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Habitat and Home
Habitat
Habitat Conservation examines the relationship between habitat and ecosystem dynamics. Over the last decade scientists have made advances in their understanding of this relationship and this has had major impacts on their approach to nature conservation management.
In many habitats conservation management needs to take into account the physical dynamic processes such as the impact of air, soil and water as well as the biological processes.
Covering habitats ranging from mountains to floodplains to coastal dunes and rivers this text discusses:
A habitat is the place a plant or animal lives. Habitats are as diverse as the plants and animals that live in them, ranging from the driest deserts, to the tropical rainforest, to the arctic tundra and coral reefs. Most plants and animals are uniquely adapted to survive in a specific habitat, and if that habitat is destroyed, the plant or animal’s survival is severely threatened.
Unfortunately, human pressures such as logging, agriculture, fishing, and pollution negatively impact important habitats, including tropical rainforests, coral reefs, grasslands, and the highly productive areas of the open sea. As habitats are degraded, the species that depend upon them are endangered or driven to extinction.
For the Earth’s rich biodiversity to survive, these important habitats must be conserved. Habitat brings to development projects a diverse, highly skilled population base including Environmental Scientists, Ecologists, Arborists, Architects, Planners…
There's nothing like a glass of clean, cool water when you're thirsty! But water is not only refreshing—it's essential. For people and wildlife alike, fresh water means life—but supplies are limited.
The continued health and biodiversity of all living environment systems depends on the maintenance of high-quality habitat. The same areas that often attract human development also provide essential food, cover, migratory corridors, breeding/nursery areas for a broad array of coastal and marine organisms. Habitat loss and degradation are key issues facing coasts and estuaries around the country and the world. Habitat provides safe haven for all the users of the shores and beaches: for a goose and her young, and a healthy habitat for a crab as well as the little boy holding it.
But people aren't the only ones who need fresh water. More than 40 percent of the world's fish species live in fresh water, and about 12 percent of animal species need a source of fresh water. In the U.S., more than one-third of the species that are threatened or endangered inhabit wetlands.
Because of water's many uses, people have altered freshwater habitats more than any other on Earth. Dams block the natural flow of rivers, controlling the flow of water to towns, cities, and farmlands. Wetlands have been drained to build shopping malls and houses. Trash, chemicals, and other pollutants contaminate our waterways. In arid areas, like the U.S. Southwest, growing populations are soaking up the limited supplies of fresh water.
But there's good news. Many people have realized the value of our fresh water and are fighting to preserve rivers, lakes, and wetlands. By working together, we can try to make sure that people and wildlife aren't left high and dry.
We offers volunteers an opportunity to make an important difference in protecting, preserving and improving the environment for present and future generations, and promoting sustainable development.
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Home
Over the past seven years, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has consistently ranked indoor air pollution among the top five risks to public health. One of the most dangerous indoor air pollutants is carbon monoxide (CO). CO can be lethal, but perhaps more important, many people suffer ill health from chronic, often undetected exposure to low levels of this gas, resulting in fatigue, headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Another dangerous pollutant is volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which come from sources including building products, cleaning agents, and paints. One VOC, formaldehyde, can act as an irritant to the conjunctiva and upper and lower respiratory tract. Formaldehyde is also known to cause nasal cancer in test animals.
A Healthy Home Environment
A healthy home is well ventilated; free of pests, toxics, and dangerous gases; dry; clean; comfortable; and affordable. Good construction and maintenance practices can achieve these conditions, even in an older home.
7 Attributes of a Healthy Home
Dry homes minimize moisture and molds. Moisture and molds can trigger asthma attacks and other allergic reactions. Water and moisture also attract cockroaches, rodents, and help dust mites to thrive, all of which can also increase the risk of asthma attacks.
Clean homes have minimal dust and clutter. Researchers and medical experts have proven that dust sensitizes individuals and can trigger asthma attacks. Dust generally comes from two sources:
Nearly two-thirds of the dust in our homes is tracked in from outdoors, making a dust-free home a practical impossibility. However, we can reduce the amount of dust we bring in from outside by designing entryway systems to help remove dust from our shoes before we bring it inside. Filters for heating, ventilation, and air cooling (HVAC) systems are also effective in reducing dust particles in the home. Reducing excessive moisture and relative humidity can also make a home less inviting for dust mites. In all cases, it is helpful to build homes with smooth and cleanable materials that make it easier to remove dust and dust mites through cleaning. Clutter contributes to increased levels of dust by creating surfaces for dust to gather. Keeping floor and counter top areas clear, particularly near vents, will prevent dust from building up. While insufficient housekeeping can be a factor in dust build-up, an overcrowded setting also plays a role.
Well ventilated homes have systems to remove contaminants and allergens that can cause respiratory problems such as dust and byproducts from heating and cooking. These mechanisms include fans that exhaust to the outside and changes in air pressure to ensure the movement of air from the outside to the inside.
Combustion product-safe homes minimize carbon monoxide, which can cause death and more subtle health effects (fatigue, headaches, nausea). Products that can create carbon monoxide include cars in an attached garage (when the engine is warming up), gas stoves, gas water heaters, gas furnaces with a cracked heat exchanger or a leaking chimney, non-electric space heaters, and gas fireplaces.
Pest-free homes reduce the presence of pests such as cockroaches. Cockroaches shed feces and skins that can trigger allergic reactions often associated with asthma and other respiratory problems. Adverse health conditions can also arise when homeowners reacting to a pest problem apply harmful pesticides in their homes.
Toxic chemical-free homes reduce and eliminate toxins, such as asbestos, lead, volatile organic compounds, and pesticides. Some types of flooring and the adhesives used to attach them can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs). "Offgassing" refers to the release of gases during the aging and deterioration of a material. The Carpet and Rug Institute had created standards for low-VOC carpets and rugs (see resource below).
Comfortable homes make it unlikely that individuals will unknowingly take actions that can harm their health. For example, excess cold may cause people to use stoves and ovens for heating, leading to chronic and perhaps acute exposure to carbon monoxide. Humidifiers may be installed to relieve an excessively dry environment, creating extra moisture that can contribute to molds and foster the growth of dust mites, both of which are asthma triggers.
Our Partners
GVI-EN appreciates and devoted partners who make our work possible. We openly acknowledge their belief and support.
Join your hand with us for a better life and beautiful future.
Global Village International Environmental Network (GVI-EN) is a non-for-profit organization that seeks to actively promote environmental awareness in America and the rest of our Planet Earth.
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