Treesearch
Military maneuvers and biodiversity: strange arrangements in southern California.
| Authors: | Sally Duncan |
| Year: | 1998 |
| Type: | Science Findings |
| Station: | Pacific Northwest Research Station |
| Source: | Science Findings. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. December (10): 1-5 |
Download (PDF 2.15 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/4674.pdf
Abstract
How can we maintain biodiversity as human population levels continue to increase at a rapid rate? This issue of Science Findings focuses on southern California, one of the richest areas of biodiversity in the country, and home of 1.5 million people. Pacific Northwest Research scientist Ross Kiester, in conjunction with a cooperative research agreement with Harvard University, developed six models to illustrate how development might impact the area. Kiester's approach was this: rather than focusing on how to keep people out to save biodiversity, how can we keep people in the area with the least amount of biological damage?Kiester's alternative futures range from "currently expected" (based on current housing plans of a three-county area in California) to "highly unusual" (encouraging development in a single area and away from sites critical for biodiversity).
The study acknowledges that all scenarios may have a negative bearing on biodiversity. Kiester believes we should instead look to improve current development plans, seek alternatives to accommodate population growth and biodiversity, and then determine at what scale such alternatives should be considered.
The study concludes that options for the maintenance of biodiversity will be used up by 2010. Either biodiversity will be preserved by then or it will not.