The Precautionary Principle

The precautionary principle is: Actions should be taken to prevent damage to the environment even in cases where there is no absolute proof of a causal link between emissions or activity and detrimental environmental effect. Embedded in this is the notion that there should be a reversal of the “burden of proof” whereby the onus is now on the operator to prove that his action will not cause harm rather than on the environment to prove that harm (is occurring or) will occur.

Translation: Even if you don't know something will hurt the environment, you should take steps to prevent something like that from happening. It is our responsibility to show that what we do will not hurt the environment, rather than wait for the environment to show that it was harmed.

Do you accept or reject the precautionary principle? In other words, should those who wish to introduce a new chemical, a new industrial process, a land-use change, and so on, have to demonstrate that their change will not harm the environment before proceeding? Explain and defend your answer.

Our Water

Our class recently tested some local water samples - both potable (drinkable) water and water from natural sources like lakes. We would like to share our results with you here. Each sample was tested for pH (is the water acidic or basic, or hopefully neutral?), chlorine, ammonia-nitrogen (related to fertilizer pollution), salinity (salt content, which is bad for plants), turbidity (sediment content) and detergent (a product of waste water runoff).

A Culture of Pollution

A lot of our everyday, "civilized" existence generates pollution; this includes things from running a car to using electricity to throwing away packaging from something that you buy.  Do you think that people, in general, are willing to make changes in their lifestyles to reduce pollution?  What could convince them to do so?  What changes would you be willing to make in your own lifestyle?

Rosa Multiflora

Rosa Muliflora:
Rosa multiflora is native range is Japan, Korea and eastern China. They are invasive plants because they form impenetrable thickt that don't allow the native plants to develop. This plant was first introduced in the U.S. in 1866 from Japan and can easily invade open woodlands, forest edges, successional fields and savannas. The Rosa Multiflora is all around the East of the U.S; the only place that Rosa multiflora is not found is in the Rocky Mountains,the south eastern and deserts of California and Nevada. This plant has tolerance for various soil, moisture and light conditions. This plan is bad in NJ because when the birds eat the pulp of the fruit they dropp the seeds, and these seeds rapidly grow and become thick and the only thing that can penetrate them is bulldozers.This plant can be dangerous to us humans but is not dangerous for some wild species like grouse, wild turkeys, cedar waxwings and robins. The leaves and hips are consumed by chipmunks, white-tailed deer, black bears, mice and more. In my opinion Rosa multiflora should be regulated because they are dangerous to us but wild species depend on them,they can reproduce really fast they produce a million seeds a year so when the governement starts to see that there are a lot of them the governemnt should kill some of them that way they wont be that dangerous to us humans and the wild animals can still depend on them.

Sources:

http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/romu1.htm
http://njaes.rutgers.edu/weeds/weed.asp?multiflorarose
http://magblog.audubon.org/praise-multiflora-rose

 

 

Invasive Species

Invasive Plants

The purple loose strife was introduced in the United States through European immigration in the 1890’s and made the wet lands of North America its new home. Although it has some ornamental and medicinal uses (cure diarrhea, dysentery), it is threatening to the natives of the wetlands of North America and it targets both the fauna and the flora. The purple loose strife impedes the natural floods of the wetlands and in some cases it even stops the flow of water causing the death of the native plants that are indispensable for the survivals of herbivorous species of those areas. Purple loosestrife enjoys an extended flowering season, generally from June to September, which allows it to produce vast quantities of seed. The flowers require pollination by insects, for which it supplies an abundant source of nectar. A mature plant may have as many as thirty flowering stems capable of producing an estimated two to three million, minute seeds per year. Until now, there are no effective ways of reducing the threat of the purple loose strife other than the use of pesticides which ends up harming the soil. 

Sources:  http://www.invasiveplants.net/plants/purpleloosestrife.htm

Japanese Stiltgrass

​The Japanese stiltgrass is an annual grass with a wide range of habitat. It begins to appear during early spring and grows throughout the summer up to three feet. The leaves are a light green shade and can be up to three inches long. The reason they are a threat is because they are able to adapt in low light conditions. It threatens native plants and natural habitats that are located in moist and dark areas. White tailed deer make the invasion of the stiltgrass easier because they feed off the native plants so then the stiltgrass could take over. The stiltgrass could also impact other plants by changing the soil chemistry and shading other plants. An effective way of terminating the weed is by using a product called Roundup Pro. Work Cited http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/mivi1.htm

Emerald Ash Borer

The Emerald Ash Borer is an exotic beetle that was discovered in Michigan in 2002. The adult beetles are a minor problem because the only thing they do is nibble on ash foliage. The baby beetles while in their larval stage are the real problem. The larva eat the inner bark of ash trees, and prevent the tree from transporting water and nutrients. Like other invasive species, the Emerald Ash Borer more than likely arrived from cargo coming into the United States from overseas in Asia. The Emerald Ash Borer is slowly spreading and reached New Jersey in 2009. These beetles cause millions of dollars in damages.

Hole left by the Emerald Ash Borer

Source: http://www.emeraldashborer.info/

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

The Woolly Adelgid is a bug native to East Asia. It feeds by sucking sap from Hemlock trees. In the US it poses a big threat to Eastern and Carolina Hemlock trees. It was accidentally introduced to the US in 1924. It is now established in 11 different states and causes widespread death of the Hemlock trees. It can be identified by its egg sacks which look like cotton balls hanging off the Hemlock trees' branches. When it feeds it sucks the sap from the trees and also injects a toxin which weakens the trees and causes it not to produce anything. If a tree would survive the infestation it would die due to a secondary cause because it would be greatly weakened by the Woolly Adelgid. If we didn't take steps to stop them, like inspecting homeowners and nurseries hemlock seedlings or trees from adelgid-infested states into any other state without an inspection permit certifying they are pest-free, New Jersey's Hemlock trees would be in trouble and who knows how that would affect us and our ecosystem. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woolly_adelgid, http://www.northgeorgia.edu/uploadedImages/Centers_and_Programs/Environmental_Leadership_Center/Info/HWA.jpg, http://greenindustry.uwex.edu/diagnostics/images/Adelges_tsugae1.jpg

Invasive Plants

Many native Japanese plants are extremely popular in American landscaping (examples are the Japanese maple, honeysuckle, and barberry).  However, these plants - particularly the last two mentioned - are highly invasive and push out native vegetation.  Should the sale of these plants be banned?  Defend your position.

Deer Culls in New Jersey

Garret Mountain, in Passaic County, has an unsustainably large deer population.  The animals have virtually destroyed the forest understory, and often migrate onto local highways.  However, efforts to have a deer cull are met with resistance by local residents.  Create a list of the pros and cons of a deer cull.  Then, state your position on whether or not you support the cull, and explain why.

The Precautionary Principle

The precautionary principle is: Actions should be taken to prevent damage to the environment even in cases where there is no absolute proof of a causal link between emissions or activity and detrimental environmental effect. Embedded in this is the notion that there should be a reversal of the “burden of proof” whereby the onus is now on the operator to prove that his action will not cause harm rather than on the environment to prove that harm (is occurring or) will occur.

Translation: Even if you don't know something will hurt the environment, you should take steps to prevent something like that from happening. It is our responsibility to show that what we do will not hurt the environment, rather than wait for the environment to show that it was harmed.

Do you accept or reject the precautionary principle? In other words, should those who wish to introduce a new chemical, a new industrial process, a land-use change, and so on, have to demonstrate that their change will not harm the environment before proceeding? Explain and defend your answer.