- Bates, T. B. (2019, February 19). Protecting small forests fails to protect bird biodiversity. Retrieved February 23, 2019, from https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-02/ru-psf022019.php
The William L. Hutcheson Memorial Forest in central New Jersey was permanently protected from development and recreation in 1955, in order to be managed as a natural area and serve as an ecological field laboratory for long-term study. People argue that areas need to to be deemed as protected to ensure the safety of the ecosystem however, Researchers say that “forests need to be carefully monitored and managed to maintain their ecological integrity.” Invasive plants have increased dramatically in the old growth forest creating a less suitable habitat for ground-nesting and migratory birds that have largely disappeared. All of the evidence suggests that the forest has become less suitable habitat for several bird species over time, despite having protected status. There is an emphasis on trying to limit overgrazing in order to ensure the return of ground-nesting and migratory bird species, but only time can tell.
This article was surprisingly correct many people say that weened to ensure the safety of our ecosystems with endangered species by protecting them when it is no where near the case. Management is what is truly what needs to be in place in order to ensure the species to thrive and not completely die out. It is crazy how many species brush past us since the remaining amount die out due to old age. If better regulations such as monitoring and managing were in place along side a protected area species will continue to grow and excel.
Although I do agree with the article, we have to be sure we don’t over-manage our forests. In order for our forests to begin thriving again, we definitely need to help them a bit, but we can’t give them too much attention. If we take out certain species or don’t let them grow, we may decrease the overall biodiversity of the ecosystem, which is nowhere that we want to be.
I enjoyed reading the article you chose and your opinion on the matter. While reading the article, I couldn’t agree more with the protection of current area from the public. My topic is on invasive species and in the article it talks about how invasive species are increasing so much, which is very true. In fact, it’s becoming a huge issue in the environment. Not only plants, but animals as well. It’s very dangerous and should be watched over. The forest needs a lot of protection from the public and from the invasive species.