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Fw: Value of prairie geoff' reply




>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Geoffrey Stanford <gstanf@swbell.net>
>To: prairie@mallorn.com <prairie@mallorn.com>
>Date: Monday, September 13, 1999 8:52 PM
>Subject: 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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>>
>
>

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