ericbphoto
Overlander in development
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VAGABOND
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- Joined
- Feb 7, 2016
- Messages
- 15,336
- Reaction score
- 16,598
- Points
- 113
- Age
- 59
- Location
- Wellford, SC
- Vehicle Year
- 1993
- Make / Model
- Ford Ranger
- Engine Type
- 3.0 V6
- Engine Size
- 3.0L
- Transmission
- Manual
- 2WD / 4WD
- 4WD
- Total Lift
- 6"
- Tire Size
- 35"
- My credo
- In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
Actually, we are part of the problem. I'm not saying we're the whole problem. And I'm not saying we are right or wrong about everything we do.Mankind is not the problem (for once), nature is. Critters.
The human population is much larger than it was several thousand years ago. And, with our growth in numbers, knowledge and technology, we have played a huge part in changing the balance of the whole terrestrial ecosystem. By using natural resources, by covering land with non-organic things like buildings and pavement, which change the way water flows, by hunting certain species or NOT hunting certain species, by transporting plants, animals and insects to and from their native habitats, etc., we have changed things sometimes for better and sometimes for worse. We have interrupted many natural orders. They still work, but the proportions are off. So the results are different than they used to be. It all works together. You can't separate one part of the equation and say "That is the whole problem".
Think about it. Millions of acres of forest land in the US are covered in kudzu. Kudzu is not native to North America and has no natural enemy here. So, it grows rampant and kills many native plants. Changing the numbers of thos native plants changes the habitats for certain animals. So the numbers of those animals changes. As those animal populations change, so does the population of the predators who eat those animals. It's a giant chain reaction. There are many similar cases - non-native fish and reptiles that people have released, like boa constricters in Florida. When you open your eyes to the global "big picture", it is unrealistic to say that humans are not part of the problem.
So, the deer, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, aphids, Japanese beetles, etc. Are eating our gardens? They are just doing what comes natural. We have given them less forests and wild places to live and feed and we have upset the food chains that keep them in check and bleeding heart softies say "You can't hunt that." So, here we are. Yes, we helped create the problem we complain about.
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