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Re: Value of prairie geoff' reply

robert, i quite agree with your frustration.  but we are living in today's
world, where few have ever seen a prairie remnant, can imagine its original
condition, can envisage its pristine importance.

who can place a value on something that has gone for ever?   this is a
philosophical question which requires an answer, both in general and in
specific.  i look forward to reading other peoples opinions, thoughts.

for an audience of professional biologists i might suggest that any one
pristine prairie ecosystem contains over 400 species of plants, comparable
numbers of fauna including insects, an unknowm myriad of soil microrgs  . .
.   but if an urban dweller says   'so what?'  what can i reply?

geoff

-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Wernerehl <rwernere@midplains.net>
To: prairie@mallorn.com <prairie@mallorn.com>
Date: Monday, September 13, 1999 7:41 PM
Subject: Re: Value of prairie


>I must say, although these references will be important, that it offends me
>somewhat that people even ask this question. Here was an intact ecosystem,
>covering a large portion of the continent, described by many early
>Europeans as beautiful beyond anything they had ever seen, and more
>productive of wild game than anything imaginable, and we have to wonder
>what its value is? Maybe I just don't get it. Are we that anal compulsive
>as a civilization? Let me ask you, what value is there in human
>intercourse, social or otherwise? Come on now, quick, put a number on it or
>I'll propose we destroy some more of it. Isn't that just as fair?
>
>Frustrated,
>Bob
>
>
>At 08:51 PM 9/12/99 -0500, you wrote:
>>    I'm preparing a presentation for a group of  professional biologists
>>and want to present information about the value of  prairies and am
looking
>>for some help.   If you are familiar with specific citations or
references,
>>I  would greatly appreciate it.   I have often heard that prairies convert
>>more CO2 to O2 than  any other ecotype but have never been able to find
the
>>reference. If you know of  it please let me know. Any information about
>>nutrient cycling, soil building,  water infiltration, carbon sinks,
>>biomass, any environmental benefit would be  helpful.   Thanking you in
>>advance, Jef Hodges
>Bob Wernerehl
>Sweeny Road
>Barneveld, WI 53507
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