[Photo: Pyrenean desman (Galemys pyrenaicus), a small semiaquatic mammal or "water mole" found in northwestern Spain and northern Portugal. Source: Wikipedia. Author: David Perez. Used under license: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0).
If Restoring Historical Communities is Essentially Impossible, What Are We Actually Doing?
In our studies and discussions to date, I've emphasized that it is nearly impossible to return to the ecological and environmental conditions of the past, given the overwhelming threat and harsh realities of climate change and human degradation of the natural world. In short, everything is changing, and changing rapidly because of human population growth and consumption of land, water, and other natural resources. How does that reality affect the field of restoration ecology, and quite possibly, the things that you will do in your future careers?
I hope that you may recall, that back in Unit 3, I told you that if I had only one paper to give to you to read and study this semester, it would probably be the paper by Kareiva, P. and M. Marvier. 2012. What is conservation science? Bioscience 62(11):962-969. And you may recall the video lecture by Dr. Kareiva on the topic of "New Conservation."
How is this concept being discussed and debated in the context of the Anthropocene (the proposed epoch defined by human impact on global geology and ecosystems)?
How are the subjects of reintroduction biology, translocations, assisted colonization, and similar topics now being embraced by the field of restoration ecology? Let's consider these questions and look at three "opinion" articles before you decide what your own opinion might be on the issues.
Go to the WSU eSearch library and locate the appropriate journal issue and then download the three following opinion articles:
Bowman, D.M. et al. 2017. Renewal ecology: conservation for the Anthropocene. Restoration Ecology 25(5):674-680.
Thomas, C.D. 2011. Translocation of species, climate change, and the end of trying to recreate past ecological communities. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 26(5):216-221.
Ricciardi, A. and D. Simberloff. 2009. Assisted colonization is not a viable conservation strategy. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 24(5):248-253.
Read these three articles carefully, then consider the following questions and issues:
1) From Bowman et al. Renewal Ecology:
What suggestions for renewal ecology given by Bowman et al. (2017) do you think are feasible and realistic, and which might be pie-in-the-sky or wishful thinking? Basically, do you agree or disagree with Bowman et al. (2017), and why?
2) Carefully read and compare the Thomas article advocating for selected Species Translocations, and the Ricciardi and Simberloff article arguing against assisted colonization:
After comparing the two arguments, what is your assessment of whether we should open the door to translocations and assisted colonization, or whether we should not, and continue being cautious?
When formulating your opinion, consider the projected time frame of climate change and the apparent time frames of species extinctions and loss of local populations.
Now after developing and stating your opinion, do you think that the escape of farmed Atlantic salmon in Washington in 2017 is a big deal or not? See: Environmental Nightmare. Should mixing and matching species be fine and nothing to worry about?
Post your answers and thoughts on these questions by using the comments link below this post.
Due Date: Friday Oct. 30