"Wisdom begins in wonder" – Socrates
Category: Ecology
Environmental Impact Assessments
11/04/24
“How can we evaluate the environmental impacts of projects?”
Governments and institutions carry out construction projects. These are bound to have environmental impacts. The scale of these impacts can be measured through Environmental Impact Assessments, where professionals review the impacts of all possible projects compared to doing nothing at all.
Why Recently Restored Wetlands Do Not Offer as Much Ecosystem Services as Older Wetlands
11/02/24
“Why don’t recently restored wetlands offer as much ecosystem services as older wetlands?”
Restoring wetlands helps environments recover from the ravages of industrialization. However, these zones are less ecologically developed than older wetlands given that the latter have been operating continuously for upwards of millions of years. This is Why Recently Restored Wetlands Do Not Offer as Much Ecosystem Services as Older Wetlands.
Ecological Succession
11/01/24
“What governs how a species changes after a large change in their environment?”
Species adapt to environmental changes. When there is a large change in the environment, there will be a series of changes in the species organization called Ecological Succession.
Ecotones
10/31/24
“What is the transition zone between two ecological communities?”
There are different ecosystem types all over the world, from forests to grasslands to tundras. But how does one ecosystem type transition from one to another? Well, there might be a transition called an Ecotone. Ecotones can be either sudden or gradual.
Coastal Plain Estuaries
10/30/24
“How are coastal plain estuaries formed?”
Coastal river valleys connect rivers to the ocean. These valleys become submerged and become Coastal Plain Estuaries when the sea level rises. These estuaries are typically wedge-shaped with a narrow inlet to the ocean.
Estuaries
10/29/24
“What are Estuaries?”
Water shapes land masses in all types of ways. Sometimes a partially enclosed body of water by the ocean mixes salt water with freshwater from rivers and streams. This forms something called an Estuary, which are some of the most peculiar spaces of brackish water.
How to Daylight a Stream
10/28/24
“How do we restore a buried stream?”
People bury streams for a variety of reasons. This can cause flooding issues and habitat destruction. Later, people may want to restore the stream. Restoring, or daylighting a stream can be accomplished by removing artificial impediments like pavements and culverts, recreating the former ecosystem, and applying maintenance techniques. This is How to Daylight a Stream.
Ecosystem Improvement Compensation
10/27/24
“How can we compensate people for improving ecosystems?”
Ecosystem services monetarily quantify the value an ecosystem provides. If someone improves an ecosystem, then under this framework they theoretically raise the ecosystem value. Some governments may want to implement Ecosystem Improvement Compensation by paying people who make ecosystems better.
Why Cities Bury Streams
10/24/24
“Why do cities bury streams?”
Cities often develop by streams. But sometimes they see these streams as a nuisance since they flood and block “developable” space. This is Why Cities Bury Streams.
