I have a vendetta against new subdivisions. I know that is is logically unsound because new housing and growth are very important to a healthy economy in our country. Many developers now try to incorporate more natural elements into their creations such as an empty lot at the end of a cul-de-sac or avoinding clear-cutting of timber and instead building houses "within" the forest. These innovations in suburban planning are all well and good, but it is still important to have large areas of undisturbed land. Simply building a road or a path through a previously undeveloped area can have radical consequences for the area flora and fauna. The first change is usually the presence of adventive, non-native, and often invasive plants. Even the slightest disturbance gives them a competitive edge in areas like medians, ditches, and power-line right-of-ways. Roads, especially highways also impede normal dispersal of terrestrial vertebrates and cause increased mortality for birds and animals. Dispersal is crucial to maintaining healthy populations. Regretfully, George Bush has "back-tracked" on many on the Clintonian environmental achievements. He has voiced his support for a relaxation of the moratorium on roads and development in certain formerly pristine areas. It's likely that President Bush's intentions are noble, but science clearly shows the deleterious effect of development on natural flora and fauna. Timber-cutting is a slightly different situation in my view. The most diverse areas (species numbers, variety, and uniqueness) are often mid-successional habitats. That said I think we should strive for a balance that includes old-growth forest, mid-succesional, and pioneer communities, and not placate to some evironmentalists that are ostensibly saving the forests in the only way possible: sabbatoging timber-harvesting equipment! Selective harvesting of timber can be at peace with a healthy post-European Settlement environment in my opinion.
The environment is so freaking messed up; is it even worth bothering anymore? Yes! I just read somewhere that all the species present in Yellowstone Park around the time of settlement are still there now. If there's one thing I've realized it is certainly that Earth has a remarkable capacity to return to its natural state, or "the way things are supposed to be" as I gingerly imagine. I am especially hopeful that modern genetic and biotechnological engineering will allow up to destroy certain invasive species that have severely degraded ecosystems. I'm also hopeful that "smart and green" development will catch on. People and organizations often list the biggest threats to wildlife and among the top items are usually invasive species, development/habitat loss, and global climate change. We need to move fast and it has to start somewhere, so I urge everyone to accept nothing less than environmentally friendly fuel, food, housing, and everything else whenever possible. Hopefully the next generation of politicos and power-brokers will be more scupulous if not sentimental when considering the future of the United States and the Earth.
