Jan 14 2010
Wilderness Legislation and Extinction!
Just a couple of questions:
First, I know that the Wilderness Act of 1964 allows Congress to designate a wilderness area, but I am a bit confused why it is controversial. Do people think that it is too much, or not enough? (Question 23 in Chap 8 study guide)
And then, for ecological extinction to occur, does the species even have to exist in the wild anymore? Or can it just be in zoos/aquariums and stuff? And what are examples of ecologically extinct species? (Question 2 in Chap 9 study guide)
Thanks!
Hey Syd, I can help with your first question. What I got out of the reading was that the Wilderness Act is controversial because mining, oil, logging, gas industries want their hands on this land. So it’s controversial because some people think it prohibits economic growth. The book also brought up 2005′s Sec. of the Interior and how a decision he made allowed the Act to be weakened.
Hey- I’m sorry this is so late, but for the second question…. my understanding is that ecological extinction occurs when there are still members of a species that exist in the wild/ environment, but because there are so few members of that species, it can’t play its ecological role (I’m guessing that’s because there just aren’t enough individuals of that species to really make an impact towards their role in the natural community they live in). As for an example, I’m not too sure, I’m sorry! But I hope the first part helps! (again, sorry it’s late) Good luck!