Restoration ecology

I think that restoration ecology is necessary and definitely worthwhile for our environment. I have always been conscious of the problems that humans have caused in the environment, but have always felt that the only thing I could do to help was recycling and not littering. Restoration ecology is something that everyone can help with, and it immediately shows you that you are making a difference. 

Restoration ecology has several benefits. It increases the productivity of the ecosystem, and also the ecosystems level of health. When we cleared the invasive species (and got cut up by their thorns) our progress was evident at the end when we saw the oak trees that we freed from the invasive species. Those oak trees can now grow more and seeds that are dropped from them have a greater chance of surviving, and then reproducing. The grasses that we planted were originally native to Illinois, and therefore would flourish in the bare areas that we needed to cover. 

Restoration ecology does have a down side, I think. Although we freed the oak trees, we also cut down a lot of other plants and trees that would've otherwise grown. When we scattered the seeds, I noticed that we were stepping and crushing a lot of plants. Those who don't agree with restoration ecology could argue that invasive species killing native species is the circle of life, or in other words survival of the fittest. 

Personally, I enjoyed this field trip. I think that not only the AP biology class and environmental studies classes should embark on this, but also biology and earn science. Kids need to know that we can do more than just the bare minimum to help our earth. 

It was crazy to find out how much the seeds cost for the grass needed in the wet lands. I thought it was awesome how much money our helping out saved. And in saving money crushing up he seeds, we also saved the environment! 

I really enjoyed the tree part, because I know that the oak trees are now in much better shape than before. It was really cool to be able to see the progress in just that short time that we were there. It made me think about how much progress humans could make if more people decided to help in restoration ecology.