Yes John. When we as a sentient species make major changes to the
world, we also take responsibility for dealing with the consequences.
Yes, our habitat modification has widespread impacts around the
world. More and more species are being isolated in ecological islands
by the processes of fragmentation. This increases the risks posed to
their survival by invasive species, pathogens, extreme weather,
contamination, reduced genetic diversity etc as well as fire.
When we fragment habitats, we may have to play a more active role than
we would if were simply a case of "letting nature take its course".
In situations like a major fire in the Great Sandy region, we may need
to reintroduce species to areas if there is no longer the possibility
of them doing it themselves [because we have "closed off" those areas].
More broadly, the lesson for us is that the more we modify the world,
the more we have to do to compensate for the loss of the "ecological
services" we take for granted.
Regards, Laurie.
On 02/12/2009, at 10:52 PM, John Hammond wrote:
Begin forwarded message:
From: John Hammond <>
Date: 2 December 2009 10:50:45 PM GMT+10:00
To: L&L Knight <>
Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Cooloola nat park burnt out?
Hi Laurie. Well your right mate the Heath will recover. But have we
fragmented heathlands to the point of surviving birds having nowhere
to go after a major fire?
John
On 02/12/2009, at 9:28 PM, L&L Knight <>
wrote:
I can't answer you question regarding this particular fire.
However, I would take issue with media reports that fire destroys
areas. It does not. Fire is an ecological change agent. It
doesn't destroy areas, it temporarily changes them, and in doing so,
contributes to the perpetuation of fire-loving communities.
Fire may kill plants and animals [and destroys property - which is
what many people seem to care most about], but it is essential for
the regeneration of individual species, and for heaths in general.
If there were no fires, then there would be much less habitat for
ground parrots, emu wrens and grass owls in the long run.
Regards, Laurie.
On 02/12/2009, at 7:45 PM, John Hammond wrote:
I was reading in today's paper that fire has destroyed a large area
within Fraser island and cooloola national park. Some seem to think
it's that bad that the populations of ground parrots and emu wrens
may have been almost wiped out. I've had fantastic views of both
species within the park and it would indeed be a great shame if this
fire has greatly affected one of the only reliable places to see
these birds in Queensland. I was wondering if anybody has checked up
on cooloola way? Has the grass owl sight been burnt out? Regards
John Hammond
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