Dear EarthTalk: What is the “Field of Dreams” ecology restoration theory? Mary W., Austin, TX
The “Field of Dreams” hypothesis is a premise that restoration ecologists use to support arguments in favor of restoring plant diversity in that doing so will also lead to the return of wildlife. The hypothesis name comes from the 1989 film of the same name in which Kevin Costner heeds the “if you build it, they will come” call, building a ballfield in his cornfield which leads to all-stars from the ages showing up for an epic game. Conservationists would like to believe they can do similar things with land by reintroducing native plants so that animals will also return given the more hospitable surroundings.
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IMAGE: The new study found that, when restoring habitat, the effects of management strategies on animal communities were six times stronger on average than the effects of plant biodiversity. One such. view more
Credit: Holly Jones, Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, Ill. If you build it, they might not come. That s the key finding of a new study on habitat restoration practices that challenges a commonly accepted principle in ecology.
The study tested the Field of Dreams hypothesis, which predicts that restoring plant biodiversity will lead to recovery of animal biodiversity. The prediction, which often guides restoration practices, is infrequently tested because restoration studies typically measure plant or animal biodiversity, but rarely both, said lead author Pete Guiden, a post-doctoral researcher at Northern Illinois University.
Devastating beyond words : Inside Prairie Crossing s COVID-19 outbreak in rural Shabbona daily-chronicle.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from daily-chronicle.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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Good soil biodiversity means clean drinking water, balanced greenhouse gases and a reliable source of worldwide medicines and vaccines.
So what can we do at home to keep our local soils healthy? Elizabeth Bach is an ecosystem restoration scientist with The Nature Conservancy, based at the Nachusa Grasslands. She said it can be as simple as watching how much salt you throw down this winter. Most people put more salt on than they really need to, Bach said. So just look at the package and scatter the minimum amount of salt that they recommend. And you ll be surprised, you probably don t need as much salt as you as you think you might. And that s a great way to help protect life in the soil or around you, and keep yourself safe in the winter.
Nine COVID-related deaths, 110 new cases Friday in the Sauk Valley saukvalley.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from saukvalley.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.