Goodall

"Before I left Sudbury, I had the joy of releasing a brook trout into the clean water of a stream that had, until recently, been dank, poisoned, lifeless." -Pg. 165

Reading this quote I pictured a grey lifeless area that magically turned to color as soon as the brook trout was released. It's a beautiful thing to look at a positive change that was once thought to be impossible to do. This story of Sudbury, Ontario shows how logging and industrial pollution can degrade the biodiversity of life. From the producers to the consumers, there was a destruction that was not reversible until one person decided to make the change. This shows how powerful an individual can be with regards of change. This example can show others that they should not be afraid to try and change the ecosystem for the better. It is hard to change towards an eco-friendly life but in the long run it shows that it does change things. Therefore, one should change certain ways so they do not deplete their ecosystem just like the case in Ontario.

http://www.themiraclejournal.com/2011/08/06/shifting-to-a-new-space/

"And there is hope for wildlife, too. It was decided from the start that there should be clear distinction between land designated for human use, and land that would be most valuable set aside to ensure, for example, protection of the watershed, soil stability, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity." -Pg. 169

The theory of setting aside land for both human use and the natural ecosystem is a great proposal. When planning land for human use and biodiversity the consideration of population increase should be considered. For instance, if we have land for human use and then the population expands then we would take the land that was once set aside for biodiversity. Therefore, the proposal of population control is something that should be taken under consideration. This does not mean to prohibit someone from pregnancy, but educate both men and women about family planning and show them ways to protect themselves if they do not wish to have a child. This is just like the following section that speaks about The Importance of Women. However, just because we show them does not mean that we ourselves should not follow the same tasks. At the end it comes down to stability and balancing everything out. So as a population we should take these precautions.

http://conservationbytes.com/2013/12/16/work-life-balance-can-academics-achieve-it/

"And," I said, "we must remember to thank the chimps. It was because of them that I came to Tanzania--and see what it has all led to!" -Pg. 172

It's incredible that the unknown has a journey that is thought to be intended for something else. Goodall would have never thought that this random project would have brought her to save the villages that were in dire need of help. She went there because of the chimps and she resulted with assisting villages. Who would have known that this would have transformed her life. Her journey was thought to be only assisting chimps but she performed something more grand than that. Therefore, we should learn that just because we want something to happen does not mean that destiny will play the same role. At times, we just have to go with our instinct and help with our first instinct.  Don't hold yourself back because sometimes your journey is meant to be something that you never thought would happen.

http://authorjenniferchase.com/2012/02/01/taking-the-journey-down-the-green-path/

Carson

“Then foxes barked in the hills and deer silently crossed the fields, half hidden in the mists of the fall mornings.” –Pg. 150

As I read this quote I pictured this scene and began to think about this beautiful scenery. Being a nature girl, I thought about how beautiful the surroundings appear and the sounds of purity fill the vast air. This scenery is not like the beach locations that surround Florida. This type of environment is located in the northern parts of Florida. It’s amazing to recognize the different types of ecosystems and how they each play the same role in one’s life. I say this because no matter where one may be located one feels the tranquility around them. The natural surroundings allow one to get away from the chaos and all of the network communications. Therefore, this gives the opportunity to be free and feel peace by the soothing sounds of nature. For instance, the cricket sounds, birds chirping, and the sound of the wind brushing in between the leaves. As well as feeling the air brush across one’s face and feeling the rays from the sunlight hit their skin. All of these sounds are like paradise and it is. It is located all around us and we should take advantage of it.

http://www.lbah.com/word/northern-michigan-wildlife/

“As Albert Schweitzer has said, “Man can hardly even recognize the devils of his own creation.” –Pg. 154

I have placed a lot of thought into the quote and it makes complete sense of our actions. As humans, we have the power to act according to what we think is best. Various times we are caught up in trying to act in the correct way and do not see the negative outcomes that may be taking place. It is an instinct for us to take care of what we love and treasure. Therefore, if it is threatened by anything our response is to protect it. For instance, a farmer loves his or her crops and will do anything to protect it. So if they have an infestation of pesticides they will act by killing off the pesticides. The pesticides will be killed but then they may become immune to the toxins which will lead to the farmer using higher doses. These chemicals would cause damage to other living organisms or may even leak into the aquifers. Hence, we do not notice that we are damaging ourselves in the long run. Once we notice that damages we do not take fault or we try to blame it on something else. Essentially I am trying to say that we need to realize what we are doing and take responsibility of our actions. It is something that will help in the long run and cause less damage.

http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-the-epa-stop-letting-pesticides-kill-honey-bees

“We train ecologists in our universities and even employ them in our governmental agencies but we seldom take their advice.” –Pg. 159

We seldom to take the advice of people who we train, because we prefer to go with our own beliefs. In order for us to completely understand this we must realize what we do ourselves. It is a process that involves two people to listen and to take each other’s advice. However, it is not mandatory for us to take the advice that is given. Even though it is not mandatory I feel like we should listen to the advice, because it may trigger another thought. The trigger could result in the ability to find distinct ways to approach the situation. However, I do not understand why one would not consider the advice that was given. Majority of ecologist have been taught by ecologists themselves and they do not take the advice that is given. It sounds redundant since they do not listen to the advice but yet they were the ones who are giving it. Therefore, one should listen and consider the advice so it can help in the long run. 

http://ninapaley.com/mimiandeunice/category/advice/

Shiva

“Biodiversity means the diversity of life—the richest diversity of life forms on our beautiful planet.” –Pg. 38

Biodiversity is the key that fits our whole planet together. Every species, action, and natural resource allows everything to come together and work as one. This unity is so fragile that with one simple change it will affect everything. It’s like a game of jenga. If one moves the wrong piece everything will tumble down, but the removal of a correct piece will allow stability. However, if one takes a step back and they open their eyes to the natural beauty that surrounds them it is incredible. The various colors of plants, animals, and natural resources are exquisite and nothing like it. For instance, there are various landscapes in the world that seem to be surreal. Examples of these landscapes are the Tunnel of Love in Ukraine, Antelope Canyon in Arizona, or the Japanese maple. All of these are gorgeous and to know that they arose from biodiversity is amazing.

http://www.naturepicoftheday.com/archive/2008-11-05

”Native Americans refer to other species as brothers and sisters.” –Pg. 40

Native Americans have been known for caring about their ecosystem as if it were a part of their family. This quote reminded me of the book A Land Remembered, because of the character Keith Tiger. Keith would take care of his land by not overusing his resources. Therefore, he would not deplete the natural resources around him. If it were a family member it is essentially the same concept. A family member is there when assistance is needed, however if one takes advantage of the member then he or she will no longer assist you. In regards with the species, if one uses it then their numbers will drop and cause possible extinction- in this case the species will no longer be able to assist one due to the possible extinction. Hence, one should not take advantage of the resources.

http://electronicvillage.blogspot.com/2010/09/wordless-wednesday-dinosaur-senior.html

“The extinction of a species means not just the loss of that particular species, but also a threat to the other species that are supported by it through ecological processes.” –Pg. 45

As I read further on from the quote a remembered our class discussion of the ecological pyramid. Our discussion involved the importance of each level and the affects of losing a level. Not only that, but we also discussed how the pyramid today seems like it is upside down due to overpopulation. It’s amazing to think that overpopulation can damage our ecosystem. As a growing population, we have been damaging certain levels of this pyramid which has caused a change in other populations. For instance, as mentioned in the reading microorganisms have been underestimated. As the higher species we have had the ability to kill some of these microorganisms, but in reality are we killing them or making them stronger. See, with one tiny microorganism we can become sick or even die due to its viral abilities. However, some microorganisms have the ability to treat us back to good health. This being said, who is the species that threatens? Neither, would be the answer because they all come in unison to live and support one another. Therefore, we should try to conserve species by letting them do as they have been for the past hundred years. We should allow them to live because as soon as we start to deplete a species we begin to alter the ecological pyramid. The alteration of the ecological pyramid could lead to a depletion of our species. 

http://www.googleplussuomi.com/timelinetest.php?googleid=109783903175191665261&limit=800