Researchers rethink 'natural' habitat for wildlife

[longknife]

Date: April 18, 2014, Source: Stanford University

Summary:
Protecting wildlife while feeding a world population predicted to reach nine billion by 2050 will require a holistic approach to conservation that considers human-altered landscapes such as farmland, according to researchers. A new study finds that a long-accepted theory used to estimate extinction rates, predict ecological risk and make conservation policy recommendations is overly pessimistic. The researchers point to an alternative framework that promises a more effective way of accounting for human-altered landscapes and assessing ecological risks.

Mountain lions roaming in Southern California backyards. Coyotes scavenging for food in Las Vegas Neighborhoods. Bears in trash cans on Long Island. Raccoons chasing pets outside Atlanta.

We could cite hundreds of examples but it's all a case of “wildlife” finding out how to co-exists with Humanity that is taking away their natural habitat.

 

[flacaltenn]

The folks who recognized this a long time ago are doing wonderful work.. Like the Nature Conservancy. They live in the REAL world of land use and environmentalism and try to make the best of a situation. Often working WITH landowners, government, and science to carve out livable habitat and manage it properly.

If you preserve enough commons and open space to host ALL native species in some fashion -- you can link that land thru corridors and easements. COOPERATION works better than Threats as well..

 

[elektra]

less than 3% of the earth is urbanized, the animals have plenty of land.

Mountain Lion Populations are thriving, pushing younger Cougars out of territory controlled by older stronger Cougars, pushing the younger Cougars closer to civilization. More hunting should be allowed.

Populations of all wild animals in the USA are thriving.

 

[Mr. H.]

Holy shit, we have a new breed of apologists for the agriculture industry.

How is it that the Lesser Prairie Chicken can still hold up multi-billion dollar oil and natural gas ventures?

 

[Mr. H.]

"Feeding a world population" would literally be impossible were it not for hydrocarbons.

The researchers point to an alternative framework that promises a more effective way of accounting for human-altered landscapes and assessing ecological risks.

Does this "alternative framework" also apply to hydrocarbon exploration, production, refining, transportation, and marketing?

 

[flacaltenn]

"Feeding a world population" would literally be impossible were it not for hydrocarbons.

The researchers point to an alternative framework that promises a more effective way of accounting for human-altered landscapes and assessing ecological risks.

Does this "alternative framework" also apply to hydrocarbon exploration, production, refining, transportation, and marketing?

Hot damn Mr. H.. --- I believe it SHOULD !!! Maybe we'll find that those caribou LIKE the local heating of an oil pipeline.. Or that Florida manatees prefer to spend the winter in the warm water outlets of power plants.. Or that bears like to scratch their asses on power poles. Or that Eagles actually live longer in the presence of wind farms... OK --- scratch that last one.. I went too far...