By Anonymous
3) Photo—Take a photo of the campus “human-environment” interaction that you are describing. For example, if it is a soda machine, take a photo of the soda machine. Include the photo in your Blackboard submission. (0.5 points)
4) Locate it on a map.—Mark the location of your “interaction” on the attached map with a red X and take a photo of it. Also include this photo with your submission on Blackboard so we will know where to place your addition on the campus map. (Please only select locations on Mason’s Fairfax campus—preferably that are easily walkable from our classroom.) (0.5 points)
5) Interaction(s)—Describe the human-environment interaction(s) that are the topic of your map addition. (2 points)
- In a suburban setting, such as Fairfax, there are many barriers separating areas of wildlife habitat from one another. These include roads, buildings, fields (such as sports fields on GMU’s campus), parking lots, etc. In Fairfax County, and on George Mason campus, the wildlife most likely to feel the effects of common barriers such as roadways would be those that spend most of their time in trees. Roads and buildings make it so that fewer, if any, tree branches overlap in these areas, making fewer paths for animals like squirrels to get around.
- For this paper, I have chosen the previous location of Robinson Hall as the focus of habitat fragmentation on gmu’s campus. As can be seen in the image above, this space is currently comprised of a mixture of grass/green spaces and paved spaces. This is a good example of gmu’s habitat fragmentation because this land could have been, and likely once was, forested land inhabited by local wildlife. Now, the land is being used for student recreation, and there is little plant material here. Nearby, there are large trees and areas where wildlife likely lives. This makes the Robinson Hall area a place of fragmentation by separating the forested land from other potential areas of habitat.
6) Resource characteristics—Describe the characteristics of the resource systems and/or units, e.g. the environmental side of the interaction. What aspect of the environment is involved? How? What are some of the critical ecological factors? Cite at least one academic source supporting your description (in addition to any course readings cited). (2 points)
- “These disruptions occur in local regions, but their effect 14 is on a global scale, resulting in loss of habitat, fragmentation, loss of biodiversity, and climate change (Balmford et al. 2003, Lindenmayer & Fischer, 2006)” (Fabien 2016). Habitat fragmentation can cause a variety of negative effects for the environment. Loss of forested land promotes erosion and increases pollution into waterways. “One primary cause of species loss is habitat destruction and fragmentation (Tilman et al. 2001)” (Krauss et al. 2010). Wildlife are left with fewer areas to inhabit and the areas that remain are separated by human development, making it dangerous to cross from one space to another. Furthermore, deforestation as a whole leads to an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, causing an increase in climate change.
- George Mason campus alone is not causing such widespread effects, however, any land that was previously forested that is no longer is adding to the problems listed above. For every space that is being used for roads, buildings, recreation, etc. some deforestation has occurred, meaning less habitat for wildlife and ultimately an increase in climate change.
7) Governance/user characteristics—Describe the characteristics of the governance systems and/or users, e.g. the human side of the interaction. Who is involved? What political institutions? How are they involved? What might be some of the drivers? Cite at least one academic source supporting your description (in addition to any course readings cited). (2 points)
Construction on campus is meant to improve student life and appeal to potential new students and staff. It is a political move to create these spaces. However, in doing so, the natural ecosystems in and around campus suffer. Even if new construction takes place where there was no forest, such as the recreational space now occupying the land where Robinson Hall was, pollution resulting from construction can enter the ecosystem and cause problems. “…lawn shall be used only as necessary for public gathering spaces and recreation, not as a general ground cover” (3.4 environmental standards – george mason university, 2013). As of 2013, lawns were expected to be kept to a minimum to keep more natural plant material and thereby provide more habitat. Personally, I don’t think gmu has kept with this expectation.
8) Social/cultural/economic/political settings or related ecosystems—Do any of the following play a role? [Social context] Cultural factors, economic development, demographic trends, political stability, resource policies, market incentives, media organization; [Related ecosystems] Climate patterns, pollution patterns, ecological flows in/out of the SES. (2 points)
Economic development: “Landscapes in northern Virginia, are also becoming fragmented by anthropogenic events such as the construction of roads, houses, and man-made lakes, and also resource extraction and agriculture (Lindenmayer & Fischer, 2006, Chupp et al., 2013,)” (Fabien 2016). Construction is a means to make money for some, and an opportunity to make money in the future for others. Building houses for example costs money that will be paid to construction workers and those that provide the materials to them. However, the person paying to build the house may sell it upon completion, so the purpose was to make money.
9) What can we do?—What are the implications of this interaction on humans and the environment? How could we do differently at Mason to improve them? Cite at least one academic source supporting your description (in addition to any course readings cited). (2 points)
“In its 2002 Master Plan, George Mason University outlined its commitment to employ strategies to efficiently use its land resources for development; promote a pedestrian and bicycle friendly campus; and strategically preserve its woodlands, wetlands, and waterways to maintain the campus image and provide for ecological diversity” (3.4 environmental standards – george mason university, 2013). Gmu sets up a good framework for minimizing habitat fragmentation and deforestation. However, I don’t believe they have kept to the Master Plan very well. If we promote these ideas and perhaps devise new plans as well, and get the community involved, there could be great outcomes.
Qthis issue? State any actions that are already underway or have been taken by the university. (1 point)
“established ‘ecological corridors’ following drainage ways, streams, and topography, that Chap. 3, Design Standards 3.4 Environmental Standards 3.4.4 Sustainable Sites 28 June, 2013 3-163 buffered development, preserved essential natural features and provided for a connective network of walking trails and bikeways” (3.4 environmental standards – george mason university, 2013). To try and combat the issue of habitat fragmentation on gmu’s campus, gmu claims to have multiple corridors in place for wildlife. However, I have not noticed any signs of these corridors.
Works Cited
3.4 environmental standards – george mason university. (2013, June 23). Retrieved April 10, 2022, from https://facilities.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/3-4-ENVIRONMENTAL-STANDARDS.pdf
Fabian, T. (2016, April). The effects of habitat fragmentation and habitat management in the Piedmont, Northern Virginia. MARS Home. Retrieved April 10, 2022, from http://mars.gmu.edu/handle/1920/10501
Krauss, J., Bommarco, R., Guardiola, M., Heikkinen, R.K., Helm, A., Kuussaari, M., Lindborg, R., Öckinger, E., Pärtel, M., Pino, J., Pöyry, J., Raatikainen, K.M., Sang, A., Stefanescu, C., Teder, T., Zobel, M. and Steffan-Dewenter, I. (2010), Habitat fragmentation causes immediate and time-delayed biodiversity loss at different trophic levels. Ecology Letters, 13: 597-605. https://doi-org.mutex.gmu.edu/10.1111/j.1461-0248.2010.01457.x