vision2020@moscow.com: Biodiversity
Biodiversity
Joel Hamilton (joelh@uidaho.edu)
Fri, 25 Jul 1997 09:37:30 -0700 (PDT)
>From Dale Goble:
>biodiversity in itself is not *always* a positive -- if all that the term
>is taken to mean is an increase in the number of species.
>
>while palouse agriculture has taken a relatively diverse area and denuded
>it of indigenous wildlife, the 5-acres-and-a-horse development is unlikely
>to create habitat that will lead to the reestablishment of the missing
>wildlife. rather than sharp-tailed grouse, for example, suburban
>development is likely to lead to more house sparrows and starlings; if a
>pond is constructed the species is likely to be canada geese. missing
>mammals and fish are also unlikely to reappear because of the size of
>the area necessary to support the species.
>
>my point is that simply increasing the numbers of animals is not in itself
>particularly beneficial.
>
>dale goble
>
Of course I agree that sprawl will not bring back the biodiversity
that was here before the Palouse was plowed. On the other hand, we're not
going to return these plowed fields to that pristine condition anytime soon.
Joel Hamilton
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