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418 views28 pagesNelson Book Ch.6
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dipplays100Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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LJ Organisms
» Depend on
a Healthy
Environment
What
impacts do humans have
‘on the environment, and
what can we do to keep the
environment healthy?
__Looking Ahead ,
VOCABULAF
‘succession etction )
primary successin invasive species |
secondary succeson nave species
Deaversty steward
endangered specs Cu esac nt mccineenls
"No out tat sal oop of
‘haghs commited tas can
Words of Wisdom eo bighaee ata
rare Mess
"anki has ot woven the
Toke careofheEath and we ae. We re ut ne and
she wile cae of you" win Whatever we doo ne
fiknoun we, we doo curses. Al ings
are bound ope Al ngs eGo ott the Eat
connect from our reese, we brow
Ohi Seat Irom our en”
“Our persona consumer Hong prove
ies hae eclacl,
saci ad spit
ansueres sine
tore-namioe some of or
eel adnan tat
ander aur estes
Davis Sun
“you tate animals tay
ak wth oa ou wit
ow each at you dont
{aka them you wl ot row
{ham and wat you oat
ow yu Wl er, Wat ane
Chit Dan Gero
Tee wha contarlate
the beauty of tho Eat
reserves of stengh Bat
wil entre a ong ite
fess" yen ee ati
—Facel carson agin enue ost
ves to ees tH
wots ta
LINKING To [irae
Critical Literacy IE eas the quotes on tis page. Wark wih aparer
Crit tency i about the power of langue (rx small group to sayz and crite ech
Timvtves sing language to improve peoples es ‘ne. Yu may draw a table of cat to explin
and to qsion uname in he word Autors yur rink Allow ne coin fr aco the
‘express thee beets about the word trou tee fotbig eases:
‘wing; eaters can ane these messages by + uot
‘asking Pals uy, hows fe hom 3 tet w+ Logi ow opiate quote? Does make
‘write. Thereader cn ao look o see whose pont ct sane)
‘ews epesents, and whose point of viens silent.» Accuracy (How acute is the quote?)
+ es (Des te aot supra pean or goup
‘ere at note? Whee vice ot het)
eee
‘a7 The Dynamics of Nature:
Succession
Have you ever noticed grasses or other plants growing in a vacant lot
(Figure 1)? Eventually bushes and trees will begin te grovs, and animals
will make their homes in the lot. Over time, ecosystems change.
‘Ecological succession isthe predictable and orderly change over
time in the types of organisms in an ecosystem. In succession, the
dominant plant and animal species living in an ecosystem are gradually
replaced by new specie, This occurs in stages over many years. Plants
Figure + This paring tas play a key role in succession because they provide food and shelter for
became overran wit vepeabe. animals, The new, changed environment creates conditions that are
potas ojaa nora {deal for new species. Over time, the community becomes more stable
dae ccatinomteame and succession slows down, Eventually the commurity remains as is
‘fone community of plans and and simply renews itself.
soins ober
Primary Succession
primary teens ces at
imary econis scoot T=! Prienary succession happens in areas where there has never been any
Stimaknavarawoeomveg” fe Imagine tata volcano, landtide, or earthquake has created a
ting ene bee large area of newly exposed bare rock. Lichens are the frst organisms
‘to colonize” the bate rock (Figute 2). They begin the process of
building soi. Lichens use photosynthesis to make food and to grow,
| and they produce acids that help them to absorb nutrients from the
Peers nwn the rock into soi. Lichens
Hanae ve rroaes oh Tock and the air These acids break down the rock into soil. Lich
tpusuyorased ngrenecten | Pick up some of the newly formed soil particles and other bits of
‘pur readg, As yoursad the | ddebrs as the wind blows over them. Once lichens ar thick enough,
ehowng tee pages, make ‘mosses can live in the area. The death and decay of licbens and mosses
rot of Ky ideas, words you
‘os to check for mening, o
‘gestions you have about he
also help build new soil, When enough soil gathers, small plants
‘egin to grow. Plant roots continue to break up the rock and keep the
tiple Wie your tougns on |-_-existing soil in place. Eventually, the area develops enough soil for
icky notes Place the sy | grasses and weeds to grow.
mies on ech page alongside
‘te tent
When you have ished
radi, alow up on our
rates. thee informaton that
You ave tam more about?
When you markup your tet
2d foo up on your rts, you
reap a deeper, mor compe
understanding of tp
Figure 2 ches um because fhe acon ofan alga and gus, Lees ete
festa to appear in primary sucesso,
“148. Chaptor 6+ Organisms Dopond on a Healthy Environment i ‘As each generation of plant grows and dies, more sol is created.
‘This allows plants to grow even taller, and shrubs and other bushes
begin to grow. As more shrubs grow, they out-compete the shorter
plants, such as grasses, for resources. Shorter plants die out because
they no longer receive enough sunlight to grow. The shrubs provide
shade and more stable, moist sol fr tee seedlings to develop. As the
‘ree population expands, the trees oat-compete the shrub species,
and only shade-loving plants remain, The area eventually develops
into a forest
‘As each new plant species begins to grow; consumers that feed on
that species move into the communty (Figure 3). Grasshoppers and,
‘groundhogs feed on the grasses inthe early stages of succession, but
are replaced as more dominant species, uch as shrubs and trees, cover
the area and grasses die out. Caterpillars and squirrels move in to feed
‘on the trees. Foxes, which feed on grassland animals, are replaced,
by wolves, which feed on forest animals. Grass-nesting birds such as
sparrows are replaced by tree-nesting birds such as oroles
In succession, early communities are quite simple, with few species
interacting. As succession progresses, communities become more
complex and contain many interactions.
Time (years)
Figure 3 Succession gral as pans ange, 0 co he anima, Sucaston an take
oe then a ured yes.
ve 6.1 The Dynamics of Nature: Succession 1491 Secondary Succession
scordar sucess: suction Secondary cession isthe slow change in species in an established
‘at dnp acormuniy nar 2 community after the community has been disturbed. Examples of
earthen eet “natural disturbances include forest fires and strong winds. Examples
‘of human made dieturbancee include cutting down forests for
agriculture or urban development
In secondary succession, soil already exists and needs to be
revitalized. Fist, seds from grasses and wildflowers blow in fom
neighbouring communities. The seeds grow on the exposed sail,
enriching it overtime. This enriched sol promotes the growth of
bigger plans, suchas blackberry bushes and birches (Figure 4, These
plants provide food and shelter for animals such as deer mice, nesting
birds, and garter snakes, which begin to move into the community.
Eventually, larger trees begin to grow and out-compete the bushes
and birches, pushing them out, Animals that prefer tal tees move in
Succession continues until the community re-estabishes itself,
However humans often interfere with succession. For example,
clear-cutting a forest eliminates the entire forest ecosystem. Let alone,
this area can recover through succession, eventually returning to a
complex forest ecosystem, However, humans often replace complex
ecosystems with simple ones designed for thei own needs. These
ecosystems tend not tobe sustainable, For example, reforestation
‘companies may plant only one tee species in an area that hasbeen
clear-cut Figure 5). One tee species results ina less complex food
‘web, Fewer organisms can be supported inthe ecosystem, andi is
more likely that problems will occur. Planting only one tee species
inetead ofallowing euccesion to occur naturally
ro increase: the
risk of the forest being wiped out by disease or insect invasion.
gure & This es os ben abandoned fr ore ine. ta et QUES Chrous en come mf re farma auch 0a
‘he lage of sucesso wre shrubs ae starting grow. ‘i ne, However, revel fw other ean canine.
1. (9) hat iprinaysuousin? 5 oretis der cut ad lt ogo natal, Desert te
(0) hy are tens so val for primary sucess? pat of sucesin fr the aes
2. Whats te tleence tween primary and secondary |, Elan ow humans inte with ueession How dos is
swoossson? aga act costs?
160. Chapt & + Organime Dapand on 3 Hesthy Environment - Human Impact on
Ecosystems
‘What effects do human activities have on nature? Like all other living
‘things, people can be in balance or out of balance with an ecosystem.
Habitat Loss ck
‘Humans use land ir. many ways. Farming, building cities, mining, “opie Sentences
sand even travelling can result in loss of habitat fr other living things. Loretto seta in
‘Consider, for example, shopping mals. They are often but on farm te pangaph under "ediet
fields or on “undeveloped? land (Figure 1). Al the vegetation is Loser tote sncco
eared from the lard 0 that tan be paved over or built on. The NHB es ser
Zhabitat for species inthe local ecosystem i destroyed. The products fp -Mun nla many
‘sold inthe mall are manufactured in other parts of Canada or ‘ys "T serenc oa
‘the world, Manufacturing also contributes to habitat loss because you te pagan i
be desing way in whit
factories all around the world destroy local habitats. In addition, some tear iag arn
‘manufactured goods contain metal, which is obtained by mining, subtieend tyic wetre ee
“Mining can alter or destroy habitats, Humans pave over local habitats you a cue that he paragraph
to build roads to transport goods and customers to the mall. You can __ Wile you about some
‘se the impact that shopping mall can have on an ecosystem! abe vas wi haba
ecg ors
tet cnt
bets stce neck
puch Wt a yo ae
Pesos ly
Deron epee on
teeny
Figure 1 Tis shopping ral tng on pine faring and
‘When forests are clear-cut, wetlands are drained, or meadows are
paved over, habitats lost. Habitat loss means that organisms that lived
in these habitats have nowhere to go. Plants die because they cannot
uproot and move. Some animals may die because they may not be
able to travel far enough to find a suitable habitat. Animals that move
to new communities may not be able to compete with the organisms
already living there and may die. The end result of habitat loss is fewer
“organisms,
Land-use issues are complicated. It can be difficult to balance the
needs of ecosystems and the needs and wants of humans. Humans
need places to live, farmland on which to grow food, and jobs that
‘may come from development. Our standard of living in Canada is
‘very high compared to the rest of the world. I is time to think about
how we can get what we wantin ways that cause as litle damage to
ecosystems as possible
a 6.2 Human Impact on Ecosystems 154 PM ae
| SKILLS MENU: saying, comunistng
Thre re many organizations in Ontario ard Canada woking, 2, Use ht toreserch the cpaizainn you have
toproect heb fare generations. tis act, you wil chs.
‘lor om fen atta dae Waly a8
cou pwn omer
aupment and Materials: comput win tet 6288 hose an appropri med share aur ngs wth
1/1 Slat ono honing aration ose: tress, fr earl a ose, mutes reseation,
Greeoe of Ona, rks Ursrites Ntize Cosaracy anes
of Canad, Wor Va Fund
Habitat Loss and Biodiversity
adesty sity f pertens Foran ecosystem toe healthy, it needs a large variety of plant and
‘inal Wen aneeesen animal life. The variety of organisms in an ecosystems called
‘endangered spacis: scis at biodiversity. Biodiversity can be used to measure the health of an
seattskcfdeomng ert tie ecosystem: ‘he more varied the organisms in an ecosjstem, the more
“ear resin n rumors a9
parr {interactions will take place. Loss of habitat can place # species at rik
‘of becoming endangered (Figure 2). Endangered speces are species
ame te omyane ‘that are in danger of becoming extinct. Extinction oc-urs when a
‘appensze pcs Fon ;
anes ‘species no longer exists anywhere on Earth! A species may become
‘endangered because its population has been reduced, or because its
‘population is being threatened by clements of the ecosystem
‘Smeg mara (Figure 3). Loss of biodiversity can threaten the sustainability of
I ccosystems. @
Fgure2 The Easton Massa rte was conmenly Fgue3. The Amsican chest hassles sapeared rom
‘ard in sutra Grr 80 years apn, Davelpant ane aster Nort eri suena gus hat was acieraly
waitin nas endanger is spaces. Ingcauced into te pop,
Earths biodiversity provides many of the things humans need to live
and enjoy life. For example, plants provide the raw material for a wide
range of products. They also provide us with pleasant surroundings,
land they help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
“182 Chapter 6 « Oganisme Depend on a Healthy Environment te So fa, scientists have identified close to 1.75 million species
‘of living things. Most ofthese are small organisms, such as
micro-organisms ard invertebrates, Scientists estimate that there are
‘between 5 and 30 million different spectes of organisms on Earth!
Invasive Species and Biodiversity
Invasive species are species that are not normally found in a limasive species: species that
particular area. In most cases, they have been introduced into an area 8 Dee noduce into an area
by haman activities Sometimes they rented by accident, and A a wn a
sometimes they are introduced purposely. Invasive species may be tgpessey bu upace nna
introduced into an ecosystem in many differen ways Invasive species term uct,
‘can arrive on boats (Figure 4), trucks, or even people's shoes! They may
also escape or be released from farms and pet collections (Figure 5)
Common invasive species indude pigeons and house sparrows. These
birds were intentionally brought ove to North America from Europe
aa
Thue za mse wee cca o Thee siete was ined ote es
Lake fom East Euope 18s Ty ea muses Re axe ge omer Ging eae tes Ts
avert ale Get Lae nd ae oe te wastes rte spec competes We athe pds kd
vase sce Oia vate. staat
When invasive species move into an area, they generally ha
negative impact on the organisms in that ecosystem, Invasive species,
are not part ofthe existing fod chains. They grow quickly and have
few of les effective nataral predators. They compete forthe same
resources as native species, Nave species are species that have lived sve specs: pce that ocr
{nan area for along ime and have adapted to the other ongenisms in "SON nan ea
the ecosystem, Because invasive species have few predators, native
species are pushed out and the biodiversity ofthe area decreases.
Kentucky bluegrass, for example, was introduced by American settlers
for use in lawns It spread into other communities and i row
‘wideepread in North American grasslands, A rlated spe
bluegrass has become so common in Canada that tis known as
“Canada bluegrass” even though itis not a naive species
ve 62 Human Inpcton Ecosystems 159
sof Table 1 shows other common invasive species in Ontario.
“Table 1 Some imasive Species in Ontario ant te Ets They Hae on Loca Ecosystems
Invasive species fects on ecosystems
Sm Ts woot brig insct rom Chia
stacks hea harowond es. was
Invesco rom wod packing teri
brought versie,
+ iasted woes mus bo destroyed
event he beat’ sored
‘Summarizing
“Thnk about wat you ean
ths sect. How much do you
rama? How esiy can you
‘summative “Huan impact on
pari Aan ogo bete |
en te, at + Ge rs cng wn tones
mee sky es oma ator ne stn sg
fete ste ou rts | Seperate sang
Ste: Next ees ee ‘reno ni eo
asec bc ee + ergs et pon be ty
‘help you to remember important aes
eas ore cary? it easier
| to summarize te tex?
Locating topic sntoncas as
you read vl lp you keap
‘mpatant ination a mina
ang summaie your easing
‘+ Zobra mussols cared ty ocean sigs
‘og water inks at reament pant
‘They renee mucho the plankton and
theese od sures atte Bator
stanvors fhe foo we,
+ Poquiatos of rave muses, cas, and
Paar smal shipper
Ts garden lant was itosuce fom
ung by ships crossing te ocean
+ owtcompets nate plants in wands
‘a6 wi meadows,
dogs up tation syste and
‘nero wit the receatonal noyert
rae cael of ponds nd aks.
Fortunately, many people are trying to cortrol the spread of
non-native species. Volunteers spein] say weekends ze1moving
invasive plant species from sensitive habitats, Creating your own natural
habitat at school or home, if done carefully, can give back valuable
REMNANT eesources tothe original plants and animals that used to live there. @
1. What habeas? £3.) etnias spel ad nate species.
2 (a) wnat isticdversty? (0) How do invasive species cause nam tobe
(0) How are hat ssa aiersy connected? seven
To kam rer sb ase
(@) tame to asiv species onan Ontario an epiao
aw ey har te ener
1154 Chapter 6 + Organisms Depend on a Heathy Environment rs The Trouble with Invasive
Species
In this activity, you will research invasive species in Ontario and
determine an action plan to help control, or eliminate, that species.
‘To investigate an invasive species in your area
and develop a plan to lessen the impact of that
species on the environment.
Equipment and Materials
+ map of Ontario
+ computer with Internet azcess
+ field guide to invasive species (optional)
>. Se
compte wth
Ire ace
fe gute»
imasve seis
Procedure
1. Obtain a map of Ontario from your teacher.
‘Working in groups, use the map to select an
area close to your community. Ty to choose
an area that you can vst and stud first-hand
2. Find out which invasive species are found in
your selected area including species found in
lakes or rivers, You can use field guides or the
Internet to identify invasive species in your
selected area
EE OF
3. Once you have identified the invasive species
in your area, choose one that is both common
and destructive, Research how to recognize
it, how it was introduced tothe area, how it
affects the balance within the ecosystem, and
‘how well-established itis
paren
OD contg
verti
4, Research solutions that have been suggested
to remove your invasive species from the area,
Local naturalists’ clubs, hunters’ and anglers
associations, plant nurseries, Aboriginal
Elders, farmers, and Conservation Authorities
‘may provide you with information,
- Create a three- to five-point plan of action to
climinate the species from the area, or to slow
its spread. Make sure your solutions do not
‘cause harm to the environment,
6. Create a brochure for the community that
‘summarizes your research. It should also
provide information about what people can
do to eliminate the species or stop or slow
its spreed.
‘Analyze and Evaluate
(@) Why has you selected invasive species
been able to become so established inthe
environment?
(©) Predict which of the point in your ation
plan wil be most success. Explain,
(© Why might it be more effective to stop
invasive species from entering a specific
habitat as opposed to trying to remove such
a species once tis already established?
Apply and Extend
(@) Determine if there sa group that you can
contact to put your plan into action, How
right you encourage them to take action?
Can you use any of pints in your
fn pln ne Unt es? Graphic Organizers:
KEL Chart
Before you read tis section
make a KW. chat in your
rotebook, Ora tv curs
‘and use the folowing headans:
What Aedy Kno; What
| Want okra and What
eae |
Before you red te sct,
rte what you krow abut
otecting the enionment
the fist column. As you rea
ad any furor question yu
may have tothe second cour. |
When outs eating the
‘secon, complet th hi
coum,
The KEL charts a grat
tool help you stay focused
‘and make ctnnactos ta yar
| retina,
Figure 1 An eclogical otpint
capers han demand on nature
ih ne aba of Ears ecoysioms
to rogenrate hose resources.
Protecting the
Environment
‘We depend on healthy ecosystems to meet our basic needs: to grow
‘our food, to provide us with clean water, and to supply us with
‘building materials and clothing, We also need someplace to put our
‘waste, We use Earths resources to provide us with energy. We use this
‘energy for heating, transportation, manufacturing, and many other
things.
‘We also use Earth’ resources to make many things that we want,
but do not necessarily need. How much we take from nature depends
‘on our daily habits and the choices we make, How can we satisfy both
‘our needs and wants in a way that does not hurt our environment?
How can we live ina sustainable way?
Ecological Footprints
‘In 1996, Matthies Wackernagel and Wiliam Ress, two researchers
at the University of British Columbia, developed a way to measure
hnuman demand on Earths ecosystems. They called this measure the
“ecological footprint An ecological footprint estimates the amount of
land and water need to regenerate the resources a human consumes,
as well ato absorb the waste produced, Ecological footprints are
used to make people aware of how much of Earths resources we we.
“The more we consume, use and throw out, the larger ovr individal
‘footprint (Figure 1). The more we conserve and use only what we
need, the smaller cur individual footprint. The impact that humans
hhaveon the environment is a product of our population size andthe
total of on indivi! forint
158 Chapter 6 + Organisms Depend on a Healthy Environment ““ North Americans have extremely large individual footprint.
“The average North American requires 124 hectares of Earths space
to support his or her lifestyle. Based on current consumption and
population trends, Earth can provide only two hectares for every
person on the planet. everyone lived the way people in North
America do, we would 1eed at leat three more planets to sustain,
the human population!
We need to be willing to decide which is more important: our
‘wants, or our need for z healthy planet. Making this decision is part of
becoming a responsible environmental citizen. We can all do things to leanne abot
reduce our ecological footprint. Making changes wil then lessen our Soop at
impact on ecosystems. @ Grimey
Determining Your Ecological Footprint
Ins city you wi determine ae ecloal oti and, Crt at ofan tel ngs ha yo at yur prs
ere ways to reduce your utp. can do to ece te sie your ecoga aati
xuigmant and Materials computer wth iteetacus: chart B, Sam of he way of edu your cg ae hare to
apr markers accompli thn oars, Slt one or wo was that weld
1. Fin an eco fxtrintcalovstar ont net and be otto you te 6 ns extn wy.
‘se Rta deine te se of your ectopic ootpint. How might thats n youre sce oo i? Expl,
is tare oe ing that our etl ous oman 0
| EEE ST Cia et ve ge apt
2. Camara your ests with tes n your grup
Stewardship of Earth
‘More and more people are coacerned about the negative effects that
humana have on ecouytems They want todo something to ep,
People can become stewards of the environment. A steward is a ‘toward a person who caetuly
person who carefully manages a resource To become stewards, we —‘Traafeney arg
fst have olan about the environment Secondly, we have to change SEY ass
some of our behaviours inorder to care for the environment. Tied,
we have to tell others about what we hav leaned and how they can
help, oo. An acronym for STEWARD is someone who does the
flowing
Sustainably uses resources.
‘Trains others to become sewards.
‘Educates himself or herself about environmental concerns,
‘Works to repair damage to the natural environment.
‘Acts to save the environment and change policies.
Reflects on her or his behaviour and personal impact.
Decides to get involved!
ae 6.4 Protecting the Ervianment 187 Figure 2 Preserving saa a
tstouhas wees eps o
‘ton cars beri
Figure 3 The mre we rene te
ne we hep conserve ecosystems
Preserving, Conserving, and Restoring Ecosystems
Preserve
Stewardship means taking esponsibility for your own actions People
across Ontario and Canada recognize the need to preserve areas
that have not yet heen damaged by hmans. There are some areas of
“untouched boreal forest in northern Ontario that should be protected
‘rom being logged inthe fture (Fgsre 2.
osystems means using ecosystems wisely. Traditional
farming methods use chemical fertilizers and pesticides on soil and
‘crops to help grow as much as possible. Organic farming methods use
‘compost and biological pest control techniques to keep sol productive
‘without destroying the natural balance inthe soil. Conventional
farmers can also be environmental stewards oftheir land. They can
reduce the amounts of chemical fertilizer that they use. They can also
use farming practices that help protect the sol
‘We createa lot of waste that we usually put into landiil sites, These
sites displace natural habitats, Garbage in landfill sites can contribute
to ir, water, and soil pollution. In improperly built landfills, water
from rain ard snow soaks through the waste, carrying centaminants
into the soil and groundwater, The solutions are not simple. SU,
there is something we can do to help. The "3 Rs” isa simple method
of addressing the amount of garbage we produce: reduce reuse,
and recycle. We can reduce the amount of garbage we produce by
buying goocs that have little or no packaging, We can alto buy fewer
‘unnecessary things. Howschold items such as jas, boxes, paper. and
clothing can be reused. Towns and cities have recycling programs
(Figure 3), Glass and aluminum are melted down and reused. Paper
is recycled into cardboard, Some plastics can be made inio other
products. We can recycle food waste using a backyard composter or by
‘using the green bin recycling programs that some municipalities offer.
188 Chapter 6» Organisms Depend on a Healthy Environment ww Restore
‘We can restore ecosystems by taking steps to repair the damage done
by human activity, Restoration projects can be as simple as planting
trees to repair oil erosion, or as involved as building nest sites for
birds such as Icons, ospreys, and terns (Figure 4).
Fare 4 (An ope lands a huan-ate atm, Osprey poplons have eased
2 a reat ofthese pos.) People ul aia lands fe tr, ho a one on
urging ine we,
Biodiversity isimportant to healthy ecosystems. Homes and
businesses displace plants and animals in local ecosystems. This means
that there are fewer plants available to take up carbon dioxide from
the air. Many towns and cities are finding ways to restore ecosystem.
biodiversity by cating more green spaces, Individuals can promote
biodiversity by replacing lawns with a wider variety of plant species
(Figure 5). This provides food and shelter for local wildlife. Using
native plants in gardens also improves local biodiversity.
‘There are many small steps you can take to make big changes to the
{impact you haveon Earth, Turn off lights and computers when you
igre Gardens wi ts ot
“trent lantsproe a eter
haave finished using them. Shut off the water while you brush your ter oe tres an iss.
teeth. Support environmental projects to save endangered species or
to prevent pollution. All the steps you take will help you to become a
“Steward of Earth”
MUEETSEEISID eo re nn Uta see wae
ear, conser, restart ae,
Ea .
1.) Wttis an clog ott? 3 How dos ori famig help conserve eros?
(©) How many nectar and es a North American neeC 4, yt role feta by igre bit nal tes?
‘oswian him orheset?
(How nmiy been ea fi wads uman x _| 5: MARA Do ys in ih pap can an rm
ean? notes.
2. Wats reat by conserving ecsytons?
= 6.4 Protootng the Erviormont 488: Traditional Knowledge and
Stewardship of Earth
‘Poems are often used in Traditional Knowledge to express connections
‘between humans and nature, Read the following poem.
The old man
‘Must have stopped our ear
Two dozen times to climb out
‘And gather nto his hands
‘The small toads blinded
By our lights and leaping, ve drops ofa,
The rain was falling,
Amst about his white hair
‘And Iept saying
‘You cat save them al
‘Accept, get back in
‘We've got places to go.
But, leathery hands fll
Of wer brown ie
Kee deep inthe summer
Roadside gras,
He just emiled and sa
Joseph Bruchac,
"Entering Onondaga
What Is Traditional Knowledge?
‘Traditional Knowledge isthe experience, wisdom, and practices,
gained by Aboriginal peoples over many generations. It is developed
from centuries of close interaction with the local environment.
‘Traditional Knowledge includes such ereas ae farming, Sahing, heat,
forestry, hunting, and environmental management, It is passed from
generation to generation through stories, poems, musi, art, rituals,
and laws.
Aboriginal peoples share knowledge by telling stories. These
stories help explain complex relationships found in nature
(Figure 1). Many of the stories show the relationships among living
‘things and their environment. Traditional Aboriginal peoples
understand very well how all things are interconnected. They also
understand how important itis for humans to live in harmony
‘with nature, This knowledge can help us change our attitudes and
lure + Passing oun srs fom
‘peecaton to georatanotom behaviour in order to protect our planet.
‘ratona Kroueog.
100 Chapter 6 + Orgies Depend un Healy Eaviorment ve ‘The Value of Traditional Knowledge
‘Today more and more people are recognizing the value of Traditional
Knowledge. This knowledge is valuable not only to those who depend
oon it in their daly lives, but to modern industry, farming, and society,
thas also begun to play a key role in public education.
Many Aboriginal communities are located in areas that have large
amounts of natural resources. These communities have cultivated and
used the local land and organisms in a sustainable way for thousands
of years. Because their way of life is so connected to Ue hand, they
work hard to maintain healthy ecosystems. We can learn from
their skills and techniques for managing the land and its resources.
For example, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the
‘Anishinabek Nation have agreed to work together to help manage
the Great Lakes water systems in a sustainable way. The Anishinabek
Nation includes seven different First Nations that live in Ontario,
‘Ona more local level, the Willow Beach
Field Naturalists and the Alderville First Nation
have teamed up to restore and manage the
Alderville Black Oak Savannah, an area south of
Peterborough. This fragile and rare area consists
of grassland with oak and pine trees scattered.
through it. The Alderville Savannah was once
a vast grassland with many wild blue lupine
flowers, The Karner Blue butterfly (Figure 2),
which depends on ths flower for survival, was
‘once common in the savannah, However, much of
the savannah has been lost to development. As a
result, the Karner Blue butterfly has not been seen
in Ontario since 1979, The First Nation and the
naturalists are planting blue lupines in an effort to
restore the ecosystem. They hope that the Karner
Blue will return to the area. The Willow Beach ‘ol mare tt te
[Naturalists and the Aldervlle Fist Nation have the same goal: to e«,
protect Ontario unique natural habitat as well as species atrisk @ EAN A
Figure 2 The Kare Bue biter sa smal bute abot the
26 of ck The feat wil ny he e658 ue
4. (hats Tatil Kroledge? 2 what ways can Ton oowedpe help Ota strive
(How ston Kooweage posed on ram geeraton | towers sutanabiy?
‘mgueraio ‘3, Wats the message ithe poem at the bagening of his
‘sector?
ve ‘65 Taditonal Knowledge and Stewardship cf Earth 164, 6.6 EXPLORE AN ISSUE CRITICALLY
Potential Solutions
1 doting tw
wana es to Traffic
5 ran
brea bcaen Traffic congestion in our urban centres gets worse every year
=— (Figure 1), I takes drivers more time to get:0 where they aze going
and it costs more to drive their cars, Driversare frustrated. More time
spent on the road also means that cars use more gas and produce
‘more exhaust, which causes more air pollution
Solving traffic problems is not easy. People depend on cars to get
to work or school, and most of the goods we buy are shipped to
stores in tucks, What changes can we make to help solve the traffic
problem without inconveniencing people or denying them basic
needs? How do we make those changes? Which solution is better for
the environment or local ecosystems? Ifa sclution is good for the
environment but inconvenient for people, what compromises should
we make?
lure 1 How ob we eevee amour o are cangeston mou ubencenes?
The Issue
‘You have been hired by your city council to propose solutions to
traffic congestion in and around your city. Currently, the roads
and highways cannot handle the amount of trafic, and the public
transportation syst2m is not big enough to meet peoples needs
Pollution from vehicles is affecting peoples health, especially the
young and the elderly. Your job is to find possible solutions, analyze
their costs and benefits, and determine which solution solves the
traffic problem and has the least impact on the local environment.
462 Chapter 6 + Organisms Depend on a Heathy Environment a ‘Goal
‘To recommend a method, or methods, of reducing traffic congestion,
‘that is both effective and environmentally friendly.
Gather Information oy
Working in groups, investigate ways to reduce rfc congestion
Brainstorm a variety of strategies before you sat your research so
that each person investigates a diferent talegy. As you analyze your
strategy, ask youself What are the benefits to human populations?
What are the drawbacks? Are there any negative repercussions to local
ecosystems? Does i reduce air pollution? What are the economic and
social implication? Is it practical? How will he strategy be maintained?
‘he internet local police or trafic control centres local transit
commissions, and newspaper articles may provide you with more
information Ifyou are doing an Internet search, what key words can
you use?
reece (507
Identify Solutions
‘Once you have finished your research, discuss which strategy isthe
‘most effective and the most environmentally friendly. You may decide
to combine some of the strategies.
Consider the following ideas to help identity possible solutions:
+ widening highways and major roads
+ increasing access to public transit
imposing higher tax on gasoline
introducing toll roads and dedicated lanes for cerpooling
introducing bylaws that stop vehicle from entering urban areas on
certain days
+ increasing the cost of parking
Make a Decision
Upon reviewing your group’ research, what will you recommend to
city council? Be sare to support your position with evidence
‘Communicate
Present your group recommendation to your class, The class wil act.
4s city council, Explain why your method or combination of methods
4s the most effective and friendly to the environment, Discuss asa
