Human's don't have to ruin EVERYTHING!

Tryjanowsky, P., Sparks, T.H., Jerzak, L., Rosin, Z.M., Skorka, P. 2013. A paradox for conservation: electricity pylons may benefit avian diversity in intensive farmland. Conservation Letters.

Available online:

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/conl.12022/abstract;jsessionid=33E7AA9B53D37C9F731A9DAE75BC913D.d01t01

Humans don’t have to ruin EVERYTHING!

Over most of the semester, the feeling in the class has been, well if we didn’t screw it up in the first place, we would not have to fix it! Here is a case that shows that our development isn’t necessarily negative for every species.

Just this year, scientists in Poland did a study to show how bird biodiversity was impacted in areas near power lines. These giant power poles, also called pylons, are thought to be an ugly human interference, that get in the way of the natural beauty. In 2011, these Polish scientists did a study to determine if this was actually so. 

During the study, Tryjanowski et al. Counted nesting bird populations twice in 2011under pylons, under electricity high-voltage power-lines and in adjacent open fields. Both species number and bird abundance were significantly higher under pylons and under power lines at control points than in open fields. This could be because the birds prefer the habitat that has been altered by humans around these sites. Some bird species also use the poles themselves as nesting structures, or song posts. Bird abundance was even higher in areas around the pylons where the vegetation was allowed to develop into shrubs.

Although we typically associate human behaviour with destruction – destroying everything in our paths – this case demonstrates that sometimes man made structures are actually beneficial to wildlife. (Even if this may not be intentional!)

So there you go, not all of the repercussions for our consumerist needs are destructive! 

Word Count: 300

An ethical dillema: Power or the People?

Review of:

Fearnside, P.M. 2006. Dams in the Amazon: Belo Monte and Brazil’s Hydroelectric Development of the Xingu River Basin. Environmental Management. Available online at: http://www.internationalrivers.org/files/attachedfiles/belo_monte_dec_making_em_01136.pdf

As most of you will know, Brazil is a country that holds a special place in my heart. Having spent more than 9 months collectively there in the last 4 years, it is a country that I would be proud to call my second home.

            Brazil, like most countries, faces the common dilemma as to whether to continue to expand and develop at a rapid rate, or whether to put a stop to development in order to preserve its natural beauty and its immense biodiversity. Unfortunately, like most countries, economics typically wins out over conservation.

            In order to sustain such a rapidly growing country that depends so heavily on industries such as aluminum manufacturing plants, vast amounts of energy are required. In 1998, before the environmental assessment was finished, the building of a huge hydroelectric dam in the Brazilian Amazon’s Indigenous land began. Often times conservation topics are also very controversial political topics as well. According to Brazilian law, before anything can be done in the development of indigenous land, it first must go through a vote from all of the National representatives. After years of this dam waiting in limbo, the dam was suddenly approved with little to no public knowledge. The Belo Monte Dam has been shut down and ceased operations several times since construction began but is now being built at full steam after Brazil began putting electricity rations on their citizens in 2001. 

            Although Brazil does need the extra electricity that would be generated by the dam, the impact suffered by the Amazon would be devastating. The Belo Monte Dam by itself would have a small reservoir area or 440 km², but the upstream Altamira Dam that would regulate the flow of the Xingu River would flood 6,140 km² of the Amazon, part of which is in a provincial park. That amount of flood land required to sustain such a massive Dam would account for 3% of the Brazilian Amazon forest. 

            As we know from previous classes, the Brazilian Amazon houses intense biodiversity, and needs to be protected. Issues such as this one are faced every day from countries that need to decide what really is best for the country – protection or expansion. And as we all know, money makes the world go ‘round.

A picture of me in Brazil, hanging out with some Capibaras to lighten the mood!

Word Count: 403

And because I didn't delve into the impact of locals, watch this! And... sorry for the depressing post!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0N9ECWCmOE