of nature and man. I believe that this idea would provide for a greater human appreciation for nature and their surroundings and although it wouldn’t solve the entire problem, it can act as a guiding step to create a world where man and nature can coexist.

The High Line and Stalter

Posted on September 26, 2012 by isadorebetesh

The Chelsea High Line is a park located on an elevated railroad track, running along 10th Avenue between 14th street and 34th street. Due to the fact that I’ve never visited the high Line before I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I couldn’t help but wonder how an entire ecosystem would be able to survive in an area dominated by development and the uprooting of natural ecosystems. However, as I stepped onto that platform I was amazed to witness how in a matter of a few steps I could be transferred from a city that is in constant motion, to one that exemplifies the very meaning of serenity, beauty and nature. During my visit on September 20th, I noticed that different varieties of bees were the pollinators that were in the largest abundance. Although there was a little breeze during my visit, I couldn’t help but notice that at every patch of flowers there happened to be a few bees pollinating the plants.

The High Line seems to be a perfect example of what Emma Marris refers to in her book as a “Rambunctious Garden.” Unlike the efforts of the conservations to make a distinction and separation between nature and human interaction, the High Line strives to combine the two into an ecosystem where nature and man can coexist and live together in harmony. Instead of constricting nature to reserves in order to create “pristine” ecosystem, Marris points out that we should allow nature to adapt to its modern day habitats. In the second chapter of her book, “Rambunctious Garden: Saving Nature in a Post Wild World,” Marris states “Conservation can happen in parks, on farms, in the strips of land attached to rest stops and fast-food joints, in your backyard, on your roof, even in city traffic circles. Rambunctious gardening is proactive and optimistic; it creates more and more nature as it goes, rather than just building walls around the nature we have left.” Instead of forcing nature to become how we believe it should be, we must allow it to form in its own way. The High Line is a perfect example of nature adapting to its surroundings and with the assistance of many pollinators, such as bumble bees and honey bees, the High Line is able to flourish and survive as a natural ecosystem.

In his article, “The Flora of the High Line,” Richard Stalter provides further information as to why the High Line can be classified as a “Rambunctious Garden.” Stalter mentions that the High Line has a greater species richness and abundance than many other areas in New York, including Ellis Island, Liberty Island and Bayswater State Park. I found it very hard to believe, however at the same time amazing, that an ecosystem as successful as this could survive in an urban area as advanced as the heart of New York City. It really goes to prove the fact that we don’t have to isolate nature from human interaction in order for it to thrive.

Assisted Migration

Posted on September 12, 2012 by isadorebetesh

Assisted Migration is the process by which a species is taken out of its natural habitat and transported into a new ecosystem. This is usually done in response to climate shifts, due to the release of harmful gases such as methane and carbon monoxide in the original habitat of the species that do not provide it with the proper conditions necessary for it to survive and perpetuate. Scientists will therefore transport them to an environment with suitable living conditions as in their original habitat in the hopes that they will be able to continue on and succeed as a species.

When I first read about this process I tried to understand both sides of the coin. On one hand, I believe that by using assisted migration scientists will be able to combat the rate of extinction and ensure that species that are on the verge of extinction may be able to continue on. After all, there inability to cope with changes to their environment was all due to the releases of harmful gases by humans. However, on the other hand, as in Rewilding, there is no way to accurately predict the consequences that it may have on both its original habitat and the environment that it is introduced into. For instance, what if it acts as an invasive species to its new ecosystem and drives out native species or if it causes an unbalance in its native ecosystem and causes another species to go extinct as a result. These are all consequences that must be taken into account before assisted migration is conducted. Maybe we should just let nature and evolution take its course and refrain from interfering with the outcome of species. We should compel the species to adapt on their own to survive in their ecosystems.

Emma Marris, in chapter 5 of the “Rambunctious Garden,” touches upon this topic and provides certain examples that show the positive effects that assisted Migration may have. For example, she discusses the benefits it may have with a pika, which is an animal that lives in the mountains because they can only survive in cold temperatures. As there are shifts in the temperature patterns and the climate cools down they must move further up the mountain to provide for a livable environment. As you go further and further up the mountain there is less space and eventually they will run out of room and likely go extinct due to changing conditions. By using assisted migration, pikas can be transported to an environment where there population may be able to live and thrive.

Although assisted migration may be accompanied by many positive effects, I believe that it can also have many negative consequences, and therefore is not something that should be taken lightly. I believe that when it is absolutely necessary to save a species assisted migration should be used, however it must be accompanied by a detail analysis outlining the possible effects that may come along with it. The Puth and Burns article made it clear that over the years there was a decline in species richness throughout the Metropolitan area, and although we may use assisted migration to help the populations of certain species thrive, I believe that it should not be used unless proper research is done and the benefits will definitely outweigh the consequences.

Rambunctious Garden: Rewilding

Posted on September 10, 2012 by isadorebetesh

In chapters 3 and 4 of The Rambunctious Garden: Seeing Nature in a Post Wild World, Emma Marris introduces the concept of Rewilding. Rewilding, as defined in her book, is an effort by conservationists and ecologists, in which they strive to recreate ecosystems as they may have looked 13,000 years ago. Through the use of this program they attempt to research how the different species and ecosystem interact with one another in their natural habitats, untouched by human interaction and development. This effort creates a more “pristine” environment because the biodiversity and different types of species would better reflect its original environment, before the interference of humans.

What the conservationists fail to realize is the fact that this effort of Rewilding contradicts almost everything that they preach. Many ecologists advocate for ecosystems free from human interference and contend that we should not intervene with nature, however, what they don’t recognize is that through Rewilding man gets the chance to play God, in a sense, and has the opportunity to create their own ecosystem. It doesn’t seem plausible that ecologists would strive to separate man and nature and create preserves and protected areas to keep man away from the environment, while at the same time focusing their effort and money to construct a man-made ecosystem. Marris mentions, “The whole place is cultivated, man-made, created.” Although it may seem as if this ecosystem is truly “pristine” and a natural environment this is not the case. In fact, it is actually on the opposite end of the spectrum and has been fully created by man. Furthermore, in my opinion this practice seems to be unethical and immoral. Man should not have the right to move different species around to create an ecosystem that they believe to be fit and we do not have the right to say what belongs and what does not.

Another fault that I believe accompanies this effort is the fact that nature has evolved greatly over the years and throughout that history many species have become extinct. In order to account for these extinct species scientists and ecologists introduce “proxies” or species that resemble those that have lived in the original environment. They would be taken out of their original environment and introduced into this new ecosystem to act as the extinct species. One problem the comes along with these “proxies” is the fact that they is no way for scientists to clearly know how they will react when introduced into this new environment. For instance, they can bring along with them invasive pests or they themselves can become pests in this new environment. Furthermore, due to the fact that this environment is not exactly as it was back in the day these animals may react differently and it may cause them to die out quickly as a result. Another major problem, there is no way for scientists to know exactly how the environment looked thousands of years ago. Most of their conclusions are based on assumptions.

I believe that the effort of Rewilding may be accompanied by many negative consequences and should not be practiced. Instead of opening the divide between humans and nature, ecologists should strive to bring them together and focus on an environment where man and nature can live together in harmony. This would increase the respect that humans hold for nature and the environment.

Rambunctious Garden Chapters 1 & 2

Posted on September 3, 2012 by isadorebetesh

Throghout the first two chapters of her book, “Rambunctious Garden: Saving Nature in a Post-Wild World, Emma Marris attempts to reveal her thesis and the main point which will be stressed throughout the book’s duration. She argues that the modern view of most conservationists is mistaken and needs to be adjusted. She claims that this view refers to the “Yellowstone Model,” which was made famous by John Muir and President Theodore Roosevelt. According to this model, natural parks should be set aside as protected areas in order to be restored to their natural conditions, before they were altered and interfered with by humans. Marris argues that this process does not seem plausible for a number of reasons. Firstly, in order to do so, conservationists would have to be able to recreate what this ecosystem may have been like before human interference. Then they would have to be able to reintroduce the species that would have been natural to that ecosystem, while removing all of the introduced species. This process would have required a lot of effort, time, resources and money and would have proved to be worthless.

As an alternative, she believes that instead of using up all of this time and energy in converting nature to a pre-human “pristine” environment, conservationists should work on intertwining the two and allowing them to work side by side and in harmony. She believes that nature in all around us and in this respect conservation can happen wherever we look. She states, “Conservation can happen in parks, on farms, in the strips of land attached to rest stops and fast-food joints, in your backyard, on your roof, even in city traffic circles. Rambunctious gardening is proactive and optimistic; it creates more and more nature as it goes, rather than just building walls around the nature we have left.” Instead of cutting off a section of land and characterizing it as sacred we should support an organization where man and nature can work and live together in order to support the ecosystem and allow it to thrive.

One strong point that Marris stresses throughout the first two chapters is that over the years we have developed a notion that nature is something that is far away and mysterious. In fact, we view nature as a place in which there is an absence of human life and interaction. In reality, there is no such place that can be referred to as truly “pristine.” Not only have humans altered and interfered with almost every ecosystem, but even if this wasn’t the case nature constantly reshapes itself, whether there is human interaction present or not. Therefore, it is pointless to try to reshape nature to its former natural conditions due to the fact that change is constant and ecosystems are always changing, with or without human interference. Therefore, Marris claims that instead of forcing nature and man to become enemies we should strive to combine the two and create a “rambunctious garden” where both can live in harmony with one another.

Anthropocene

Posted on August 29, 2012 by isadorebetesh

Anthropocene, as defined by Peter Kareiva in his article, “Conservation in the Anthropocene,” is “the new geological era” in which humans dominate almost every facet and cycle of the plane’s ecology. It refers to the extent by which the growing human population affects the environment, including the many ecosystems, species and natural processes that make it up.

Both articles provide us with examples as to the effects that humanity has had on the environment and destruction that may come about due to the actions of human beings. For instance, Vitousek mentions that human enterprises, which include farming, fishing, agriculture, and traditional commerce, can alter major chemical cycles in the environment and can add or remove species from a particular ecosystem. One prime example to this fact is when he states that currently 11% of the remaining birds, 18% of mammals, 5% of fish and 8% of plant species are threatened with extinction. Furthermore, Kareiva mentions that “today it is impossible to find a place on Earth that is unmarked by human activity.” We must understand the impact that our actions may have on the environment and that we are not the only species that inhabit this earth.

Although both articles agree that the anthropocene has had detrimental effects to the environment, they both provide different solutions as to the ways we can change our actions for the benefit of the natural environment. In order to do so, Kareiva challenges the common notion that the way to conserve the environment is to halt human development and in a sense “rope off” certain areas as sacred. He believes that by doing so conservationists “create an atmosphere in which people see nature as the enemy.” Instead, conservationists must relate their actions to the people, especially the poor and look out for their own well-being, as well as natures’. They should not seek to discourage development, rather they should inform the people about the right king of development, which is done with nature in mind. By bringing nature within reach of human communities, and allowing it to take part in the sustenance of the population, it will lead to the appreciation of nature and the desire for conservation.

Vitousek, on the other hand, sides with a different three step approach in order to recognize the consequences of human enterprise on the environment. First, he mentions that we must work to reduce the rate at which we alter the Earth system. He states that ecosystems may be able to better adapt to human modifications if these changes are slow. Second, we must try to understand how the earth’s ecosystems interact with “human caused global change.” By doing, so we will gain knowledge as to the impacts of our actions of the rest of the world. Lastly, he states that we must be responsible for managing the planet and maintaining populations and ecosystems.

In my opinion, both of the solutions are correct and both strive to raise awareness as to the reliance of the human population on the environment and its species. By intertwining human development with nature and by trying to grasp as understanding of the effect that we have on ecosystems, we will be able to realize the importance that the environment plays in our lives and how we in fact depend greatly on the world around us.

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