"We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect”
Aldo Leopold, the “Father of wildlife conservation,” was a philosopher, professor, forester, conservationist, and writer. He was an early and vocal founder of the concept of Environmental ethics, rethinking how Americans interacted with and thought of the natural world. His most enduring work “The Land Ethic,” written in his A Sand County Almanac has become an essential piece in environmental philosophy and ethics. “The Land Ethic” covers the importance of edge ecosystems, noting that edges-such areas as the brushy transition between a meadow and forest-are places where different species were life is practically bursting forth; species of flora and fauna appear in greater numbers, variety, and density than elsewhere.
This does not mean the more edge the better. The “edge effect” is a naturally occurring phenomena that requires time to establish itself and minimal interference. It is chock-full of life, but not the only source of it, and certainly not the only ecosystem to be protected. Cutting forests into smaller segments (via roads, logging, development etc) creates more edge but destroys the deep-forest habitats which are also essential. Habitat fragmentation is a global threat to seasonal and breeding migration, hunting territories, hibernation habits, and dozens of other factors essential to millions of species. The disruption of any ecosystem lowers the viability of survival of all species, leading to condensation of a system--loss of biodiversity. Reduced biodiversity today presents an existential threat to the whole planet.
The stewardship team here at the Maryland Sierra Club is working to protect these naturally occurring and essential edge habitats by defending them from invasive plant species. Invasives choke out natives, disrupting the natural balance of any ecosystem, from plants and insects all the way up to large mammals. Naturally occuring edge ecosystems, as particularly vital and lively regions of forests, are important to protect from these invasions because of the higher concentration of life. The reason is simple; a more dense population in a smaller region will yield a higher loss when catastrophe strikes. Much like a town vs the countryside being hit by a tornado, there is more to be lost in one fell swoop.
In Little Paint Branch Park in Beltsville, the woods along the creekside trail is a prime example of edge ecosystems in need of such defense. Ground Ivy, Mugwort, and Wavy Leaf Basket Grass are all highly invasive species with which the stewardship team is contending. Complete eradication is difficult to achieve and takes a long time, but the team has done excellent work in the past and this season in protecting the park and its vital edges. We like to think that Mr. Leopold would be proud.
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Read about Aldo Leopold’s “Land Ethic” Here
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For more info on the work our Stewardship team is doing check out the Invasive Species Corner on the Maryland Sierra Club’s Website
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Learn more about the dangers of habitat fragmentation Here
Heather Merrifield
Stewarship Outings Intern
stewardship.outings@mdsierra.org