In Chapter 8 and 9, Marris discusses designer ecosystem and conservation in areas not commonly thought of. First, she urges conservationists to look at the future to aim for something valuable instead of trying to get a previous ecosystem back that is almost impossible (129). If biotic and abiotic changes both occur to an ecosystem, like the Eucalyptus woodland, there is no going back to the historical antecedent (129). Designer ecosystem is the system that she proposes, which uses shortcuts to get a landscape to look and work the way they wanted (125). For example, they will allow sunk ships to stay in water for coral reefs to live on or to slow down stream flow with rocks and root balls inside wire baskets. Although designer ecosystems do not bring an ecosystem back to its previous state, it does “heal wounded nature and return it to a stable “natural” state” (126). Compared to returning an ecosystem to its previous state that works with almost impossible and immeasurable goals, a designer ecosystem can work with measurable goals that are valuable, such as nitrogen reduction, sediment capture, or maintaining endangered species. However, as stated by Marris, ecosystem is too complex at the moment for humans to completely understand (130). There is no way that we know everything about an ecosystem and every interaction between species in the ecosystem, making some designer ecosystems fail. Also, natural selection and the force of nature can always outperform our plans for designer ecosystem at any time. Not to mention that a noticeable population of human race will still like to have the nature in its “raw” state. As a result, Marris proposes a “best-case future”, where designer ecosystem and island civilization coexist (131). It means that when we engineer ecosystems the way we wanted, we also leave some areas out of human population and let it run wildly.
Besides the designer ecosystem, Marris want to maximize conservation effort by urging conservation in places never thought of before. She suggests three areas where that can happen. First, she suggests building nature on farms and ranches because they are set up to grow things (142). Farm and ranch land cover half of ice-free land, which is a good idea to start conservation there since they are areas often being neglected. We can develop organic farms or pay farmers to let birds feed on and live on their plantation. Second, Marris suggests the combining interests of industry and conservation. Industrial space can become more natural by adding green (143). For example, developing green roofs on top of a factory can create habitat for organisms and help industrial processes by reducing water runoff and absorbing sunlight to reduce urban heat island effect. Lastly, Marris suggests conservational effort in our own garden space, or rambunctious gardens. She urges people to plant endangered species in their garden, to tear out lawns, to build green roof, to make rain gardens, and to create wild space without too much interference. One might argue that a garden is too small for conservation efforts. However, these small gardens are linked-up by pollinators and corridors, making them a metapopulation that can create a high biodiversity. However, when making a conservation effort, people should consider how much of nature they can handle. Conservation everywhere allows people to love nature and to support conservation instead of just leaving the responsibility to other agencies (150). Everyone can carry the responsibility of conservation.
I think both systems will be great conservation efforts toward better functioning ecosystems and higher biodiversity. There might be risks of carrying out designer ecosystem because nature can often outperform the designer ecosystem and turn it into be something undesired and unexpected. However, if successful, they are great to have to improve the functions of ecosystems. Conserving everywhere is absolutely feasible if people are willing to participate and realize its benefits. Not only can it create a pleasant and aesthetic space, it can also contribute to conservation. These gardens can also provide data for ecologists so that they can plan assisted migration and other means of conservation. They are both methods that enhances and preserves nature, which is something that is going forward instead of backward in time.
