Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Green on Red: Cuba and the Green Revolution
One could quibble with the selective misquoting of Amnesty and the usual 1-week tourist misperception stuff here but the fault may lie as much with the Irish Times' historical editorial antagonism towards Cuba as with the brevity of the writers visit, but the overall message communicates much about the Revolution and its deeply engrained green credentials. Cuba is not the only country on the planet developing sustainably by accident, or even because of the isolation imposed by the US blockade - Cuba is green because it is revolutionary to be green. Sooner or later the rest of us will wake up and smell the organic coffee.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Some Birds Can Survive in Agricultural Areas with Limited Habitat
Some tropical forest birds can survive alongside humans if given a helping hand, according to a recent study by Cagan H. Sekercioglu, senior scientist at the Stanford University Center for Conservation Biology. The results, published in the April 2007 issue of the journal Conservation Biology, could influence the way countries approach endangered species protection in agricultural areas, Sekercioglu said. "Even modest restoration efforts can increase their land cover and help some forest birds more than you would think," he said.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Restoration Ecology & the 'Field of Dreams'
Several restoration ecologists I have recently met have referred to the ‘Field of Dreams’ hypothesis in relation to biodiversity conservation. This is the notion that you can rebuild or reestablish a natural biodiversity reserve by replanting trees and so on whence the natural ecosystem will reestablish itself as organisms naturally re-colonize leading to ‘normal’ community structure and biological function. The ecologists counter that habitats will not reestablish because crucial ingredients are omitted from the reestablished mix so that key features of an ecosystem are irreversibly lost.
Monday, May 07, 2007
Canada: Trent University, Fleming College Launches Ecological Restoration Program
Responding to growing global environmental concerns, a new joint Trent University and Fleming College program aims to prepare students for a career in ecological restoration. The ecological restoration bachelor of science program, announced Wednesday at Trent's Bata Library, will be a four-year, joint degree/diploma that will work with the Fleming College's School of Environmental and Natural Resource Science.
