ALBERTA’S CARIBOU HABITAT BEYOND REPAIR – TOPS DEVASTATION OF BRAZILIAN DEFORESTATION
Alberta’s Caribou Habitat Beyond Repair –
Tops Devastation of Brazilian Deforestation
Tops Devastation of Brazilian Deforestation
Hinton, Alberta – The foothills of Northwest Alberta are being studied by scientists in a three year long research project to determine how to best restore
the environment for the caribou. It is part of the government’s efforts to produce “sustainable” environments that allow for economic growth while still preserving the area for the existing caribou. Thus far, the research team has completed their first year of study and the preliminary results are neither pretty nor flattering. To put it bluntly, one conclusion is that the devastation of human development has exceeded that which is being done by Brazil in the Amazon rain forest. Likening this G7 nation to the environmental disregard of a third world nation paints a dire picture.
the environment for the caribou. It is part of the government’s efforts to produce “sustainable” environments that allow for economic growth while still preserving the area for the existing caribou. Thus far, the research team has completed their first year of study and the preliminary results are neither pretty nor flattering. To put it bluntly, one conclusion is that the devastation of human development has exceeded that which is being done by Brazil in the Amazon rain forest. Likening this G7 nation to the environmental disregard of a third world nation paints a dire picture.
One biologists with the Foothills ResearchInstitute stated that the area looks untouched when seen from the highway. What is easily visible are boreal forests and pristine nature. However, once the back roads are taken, the view is the complete opposite with seismic lines, gravel and access roads, deforestation, and well pads dominating the landscape. Within the 13,000 square kilometres impact area being studied, there are a total of 16,000 kilometres of seismic lines. While the government targets specify 65% of the land is to remain in pristine condition for the la Peche and Little Smoky caribou herds, the truth is that the herds only have 5% of the land undisturbed.
Institute stated that the area looks untouched when seen from the highway. What is easily visible are boreal forests and pristine nature. However, once the back roads are taken, the view is the complete opposite with seismic lines, gravel and access roads, deforestation, and well pads dominating the landscape. Within the 13,000 square kilometres impact area being studied, there are a total of 16,000 kilometres of seismic lines. While the government targets specify 65% of the land is to remain in pristine condition for the la Peche and Little Smoky caribou herds, the truth is that the herds only have 5% of the land undisturbed.
Caribou are loathe to come within 0.5 km of a seismic line. This means that seismic lines have an effectivewidth of 1 full kilometer for the purposes of the Caribou. Further complication matters is that it takes Mother Nature 70 years to undo the damage of a seismic line. Snowmobile use also causes further damage to the environment. The reality is that after one year of research, the team is exasperated at the daunting challenge ahead of them to repair an environment after human development has decimated it.
width of 1 full kilometer for the purposes of the Caribou. Further complication matters is that it takes Mother Nature 70 years to undo the damage of a seismic line. Snowmobile use also causes further damage to the environment. The reality is that after one year of research, the team is exasperated at the daunting challenge ahead of them to repair an environment after human development has decimated it.
Reference:
http://news.ca.msn.com/top-stories/caribou-habitat-in-alberta-ravaged-beyond-repair-5
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment