There have been many species of plants or animals that have been introduced into our ecosystem that have lead to problems and wreaked a havoc on our ecosystem. There are many that could be listed and here are three examples of species that were introduced into our ecosystem.
1. purple loosestrife, introduced from Europe in the early 1800s as a garden ornamental plant, it has invaded wetlands throughout eastern North America, edging out many native species. Wetlands are the most biologically diverse part of our ecosystem. When the species was introduced it would choke out the habitat in the wet lands and in fact effecting many other species along the way. There are actually three provinces that ban the sale of purple loosestrife and the rest of Canada still allows it to be sold.
2. A huge threat to the St Laurence river is Zebra Muscles. They have already infested some of the great lakes. The most striking characteristics of the zebra mussel are its tendency to congregate by the tens, even hundreds, of thousands per square metre. Tagged with a reputation as a nuisance species, the zebra mussel is a cause for concern because the problems it creates are serious. It blocks conduits (water intakes, pipelines, tunnels), corrodes ship hulls, covers wrecks, causes loss of habitat, and changes the structure and functioning of ecosystems. Unfortunately, solutions to these problems are few and not very effective. Since the river is not the best environment for zebra muscles, it can be assumed that the zebra mussel will not thrive in the St. Lawrence to the extent that it has in the Great Lakes.
3. There has been a species that has been introduced into a secluded ecosystem that is very near us in our oak wood savanna. Pine trees were introduce some years ago and they began to reek havoc with the ecosystem. There are now plans to cut these trees down., When one of our classes took a field trip to the Pinnery we cut some of theses pine trees down to control the population.
In the end people say why make the effort. Well there are many reasons to make the effort. If we do not it will eventually destroy our ecosystem or cause disease and many other things that can weaken an ecosystem.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
SFM's
According to the report Canada is participating in a Sustainable Forest management practice. SFM plans are about finding a balance among all the different uses of the forest. The idea is to have continue so a forest can function ecological as so it benefits to all living thing . this may sound very simple on paper, there has been many years of research and analysis of our forest. There are numerous institutions that regulate the SFM.
In the article it explains how Canada has nearly 300 million hectares of forest and 92 million hectares of wooded land. Canada accounts for 30% of the Boreal forest in the world and yet we are still in my opinion over harvesting the lumber and forest for other wood products.
For the current (2003-2008) Nation forest strategy is to have
-ecosystem-based management;
-sustainable forest communities;
-rights and participation of Aboriginal peoples;
-forest product benefits;
-knowledge and innovation for competitiveness and sustainability;
-the urban forest and public engagement in sustainability;
-private woodlots’ contribution to sustainability; and
reporting and accountability.
All though this sounds like a lot these themes are only going to lead to sustainable forest management. In my opinion something that will lead to the solution is only a start and Canada requires something more then this. I think that we need more strict rules that will not only lead to sustainable forest management but solve the problems that exist.
It can be seen in some areas where there are SFM management plans in place across the countries across the country, but there are many places where these practices have been ignored and irreversible damage has been done. In a sense we did not take awareness soon enough and therefor caused a lot of damage in some areas. In the end if we do not begin to enforce it among people to manage or forest so as we will be able to have a forest in the future that can still support life and provide an economy for our society.
In the article it explains how Canada has nearly 300 million hectares of forest and 92 million hectares of wooded land. Canada accounts for 30% of the Boreal forest in the world and yet we are still in my opinion over harvesting the lumber and forest for other wood products.
For the current (2003-2008) Nation forest strategy is to have
-ecosystem-based management;
-sustainable forest communities;
-rights and participation of Aboriginal peoples;
-forest product benefits;
-knowledge and innovation for competitiveness and sustainability;
-the urban forest and public engagement in sustainability;
-private woodlots’ contribution to sustainability; and
reporting and accountability.
All though this sounds like a lot these themes are only going to lead to sustainable forest management. In my opinion something that will lead to the solution is only a start and Canada requires something more then this. I think that we need more strict rules that will not only lead to sustainable forest management but solve the problems that exist.
It can be seen in some areas where there are SFM management plans in place across the countries across the country, but there are many places where these practices have been ignored and irreversible damage has been done. In a sense we did not take awareness soon enough and therefor caused a lot of damage in some areas. In the end if we do not begin to enforce it among people to manage or forest so as we will be able to have a forest in the future that can still support life and provide an economy for our society.
Genetically Modified Foods
In my opinion genetically modified foods should not have to be labeled. It is pretty much know that if the crops are not genetically modified, they will be susceptible to lower yields, crop damage due to insects and diseases. I don't think that people should be complaining the way they are because with out these crops there would be less food available and the food available would be of poorer quality. In fact with out these crops you would end up paying more because the supply could become less then the demand. Which is the way it is know so we would be in a bad situation. In my opinion if we have the technology to modify these crops and plants that it should not matter to society if in the end it is going to help us survive. If you are a person that does not want to eat the food that is provided then you should go out and do your own research to find out whether it is modified or not. if you were to look in a store you would find that most of the products in the store have been modified in some way.
1. If the plants that are genetically modified can have an increase in the amount of nutrients. Sometimes called ‘nutritional enhancement’, is now at an advanced stage. Researchers are especially looking at major health problems like iron and vitamin A deficiency. The removal of the protein in peanuts that causes allergies in some people is also being researched, which would save many people.
2. Some believe that the benefits of genetically modified foods, greatly out weigh the risk of them. Like, starvation and diseases caused by some foods. The crops of animals can be much healthier and have much higher yields then previous unmodified foods.
3. Gm crops are amongst the most researched thing in history, they undergo rigorous science based testing. The scientist who test these crops and animals that are being modified are experts in there field and must have some idea what is going on.
4. Farmers actually prefer to farm this way. there are over 8.25 million farmers in the world, 90% farm in developing countries and most chose to plant with biotechnology
1. If the plants that are genetically modified can have an increase in the amount of nutrients. Sometimes called ‘nutritional enhancement’, is now at an advanced stage. Researchers are especially looking at major health problems like iron and vitamin A deficiency. The removal of the protein in peanuts that causes allergies in some people is also being researched, which would save many people.
2. Some believe that the benefits of genetically modified foods, greatly out weigh the risk of them. Like, starvation and diseases caused by some foods. The crops of animals can be much healthier and have much higher yields then previous unmodified foods.
3. Gm crops are amongst the most researched thing in history, they undergo rigorous science based testing. The scientist who test these crops and animals that are being modified are experts in there field and must have some idea what is going on.
4. Farmers actually prefer to farm this way. there are over 8.25 million farmers in the world, 90% farm in developing countries and most chose to plant with biotechnology
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Ways of Reducing GHG's
There are numerous ways to reduce ghg's and here are a few ways to reduce them:
1. Drive Smart-about 50% of ghg's come from vehicle use. Ways to reduce ghg's when driving are to keep your car tuned. his could be one of the best ways. Another way to reduce ghg's when driving are to avoid accelerating fast. This causes a decrease in gas efficiency.
2. If you unplug all devices that are not in use could reduce emissions by up to 10%
3. A huge way to reduce energy is to use cfl's, compact fluorescent lights rude emissions up to 60% compared older light bulbs that are highly inefficient and the cfl's also last up to 10 years.
4. If you were to turn the thermostat up 2 degrees in the summer you would save at least reduce emissions by one ton.
5. Using products with less packaging is another great way to reduce ghg's
6. Think be for you fly because airplanes you large amounts of fuel and therefor traveling loser to home would reduce a large amount of ghg's
7. Use public transportation
8. Don't leave water running or lights on when leaving a room.
9. Buying more fuel efficient vehicles
10. Recycle waste that is able to be recycled
1. Drive Smart-about 50% of ghg's come from vehicle use. Ways to reduce ghg's when driving are to keep your car tuned. his could be one of the best ways. Another way to reduce ghg's when driving are to avoid accelerating fast. This causes a decrease in gas efficiency.
2. If you unplug all devices that are not in use could reduce emissions by up to 10%
3. A huge way to reduce energy is to use cfl's, compact fluorescent lights rude emissions up to 60% compared older light bulbs that are highly inefficient and the cfl's also last up to 10 years.
4. If you were to turn the thermostat up 2 degrees in the summer you would save at least reduce emissions by one ton.
5. Using products with less packaging is another great way to reduce ghg's
6. Think be for you fly because airplanes you large amounts of fuel and therefor traveling loser to home would reduce a large amount of ghg's
7. Use public transportation
8. Don't leave water running or lights on when leaving a room.
9. Buying more fuel efficient vehicles
10. Recycle waste that is able to be recycled
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