Chapter 13, Problem 13.1CTDQ

To determine

If humans should try to restore biological communities to what they were in the past or modify to be more compatible with anticipated future conditions and the future conditions that an individual would consider to be most problematic.

Answer to Problem 13.1CTDQ

The restoration of biological communities as it was in the past when everything was in balance is a lot more difficult than proceeding toward the compatible future because it is not easy to create the climatic conditions as it was in the past. Conditions like air pollution, water pollution, global warming and large population are most likely to create problems in future.

Explanation of Solution

The process of converting a damaged ecosystem as it was before is known as restoration. A number of species become extinct when ecosystem is destroyed and the restoration process is difficult as recovery of extinct animals is not possible.

Restoration of damage that has been done to the ecosystem is a difficult process. A number of species havebecome extinct due to imbalance in the ecosystem. The restoration as it was the past is a lot more difficult than proceeding towards the compatible future because it is not easy to create the climatic conditions as it was in the past. Humans should learn from the mistakes that they have made in the past like cutting of forests, unnecessary hunting of animals and polluting water bodies.

Conditions like air pollution, water pollution, global warming and large population are most likely to create problems in future. Proper planning should be done from today for better future.