HOW WOULD YOU SUMMARIZE THIS TOPIC WITH ALL THE QUESTIONS THAT WERE ANSWERED ALR
ID: 174543 • Letter: H
Question
HOW WOULD YOU SUMMARIZE THIS TOPIC WITH ALL THE QUESTIONS THAT WERE ANSWERED ALREADY? PLEASE USE 350 WORDS!
I have no idea whom the moderator is this week as I know we change every week the moderator and last week it was me! so I guess I will begin this since I do want to get my points. Please if anyone else will like to join me in this discussion feel free.
So the assignment this week is to examine the different land uses that abut the protected areas in the scenario we are working on, In our case is Snow Pact. Which one might have the greatest likelihood to cause an edge effect? Which ones may have the least likelihood? Which species are most likely to be affected and why? What management steps might you take to minimize these effect?
As I first looked at the map of Snow Pact the first areas that grabbed my attention was the area of Henry State Park, which are 3, and are located within private forest land. They look like 3 islands in a vast sea. The other area that I will look at is the Red cliffs escarpment specially the cliffs and how it is being utilized by humans. The ciguena marsh and the snow river itself seem areas that need our attention as they are located in the middle of the city.
The species that we are concerned with and that live within this habitat are:
The Marten - which originally requires a home range of 2-3 square miles, they were abundant in the Snow river watershed above Red cliff and a study shows that they can live well in the Henry state Parks.
The Big eared Bat- Which is found currently in the caves located in kachina arch and Bluff Canyon. This creatures need caves that are maternal (like a nursery) and bachelors. There is a section of Karma that could be used for these bats.
The Snow River Cutter- home to bluestone cutthroat which is abundant in the upper reaches of the South and the MiddleCreeks above Pine Lakes, they like colder water.
There are other species of insects and plants that are an important part of the ecosystem in here but in order to save some time and hopefully get others to join in this conversation I will like to discuss the Henry State Parks and the Red cliffs as there is plenty to say about this areas.
The Henry's have areas of 3000, 5000, and 8000 acres. They are highly developed with campgrounds, roads, trails and so on. They are not being managed well. My concern with this area is that I believe this area has a mayor problem with edge effect as they are sorrounded by private land to which the officials will have no access to. This area is heavily used by humans and is not managed well. It is also the area were we could potentially have the marteens in. Considering that the marteens need about 2-3 square miles per mating pair that would mean that in the area of 3000 square feet whcih equals to 4.688 miles you could have two pairs of marteens. in the area that is 5000 acres there could be 3 pairs maybe 4 if they do well. and in the area that is 8000 acres 5 to 6 pairs could be placed in here. This is still a small area for these creatures and again we go back to the issue of genetic diversity and how we deal with that?
Several communities inhabit the snow river ecosystem. The land is home to a famous landmark namely Kachina Arch that has been used as a recreational tool in most calendars and memorabilias. The area also hosts natural vegetation and has a forest that boosts the area's ecosystem. Apart from being a human habitat, there are many caves in adjoining areas that are ecological habitats that are mainly used by bats (Meffe et. al 2012). Habitat fragmentation may lead to edge effects that may cause problems in the area as edge sensitive species are influenced by human factors and abiotic factors that are mostly related to habitat edges. The watershed area is a potential area for edge effects with the forested habitat prone to logging, farming and development by property developers. The pine lake area may also suffer from edge effects, and the lake is used to support the adjacent ecosystem and is a fishery.
Human activity that includes irrigation and farming may adversely affect the lake. The cave areas in the red cliff is another aspect that may suffer from edge effects. The big-eared bats especially females have been disturbed by human activities that include rock climbing and excessive visitation. The mountain meadow and the Red Cliff escarpments are unlikely to suffer from edge effects as well as the wetland in the freshwater marshes are unlikely to suffer from edge effects. The species that will be affected by the edge effects include the big-eared bat and the fish in the lake due to the human activities in the area. A forest management strategy that includes spatial zoning and development will enable the efficient management of forested areas to reduce human conflict and biodiversity.
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To focus on the Henry State Park ( the Henrys), I would most certainly agree that they seem to be the most vulnerable to edge effects because as you stated they are isolated areas that are separated by private forestland. What is most peculiar to me is that they are referred to as one State Park yet in three isolated location, in which that in itself poses complications in terms of effective management of these areas. To support what you mentioned Maria, and as mentioned in the book, these are mostly recreational areas that have little regard for ecological concerns compared to other areas; things like the campgrounds, trails, and the roads do not help some species. The Private lands are mostly used for logging which is important because deforestation is a major cause of habitat loss for the Marteens,the species that I see would really suffer in this area. To answer one of the questions, Bluff Canyon I think would have the least possibility of being affected by the edge effect.
There are a few ideas I would have in terms of management step I would take in terms of the Henrys would be for 1) the state to buy lands to connect the parks as well as 2) put more focus of preserving the ecology of the areas which is something that is already being discussed. Connecting the parks would really help the Marteens quite a bit I think. If the state cannot purchase the lands to connect the areas of the state parks,I think the three should be managed as separate parks and concentrate efforts on each individual area and tailored management for each "island" as we have been referring them as.
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Human activities have caused a disrupt in natures equilibrium. The loss of area brings harmful effects to an ecosystem and biodiversity of species. Species-area relationship states that the higher the area of an ecosystem the greater the number of species. There are a lot of edge sensitive species (require a large range to survive and reproduce) that have been threatened by fragmentation of habitats. Red Cliff habitat has been degraded, primarily because of the excessive amount of visitors. Red cliff is an attractive place for rock climbers and naturalists. Scientist has found invasive and a reduction of birds in the area frequent by climbers. Visitors in the Red Cliff have affected the reproductive success of the Big Eared bat, this is an extraordinary sensitive species. There are three major maternal one located by Kachina Arc a highly pursue spot for rock climbers. The reason for the decreasing rate in maternal cave is unknown but is certain that fifty years ago there were about ten nurturing caves. This area has increased its popularity throughout the years.
Commercial logging activity is a direct cause of ecosystem fragmentation; it creates all types of fragmentation; perforation, and internal fragmentation. Henrys Park is fragmented, studies have suggested that birds such as the American Marten require a high range of land about 800 acres to survive and reproduce. Studies have shown that fifty percent of the eastern tract of Henry’s Park is suitable for the reproduction of the bird. Looking at the map the eastern tract is closed to Bluff Canyon and BLM (The Bureau of Land Management), Bluff Canyon is known for its preservation efforts, it encloses maternal caves that bring around many species. Edge sensitive species are affected and biodiversity is decreasing in fragmented areas.
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Edge effects are rarely considered when having the discussion of ecosystem management, because they are so difficult to avoid in the event of humans inhabiting nearby areas. Habitat fragmentation happens whenever humans encroach upon an area. Whether it be forest of desert, human contact, and the necessities of human life have a great impact on surrounding species. Abiotic effects of edging include direct effects on the environment, such as subtle changes in temperature and humidity, as well as air quality and wind speeds that creating an area for a home create. It is warmer and far more humid in dense forest, and trees provide shade and protection from strong winds that many plants require. These plants may in turn provide shelter and/or living space for many animal species in the forest. Light and sound pollution can affect what species are comfortable residing near edges of human habitats, and may be displaced, particularly with night-time landscape lights, which deter animals that are nocturnal, and rely on darkness to hunt. Intense sound pollution could affect the big-eared bat which resides in isolated caves along the Red Cliff area, because they rely on their hearing at night to hunt. These caves also become less hospitable due to the threat of loggers and farmers along the river, which further displaces the species. Pets and lawn-mowers are threatening to the American marten, which requires a wide berth to mate and feel comfortable (what with the population being so low already, these animals need all the room the can get). Although this species is less likely to be affected because of the protected area they inhabit, which is large and adequate for their population size, they still face the disturbance of hiking/walking/jogging trails. The snow river cutter is perhaps the least likely to be affected, however they may be due to the change in temperature and water quality due to farming runoff. In any case, these animals and plants are all in danger because of privately owned tracts that continue to split up and fragment the ecosystem in which they reside, which is very dangerous with every fragment that is created.
Explanation / Answer
The topic expains about the Henry state park and Redcliffs areas, their biodiversity, ecosystems and how thay are destroyed by human habitats.The Henry state park have an aresas of 3000, 5000, and 8000 acres.They are highly developed with campgrounds, roads, trials and so on. These and not managed well as they are surrounded by private lands and suffer by edge effect as the officials have no access to these areas. The big eared bats ,Martens can be grownin this area if it is maintained well. This is an isolated location and poses complications in terms of effective management.and deforestation is the major cause of habitat loss foe Marteens. Theb loss of areas brings harmful effects to ecosystems and biodiversity of species.
The other area is Red cliff area. Red cliff is an attractive place for rock climbers and naturalists. Because of climbers there is invasive and a reduction of birds in the area. Visitors in the Red Cliff have affected the reproductive success of the Big Eared bat, an extraordinary sensitive species. Because of loggers and farmers there is a threat to caves which is the residing place foer Martens and big bats. Pets and lawn-mowers are threatening to the American marten, which requires a wide berth to mate and feel comfortable. Although this species is less likely to be affected because of the protected area they inhabit, which is large and adequate for their population size, they still face the disturbance of hiking/walking/jogging trails.
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