Ponder the ecological and biodiversity importance of intact large parcels of forest
ecosystems compared to ecosystem fragmentation that inevitably results from
widespread and uncontrolled development (sprawl).
Then 1) tie biodiversity to how and why a conservation easement or conservation
land purchase is created and explain briefly what the advantages and differences of
purchased conserved land compared to conservation easements are to Maine ecology,
wildlife, AND THE ECONOMY, and 2) Comment on one idea that was new to you or
surprised you from the resources provided or that you found in your own research on
land conservation strategies.
Large intact parcels of forest are important for numerous reasons. Larger animals need larger
areas of forest, more territorial creatures need more territory to divide to maintain substantial
foraging/hunting grounds. Additional reasons include - is it morally right for us to capture and
utilize all the land we can for profit or personal gain? Should there not be some corner of the
world left untouched by us? Wait that’s not ecology or biodiversity. Anyway, with conservation
easements, in many cases it allows for land to be kept under much lower levels of human effect,
allowing for the species there to live under less human-caused stressful conditions.
Conservation easements typcially are private property but with limited owner’s rights, while
purchased conserved lands tend to be public but still under management and protection, like a
State Park. And the idea that was new to me was that I had heard of conservation easements
before, but had never actually learned what they are - what a cool concept!