Conservation or Preservation

Conservation and preservation are two tools for environmental protection. They are similar, and many people use the terms interchangeably. The term “conservation” is most frequently used, however. What are the differences, though?

First we’ll look to the federal government for the differences. The US Forest Service practices conservation, while the National Park Service practices preservation. Both agencies protect natural resources, but in different ways and for different reasons.

National Forests were set aside and are managed for conservation. For the most part, they are working forests. The resource (timber) is being conserved- managed logging that ensures there will always be a supply. Certain areas are off-limits to logging for various reasons such as habitat protection or recreation.

National Parks were created “for the benefit and enjoyment of the people”, and in the early days pretty much any enjoyment was acceptable, right up to feeding the bears. As we’ve discovered what damage we’ve caused to the environment, NPS cares less about having all the fun and more about preserving ecosystems and ecological processes. In this sense, preservation- protecting and maintaining the environment- is what many people see as conservation.

The environmental toolbox also includes restoration and enhancement. Restoration is returning a damaged or degraded ecosystem to its former glory. This is a difficult task and rarely achieves perfection because nature is much better at building a system than we are at replicating one. An example of a successful restoration project is at Washington’s Billy Frank Jr Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. The original coastal wetlands were diked and drained for agriculture. In recent years, the dikes were removed and the tide was allowed to reclaim its former marsh. Salmon took advantage of the new channels that formed. Shorebirds enjoy having a shore again.

Incoming tide at Nisqually's restored tidal wetlands

Enhancement makes improvements to a functional ecosystem. For an example, we’ll return to Washington and visit a tributary of the Nisqually River, the Mashel River. Also a salmon-bearing river, a coalition of public and private agencies put artificial log jams in the river to improve habitat for juvenile salmon. Large woody debris adds nutrients to the river and also creates slower moving, deep pools that give fish a place to rest and hide during flood events. The log jams also reduce erosion by forcing the water to slow down.

Engineered log jam on the Mashel River

You can see an area of calmer water behind the log jam

Even without owning lots of land rich with natural resources, you can still practice conservation and preservation. Conserve water, soil, fuel, and energy. Preserve or enhance the ecology of your property. Resources are available if you need guidance. Ask me for details! 

Salamanders and Newts

As promised, our species comparison series returns to the world of herps. A few weeks ago we looked at turtles, tortoises, and terrapins, which are all reptiles. This week we’ll explore the differences between salamanders and newts, which are both amphibians.

Before going into the differences between salamanders and newts, let’s have a look at the differences between reptiles and amphibians. Both are cold blooded and can spend time on land or in water. Reptiles, however, spend more time on land generally. They breathe exclusively with lungs (some turtles are the exception, because nature hates following a hard rule). Amphibians spend more time in the water, generally, and can breathe air on the surface or below water, using their smooth, moist skin to exchange gases in many cases. Reptiles have dry, scaly skin that doesn’t breathe. Reptiles lay soft eggs on land, while amphibians prefer to lay their eggs in the water, usually in a gelatinous mass.

Rough-skinned newt

 Just as tortoises and terrapins are turtles but not all turtles are tortoises or terrapins, all newts are salamanders but not all salamanders are newts. Newts are a type of salamanders that prefer to spend most of their time living on land. Some lay eggs in the water, some on land. Some go through stages of development from larva to adult, some are just miniature versions of adults. Some salamanders have lungs, some have gills, some have both, and some have neither. There is much variety in the salamander’s order, so spotting the differences between salamanders and newts is difficult. A general rule is to look at the skin. Frog-like skin, which is smooth and wet, is a salamander. Toad-like skin, dry and warty, is a newt.

Northwestern salamander (USFWS)

A third critter thrown into the mix, also a member of the salamander order, is the siren. It looks and behaves like the salamander and newt, but instead of having four legs it only has two. Sirens have flat tails that they use for swimming, moving it from side to side like a fish does.

Greater siren (University of Georgia)

Are you confused by all this? Don’t worry about. I’m learning right along with you. Fortunately for you, all these technical terms and differences are merely to satisfy your curiosity; for me it’s a career choice. We’ll wrap up this series next week and leave the natural world for the labs and halls of scholarly debate. This week’s information comes from the SanDiego Zoo.

Bison and Buffalo

The species comparison series has returned. This week we’ll look at the difference between buffalo and bison, an animal frequently called a buffalo. Both of these beasts are members of the bovine (cow) family.

Bison live in North America and eastern Europe. Buffalo live in Africa and Asia. The bison have larger heads than buffalo, and also sport a large hump over the shoulders, something the buffalo lack. The buffalo has larger horns than the bison, and overall weighs more. Placing the two side by side, the buffalo (both African cape buffalo and Asian water buffalo species) looks more like a domesticated cow than either American or European bison.

Bison or buffalo?

To tell the difference between the buffalo species, look at the horns. Water buffalo horns grow out and up. Cape buffalo horns grow down before arcing out and up, and look like a handlebar mustache on the animal’s head.

Water buffalo, native to Asia (Wikipedia)

Cape buffalo, native to Africa (Wikipedia)

The differences between American and European bison are more subtle. There are differences in the face, but it's not something I know how to describe. The American bison has a more pronounced hump than its European counterpart. The European bison is taller, while the American is hairier.

American bison

European bison (Free Nature Images)

Check back next week as we continue this series, going back to amphibian species. This week's information comes from Live Science.

Species of the Month

Easter has come and gone, but the memory remains. Last year we took a look at the cottontail rabbit and this year the Easter species of the month is currently filling our ponds and creeks with quacks but will soon be joined by tiny peeping sounds. Enjoy a brief profile of the mallard duck.

Easter ducklings with mother

Scientific name: Anas platyrhynchos

Kingdom: Animalia (animals)

Class:   Aves (birds)

Order: Anseriformes (ducks, geese, and swans)

Range: North and South America, Eurasia, north Africa

Habitat: ponds, wetlands, streams  

Lifespan: 5-10 years, oldest known was 27 years

Diet: plants, insects, worms, small crustaceans, cereal crops

Predators:  foxes, coyotes, birds of prey, humans

Conservation Status: no special protection

A group of mallards enjoying a warm spring day together

Mallard hen on the go

Other Information: The mallard is the most common waterfowl species in the world. They have adapted to life with humans, but still display a fear (which you’ve noticed if you ever tried to pet one in the park). They are dabbling ducks. Dabbling is what they do to eat- flipping head down in the water, tail up in the air. The females do the quacking. Mallards also make a sound that I describe as muttering at you under their breaths. Females lay clutches of 9-13 eggs in a nest on the ground. After hatching, ducklings follow mama to the water, never to return to the nest. However, there is always an exception to the rule. Mallards nested in a tree at my parents’ house, to everyone’s astonishment. Both male (drake) and female (hen) have iridescent feathers on their wings, and the drake also has an iridescent green head.

Mallard drakes, complete with iridescent green heads

Bottoms up! Dabbling drake

This week's information comes from University of Michigan's Animal Diversity Web. Species comparisons will return next week. Stay tuned and be sure to like Nature Minute on Facebook.