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	<title>Going Green &#187; Ecosystems</title>
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	<link>http://www.starttogogreen.com</link>
	<description>Information on how to lead a green lifestyle</description>
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		<title>Ecosystem Conservation</title>
		<link>http://www.starttogogreen.com/ecosystems/ecosystem-conservation</link>
		<comments>http://www.starttogogreen.com/ecosystems/ecosystem-conservation#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jan 2010 10:38:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>TheGreenMan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Ecosystems]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[conservation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ecosystem Conservation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.starttogogreen.com/?p=210</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The best way to conserve an ecosystem is to approach it from a large scale view. Large scale approaches avoid the pitfalls of species-by-species methods that can drain finances and resources fast. ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>With ecosystem conservation, you have to know the definition of an ecosystem before any conservation can be done. An ecosystem is a group of plants, animals and micro organisms that work together in an environment with non-living factors. This creates a delicate balance of life that when altered, can mess up the whole system. Therefore, it is very hard for conservationists to know how to aid the ecosystem. </p>
<p>The main function of ecosystem conservation is protecting or restoring the structure, function and species compilation within the system. This can get hard quickly, because everything in an ecosystem affects everything else. The best way to conserve an ecosystem is to approach it from a large scale view. Large scale approaches avoid the pitfalls of species-by-species methods that can drain finances and resources fast. These methods also become one giant headache because the conservationists become stuck in an environmental loop, always trying to come up with something new to fix the problem they just introduced. One of the major problems that conservationists face in the natural ecosystem environments is the issue that humans also have to use the space. It is important for the conservationists to work with the local people and governments so that there can be conservation goals that work well within the ecological unit and with the needs of the people.</p>
<p>There are many different types of ecosystems. In fact, practically any environment is a type of ecosystem. There are coral reef ecosystems, ocean ecosystems, desert ecosystems, natural ecosystems and forest ecosystems. There are even human ecosystems for different environments in which humans interact. Most ecosystems are very delicate, and so when other factors that did not originate with the original environment are introduced into the ecosystem, the system collapses. There are some ecological units, however, that can resist these external factors when they are introduced. Usually, whether an ecosystem can survive a new element or not depends on the toxicity of the new element, and the resiliency of the ecosystem. Because these systems are largely governed by chance events, such as a forest fire or an oil spill, ecosystem conservation becomes an arduous task. Conservationists want to keep these bio-networks as pure as possible.</p>
<p>For ecosystem conservation, it is important to note that they function best when left alone. Results of too much human intervention can be disastrous. The best approach to conservation is through goals that work with the ecosystem and the human sides of things. This ensures the preservation of wild ecosystems, as well as allowing people to live freely within them.</p>
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		<title>Causes Of Deforestation</title>
		<link>http://www.starttogogreen.com/ecosystems/causes-of-deforestation</link>
		<comments>http://www.starttogogreen.com/ecosystems/causes-of-deforestation#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 08 Mar 2009 13:34:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>TheGreenMan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Ecosystems]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Deforestation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[forest products]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lake forest]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rain forest]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sustainable forestry]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.starttogogreen.com/?p=95</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[One of the most important reasons for deforestation is the generation of food. The sudden increase in the global population has demanded that enough food be generated, so forests were depleted to create land for agriculture.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Development has been a process and the means to provide more and more comfort and prosperity to human beings. Development has, at the same time, spelt doom to most of the forests around the globe and particularly to the rain forest. Massive scale deforestation is taking place for a number of reasons, which are mainly tied to the burgeoning population explosion of the past few decades. Owing to the rapid increase in the number of mouths that need to be fed, the demand for land increased exponentially for cultivation, housing and income generation. Unless some drastic measures are put into motion, this path will most certainly lead to the destruction of life on earth.</p>
<p>One of the most important reasons for deforestation is the generation of food. The sudden increase in the global population has demanded that enough food be generated, so forests were depleted to create land for agriculture. The communities in Asian and African countries practice shifting land cultivation, where land for agriculture is created with the help of forest fires, after which a new patch of forest is destroyed for the same purpose. African and American cattle ranching have both become another major reason for the destruction of forests. In some cases, massive tree planting schemes are undertaken; however, these are not able to recreate the same ecosystem that once existed, therefore the effort is rather redundant.</p>
<p>The other major reason for deforestation is housing. People all over the world are looking forward to owning a piece of land, which they can call home. The rapid population increase, plus the popularity of the nuclear family has pushed the demand for real estate through the roof. This is another burning reason why trees are felled and forests are destroyed. Though most countries have rules and regulations regarding depletion of forests, authorities often choose to ignore the practices of local contractors.</p>
<p>There is no doubt that deforestation and its outcome is due to the sudden explosion of the world population. It looks like development and progress are the culprits that are systematically destroying our planet. If there is to be any hope for the future, then extreme measures must be formulated and enforced towards forest conservation and balancing the many delicate ecosystems world wide. Unless there is a mechanism put into place to counter the continuous and systematic destruction of the forests, our planet isn&#8217;t going to last for too long, and therefore neither will we. Start protecting the planet today.</p>
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		<title>Ecosystem management</title>
		<link>http://www.starttogogreen.com/ecosystems/ecosystem-management</link>
		<comments>http://www.starttogogreen.com/ecosystems/ecosystem-management#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 06 Mar 2009 03:38:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>TheGreenMan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Ecosystems]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ecosystem management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Global Warming]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rainforest]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[save the planet]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.starttogogreen.com/?p=93</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[All species depend on each other for survival. This is where the circle of life and ecosystem management comes into play. Organic materials are consumed and broken down by insects and bacteria. Fertilizer and soil are generated by this breakdown.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The earth&#8217;s life support system is supported by the existence of an ecosystem. Good ecosystem management will make or break the future of the environment. The extinction of just one bacterium, insect, animal or plant changes the whole system and puts the future of the human race into question. Forest fires and the destruction of forest products and plant life all contribute to the ruination of the earth&#8217;s delicate ecosystem.</p>
<p>All species depend on each other for survival. This is where the circle of life and ecosystem management comes into play. Organic materials are consumed and broken down by insects and bacteria. Fertilizer and soil are generated by this breakdown. Plants grow in the soil and are fed by the fertilizer. Plants are a food source for both humans and animals, and they provide oxygen for the environment. Insects, especially bees, provide pollination for the plants, spreading the seeds and aiding in reproduction. These life cycle processes are ongoing and, when interfered with, can devastate the ecosystem.</p>
<p>Humans are responsible for the destruction of millions of acres of forest land each year. Humans also destroy insects, animal habitats and plants with the use of insecticides and pesticides. One of the most important aspects of good ecosystem management is the medicinal value it provides us. A very large percentage of all prescription medications that are used in the United States have a natural base of bacteria, plants or animals. The balance that maintains the base currently in place on earth did not come about overnight. It took millions and millions of years, but it is taking far less time to destroy it. Unfortunately, some of the great progress that we have achieved, especially in the last 100 years, has played a part in destroying those ecosystems. We have done this with the building of recreational services and activities, agricultural progress and the simple clearing of lands, which we now know should be left alone. Some forms of life have evolved, while others are still in the state they were originally created in. Some life forms have faced extinction and won, while others are gone forever.</p>
<p>Our inability to ensure good ecosystem management is causing the extinction of more and more species each year. All species depend on each other for survival. It is important to not disrupt the balance that supports this circle of life. If we do, then we are actually destroying the world as we know it. While some of the things that are being destroyed may not seem important when thinking about them, each plant and species that exists in the ecosystem has value and importance.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Natural Ecosystems</title>
		<link>http://www.starttogogreen.com/ecosystems/natural-ecosystems</link>
		<comments>http://www.starttogogreen.com/ecosystems/natural-ecosystems#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 14 Jun 2008 04:49:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>TheGreenMan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Ecosystems]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.starttogogreen.com/ecosystems/natural-ecosystems</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The impact of development and the population explosion has caused almost permanent destruction of natural ecosystems all over the world. Thankfully, this has been recognized as a problem and measures are being formulated to counter the damage that has been done to the many ecosystems that surround each one of us. Human kind depends upon [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The impact of development and the population explosion has caused almost permanent destruction of natural ecosystems all over the world. Thankfully, this has been recognized as a problem and measures are being formulated to counter the damage that has been done to the many ecosystems that surround each one of us. Human kind depends upon these ecosystems for their food, shelter and clothes; therefore, proper management ecosystem measures need to be put into place as soon as possible.</p>
<p>It is important to note that the survival of the ecosystem means the survival of human race. This means that the many ecosystems not only need to be protected, but they also need to be restored back to their original state if possible, to ensure that the planet survives. Everything that makes an ecosystem, including the forests, oceans, seas, rivers, the rain forest, etc needs special attention today. Since this is a global concern, many countries together and separately have taken measures to restore the balance of the natural resources wherever it is possible, and as fast as possible. In this endeavor, advanced studies in management ecosystem and ecology have been put to good use, whereby the damaged ecosystems have been restored, while at the same time the economic and cultural connotations have been protected.</p>
<p>Drastic times call for drastic measures. Acknowledging the importance of restoring the balance of the natural ecosystems, new measures have been formulated and introduced in every country. The plan is to clean, conserve and regenerate. While it is very obvious that the earth could very well be destroyed unless restoration efforts are put into action, care is being taken to use only those that have shown the most promise, such as reduction in CO2 emissions, growing organic foods, forest conservation and so on.</p>
<p>While it is true that the road to recovery for the natural ecosystems will be slow and full of obstacles, it is commendable to see that humans have accepted and recognized the danger of continuous abuse and exploitation of the earth. The shift in focus from economy-oriented approaches to a survival and nurturing focus is of immense help. The conservation of forests, especially the rain forests, is of utmost importance, as is the balancing of other life-saving ecosystems, such as aquatic ecosystems, marine ecosystems, desert ecosystems etc. After all, we have no where else to go, so our survival as a race depends upon the survival of the earth.</p>
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		<title>Ecosystems &#8211; What Are They?</title>
		<link>http://www.starttogogreen.com/ecosystems/ecosystems-what-are-they</link>
		<comments>http://www.starttogogreen.com/ecosystems/ecosystems-what-are-they#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 14 Jun 2008 04:36:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>TheGreenMan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Ecosystems]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.starttogogreen.com/ecosystems/ecosystems-what-are-they</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[By definition, the ecosystems are a set of organisms that live in certain environments. For example, fish, algae, whales, corals and a body of water are part of marine ecosystems, while scorpions, cacti, rattle snakes, and sand form a desert ecosystem. This phrase or expression originates from the vocabulary of Sir Arthur George Tansley, when [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>By definition, the ecosystems are a set of organisms that live in certain environments. For example, fish, algae, whales, corals and a body of water are part of marine ecosystems, while scorpions, cacti, rattle snakes, and sand form a desert ecosystem. This phrase or expression originates from the vocabulary of Sir Arthur George Tansley, when in 1935, it was used to express the relationship and symbiosis existing between living and non-living things in a certain environment. As such, an ecosystem consists of two major parts, one is the living thing, which is termed as community and the other one is the non-living thing, which is called the habitat.</p>
<p>Wherever you go on the planet, you would encounter a number of different ecosystems, such as forest ecosystems, marine ecosystems, freshwater ecosystems, coral reef ecosystems, and so on. Whichever ecosystem you take into consideration, you will find that there is a very close relationship between the living and non-living community. The inter-dependence is so acute that even the slightest change in any of the participants within an ecosystem would result in changes throughout the bio network. This is why it is very important that balance should be maintained at all times throughout the system.</p>
<p>Today, you will find that most of the ecosystems that exist are changing rapidly due to the imbalances created by human abuse. It is the human beings who need the natural ecosystem the most, yet it is the same human beings who are destroying it by overpopulation, pollution and consistent abuse. Unless serious measures are incorporated, especially to restore the rain forest and aquatic ecosystems, which are some of the worst affected bio networks; it is easy to foresee that this planet, our terra firma, is heading for sure self-destruction.</p>
<p>Our planet is made of a multitude of ecosystems, each one forming a vital link in the chain that nurtures and promotes life. The ecosystems are so closely interwoven that the slightest deviation in one triggers change in another. The situation is such that it calls for urgent and concrete steps to restore the ocean ecosystems, as well as forest ecosystems, which provide the most critical inputs for life. There is need for measures that promote forest conservation, restoration of freshwater ecosystems and many others so the quality of human life will not suffer any further. This is an extreme situation that calls for extreme measures. Hopefully, we are all ready for it and this exceptionally, unique planet will be saved.</p>
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