The ecological crisis of the Dust Bowl in the 1930s caused a dramatic change in conservation strategies. In response to the impacts of massive soil erosion, new agricultural techniques were developed to conserve soil and water. These strategies and techniques had great implications for other conservation programs that would restore land health. In 1933, Aldo Leopold incorporated these new conservation paradigms into his classic book, Game Management, and a new profession was born. Throughout the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps reclaimed degraded lands through reforestation and creation of managed wetland impoundments on 35 refuges in 25 states.
Over the next few decades a wide array of wildlife and habitat management techniques were developed to address numerous ecological challenges. Sometimes a utilitarian approach to wildlife management missed underlying ecological principles that were not yet well understood. So, freshwater impoundments were developed in some coastal wetlands, and some bottomland hardwoods were cleared to grow agricultural crops to feed the ducks and geese.
Modern science has enhanced understanding of ecosystem functions and how they can inform wildlife and habitat management. The Refuge System Improvement Act incorporated a new standard for management in the law: refuges are to be managed to protect and maintain biological integrity, diversity and environmental health.
The Service implemented a policy in 2001 that requires wildlife management to strive to mimic natural processes to protect: biological diversity at multiple scales; natural ecosystem functions; and clean water, air and soils on wildlife refuges. The policy also tells managers of wildlife refuges to address threats and stressors that originate from beyond their boundaries. Explicitly recognized in the policy is the reality that many wildlife refuges are islands in highly fragmented landscapes and they require intensive management to meet their purposes. Techniques ranging from fire to flooding, and from farming to grazing, and maintaining wilderness character are used on different refuges in differing circumstances to accomplish policy goals.
Comment below and/or move on to next section of Chapter 2- Managing Refuges to Support Ecological Resilience and Climate Adaptation
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Restoration, biodiversity and balance should be discussed in the context of native plants and animals. Predators are important to this diversity and should be part of every discussion about biodiversity, including in states where coyotes, bears and lions are very seldom found.
Please consider a discussion of new and innovative ways to combat invasive plant species, and a commitment of the funding to follow through. The discussion should include regulations that restrict sales of ornamentals when necessary.
Because so many natural systems are degraded, emphasis should be placed on restoration of habitats and processes. As stress increases on natural systems with inceasing human population, restoration of what has already been lost becomes more important. The NWRS must receive the funding support necessary to be successful.