Ecologically Sound V.S Economically Necessary

Artificial selection, also known as selective breeding, is used in a lot of places, one place in particular is on the farm. Artificial selection is used to selectively breed animals for optimum food production, genetically manipulate plants in order to create the food we eat, and is used to economically benefit the food production process. Artificial selection is also used in breeding dogs in order to combine desirable traits through cross breeding different types of dogs. A popular example comes from the wolf to dog chain.


Industrial Agriculture

There are two types of agricultural methods that will be discussed throughout this blog. The first is Industrial Agriculture. Industrial agriculture is the method in which we grow most of our food including eggs, dairy, meat, fruits, and vegetables. In this method artificial selection is used to optimize the food production process so that it is economically efficient and brings us food at more abundance and less cost. There are many disadvantages to industrial agriculture, these include: Environmental and social costs, interferes with natural biodiversity, increased health risks from pesticides, depleted fisheries, and increased animal waste. one example of a crop that is created using this process is corn. Through selective breeding teosinte's (a type of grass) few fruit cases are transformed into many exposed kernels in corn. problems that arise from the processes are patents that are created to protect a certain type of product that was selectively bread for by an individual or group. All these process make the farm seem like a factory in which chemicals, fuel, and pesticides are imputed and chickens, corn, beef, etc is the output. The main goal is to increase yield at a high efficiency.

This process definitely has its disadvantages more specifically from selective breeding. a study shows that by selectively breeding dogs we have altered the structure and the position of the dog brain in short-skulled canines. This is just one example of the many specific disadvantages from the selective breeding process.


Sustainable Agriculture

Sustainable agriculture is a growing movement that has started about 2 decades ago. This movement boasts that this type of farming helps the environment by not over farming to deplete top soil, it does not contaminate groundwater, keeps family farms alive, and does not harm the social integrity of rural communities. This type of farming will bring jobs back to the rural areas, provide fresher produce, and let nature take control of what's hers. Sustainable agriculture supposters argue three main facts: Air, Energy, and Soil. Air is affected becasue many modern agricultural processes include release of chemicals into the environment and the heavy use of fossil fuels. Industrial agriculture uses a lot of non-renewable energy sources such as petrollium; this directly effects the environment and our planet. Lastly soil is affected through soil errosion if it is not taken care of properly.




Now think which is really more profitable? Personally it is hard to make the right choice in this situation because of the impractical yield of sustainable farming, so agricultural farming will have to do until we come up with cleaner methods.


Sources

1. Industrial Agriculture: features and policies



2. What is Sustainable Agriculture?



3. Industrial V.S Sustainable Agriculture
   


4. Berkeley Evolution Library: Artificial Selection
   


5. Has selective breeding reconstructed canine minds?

Blogs I Commented On

1. Anna's Blog


2. Cris' Blog

Humane Salvations: Species Translocation

Introduction:

It has been argued that humans are the most invasive species and we seem to leave our mark on nature almost everywhere. Through our ignorant acts we have made claims on nature that have caused many species of animals, birds, and fish to disappear completely. Human interaction with natural environment has resulted in many negative impacts on the Earth's natural eco-systems but some are doing their best to take care of the biodiversity of our beautiful ecosystems.

How we are preserving biodiversity:

Scientists and biologists have come up with many wonderful techniques to save species on the brink of extinction. One popular method is called Species Translocation. This method is used to save a population that is becoming endangered. Species translocation is used to improve the biodiversity of an ecosystem that will hopefully promote biodiversity in surrounding ecosystems over vast areas.

A delicate process; Translocation:

Species translocation is a process taken out by humans, not naturally occurring (with some exceptions) but rather it is an organized set of steps that will hopefully save an endangered species' population. What first happens in species translocation is a survey of the subject. The survey can consist of many criteria for the species such as survival methods, where they thrive, what they eat, are they heterotrophic or autotrophic, what is their life expectancy, what is their birth rate, etc. After this step has been completed and research has been done a sample is taken from their natural habitat where they are becoming extinct and are introduced to another ecosystem where scientists believe they will prosper.

Explained above is one of the three types of Species translocation known as Introduction. The other two types are Re-introduction and Re-stocking. In Re-introduction a certain species that was at one point indigenous to an area but is no longer is brought back into the ecosystem by accident or deliberately, through human intervention, to restore the ecosystem to its original state.

Lastly re-stocking is considered as a conservation strategy. When a species becomes endangered in a certain area the population is increased by introducing more of that species into the area so the population can begin to naturally rise.

Right or Wrong?
Many can argue that this is worse for the environment and that we need to step back and let nature do its thing when it comes to extinction of species and that we are throwing natural balances out of whack.

On the other hand many say if we don't do something now we won't have a chance to save these species later. And we are doing this professionally and it is being monitored so we know it is safe for the ecosystem so that other animals and plants will not be negatively affected.

land survey for plant translocation:

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3B1cYfgSHs8 (mussel translocation)

Sources:

1. The Introduction Method
2. Types of Translocations
3. Re-introduction of Indian Rhinos
4. Plant translocation
5. Is translocation tinkering with evolution?

Commented on:
Terrence's Blog

Wayne Law's Blog