ecosystem

Damming of the Colorado River over the last century, alongside introduction of game fish species, has led to an extensive decline in numbers of native fish whilst introduced species have flourished. Scientists have found that physical changes which occur to a river when it is dammed have had an adverse effect only on native fish, due to differences in their life histories.- Tahar Benourad

The consistently rising gasoline prices are making people consider alternative stay-at-home vacations or staycations. With the cost of living being pushed up and threat of global warming looming large, people are reconsidering far-flung journeys to exotic locales and are spending time in their homes and at local attractions. Even as they reduce their carbon footprint, staycations are fast emerging as a form of  responsible travel many are opting for. It is also an economical way of taking sustainable holidays.

Given the uncertainty accruing to traditional investments in today's economy, here's a trend to consider: the monetizing of ecosystem services. One of the first public discussions of this, the Biodiversity & Ecosystem Finance Summit taking place in New York this weekend, aims to answer this question: how can financiers and corporations take a lead in biodiversity and ecosystem conservation? (I can think of a few ways, yes.)

Want to learn about ecosystems? Observe nature up close? Play God? A Lil' World in a Jar might be the answer to your desires...

Frogs, because of the nature of how they breed and reproduce are often the first to go when there is pollution in the environment. Their thin permeable skin allows pollutants to easily pass into their systems.

Most of the available antibacterial handsoaps on the market today contain Triclosan. Triclosan ends up in our streams, lakes and rivers killing microscopic organisms because it is immune to most water treatments. This harmful killing if organisms effects our fisheries and the life forms that eat the fish, thereby disrupting our whole ecosystem. Triclosan ends up in our drinking water as well.

Florida Power & Light's (FPL's) Turkey Point nuclear power plant, thanks to its cooling system, has become the main breeding ground for the American crocodiles, which were on the brink of extinction 30 years ago. The plant's cooling system, consisting of over 100 km of canals, has created the ideal breeding environment for the animals.