Activity 2.3.1 Ranchers, Anglers, and Beavers

 

Six-Point Critical Analysis of Current Event

My blog posting is available online at: https://envr1301-sergiotello.blogspot.com/2023/04/activity-231-ranchers-anglers-and.html

1. Exploratory

Probe basic facts and knowledge found in the reading and video. (What research evidence supports

_________? Type up several facts and basic knowledge from the reading and video. Relate this to what you find in other resources, prior activities for stronger scores.))

The BLM (Bureau of Land Management) use the acronym PFC to discuss the Proper Functioning Condition of a water stream. The BLM manages 248 million acres and is tasked with the assessment of the streams and streamside vegetation (Fesenmyer, Restoring Streamside Vegetation Using Grazing and Beavers). One of the main purposes of BLM’s management is to take the strain off of the streams and rivers caused by overgrazing, forest fires and other stressors. They tend to remove cattle from an area by fencing it off, this allows the grass and other flora to regrow.

2. Diagnostic

Probe motives or causes. (Why? (Tell your reader why this occurs. Explain the causes in detail.))

The reason the Bureau of Land Management spends their time fencing off streams and removing beavers it to make sure the environment will continue to function normally and so it doesn’t get depleted of natural resources. If the environment (specifically the river or stream ecosystems) has all of their flora removed it wont just affect the plants but it will also harm smaller animals that may life or also feed on that grass such as bugs. This becomes a great problem when a large number of animals such as cows feed on the area because they drastically deplete the ecosystem. By taking measures to block of areas that need to regrow, the BLM will protect the ecosystem as a whole.

3. Cause and Effect

Causal relationships between ideas, actions, or events. (If __________ occurs, what happens?)

If cows eat all of the grass (and other plant matter), waterside bugs will have no place to live. If beavers block of water ways, fish might not be able to migrate but plant matter in the area will regrow substantially. If the BLM fences off worn out river areas, plants will begin to regrow. If plants regrow by depleted stream areas, the ecosystem will be slowly restored.

4. Priority

Seek to identify the most important issue. (What is the most important issue?)

When large amounts of animals’ graze on important ecological areas (such as streams) they deplete the amount of flora in the area. When beavers are introduced into the environment, the dams they create help flora grown. The regrowth of flora in the areas around streams and rivers helps the ecosystem thrive. The most important issue concerning the BLM’s streamside restoration programs is stopping overuse of areas affected by large animals like cows.

5. Application

Probe for relationships and connect theory to practice. (How does this apply to you? How is this related

to culture as we have studied so far?)

The BLM’s programs will surely shape the environment into a more sustainable lifestyle. This will keep the United States green and protect from drought. They might mean that farmers will have to put in some extra work to get their livestock the water and vegetation they need to survive but in turn this will make sure that the plants their animals graze on stay plentiful in the surrounding area. Also, with more water and healthy vegetation, sandstorms and fires will be rare in the affected areas.

6. Critical

Analyze how this challenges your thinking/assumptions. (How did this change your thinking? Did it?

Why?)

I was very surprised that Beavers would have a good impact in the environment. I always believed that beavers were a nuisance that would stop the flow of water and keep fishes from reaching their destination but now I see that they have actual value to the ecosystems they inhabit. The accelerated recovery that the beaver gives to the environment makes it a perfect fit for these streamside locations while I previously believed that they would only cause trouble wherever they were. I have a newfound appreciation for beavers and their dams.

 

References:

Fesenmyer, K. A, Dauwalter, D. C., Evans, C., & Allai, T. (2018). Livestock management, beaver, and climate influences on riparian vegetation in a semi-arid landscape. PLoS ONE 13(12). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0208928

Fesenmyer, K. (2016). Restoring streamside vegetation using grazing and beavers. Trout Unlimited. https://www.tu.org/magazine/science/restoring-streamside-vegetation-using-grazing-and-beavers/