Integrate

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INTEGRATE

TUM SUPPAK

BUSEY WOODS HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECT

LA 438 SPRING 2011

SUPPORTIVE STUDIES

History

Why Owls?

Aphids

Squirrels

in 1821 Diagram of what The Big Grove looked like

Snake Diagram of the remnance of the big grove in 1999.

Japanese Beetles

This is why we should at least try to save what is left for us to cheerish. The Busey Woods, a part of the remains, are in trouble with the construction dump and the raids of invasive species over the year. Now it is time to reestablish the infrastructure of the forest. Since the land development was established, Perhaps in the future, this part of restoration can weave the Big Grove back to the geograthe reduction of the forest land progressed severely. Shown above are the diagrams com- phy as another fabric along with the urban and agricultural blanket across Urbanaparing the Big Grove and its remaining between 1821 and 1999. Less than two centuries, Champaign landscape. more than 70% of the precious woodland was turned into housing development, farmland, and urban sprawl. The area we currently live was once called the Big Grove. It was where the oaks and other giant trees covering in thousands of squarefeet land. Tying the animals from different regions to come together.

Why Oak Trees?

Rats

Owls, especially Eastern Screech Owls are well known for controlling the populations of small mammals, reptiles, and insects. We have so much rodent problem in the household partially because the lacking of the predator.

The insects became the problem recently also due to the lack of birds in the region. The aphids outbreak in 2009 and the japanese beetle swarm in 2010 were also to blame. Introducing the owls back to the urban fabric will help preventing these outbreaks to reoccur.

Why Bring People to Nature?

Acorns are food for squirrels and other mammals

Branches are the spots

Environmental Education Model derived from Groenewegen’s article

Environmental Education Model derived from Renton’s article

long fly and for mating behavior Holes at the tree trunks accommodate different different kinds of birds

Community Exposed to nature Healthy and Happy

Shade accommodates animals and human during hot summer days

Want to make it

Holes in the ground accommodate mammals’ hibernation during harsh winter

greater goods

Dead branches and trunks provide moist and cool spot for salamanders and other reptiles ing wild flowers and creating rich and nutririous forest soils. It also helps soil creatures The roots stabilize the soil structure and improves water retention

Oak trees are generally good for an environment in itself. It creates good shade, make a good home for animals and offer food for a lot of them. Many birds use the tall branches of the oak trees to mate and to rest while flying for a long time. For ecosystem, the oaks play even bigger role. They improve water retention in soils, which accommodate soil creatures to thrive, bring in more aeration to the soil structure, hence greatly improve the soil quality. The

nutrition to specific types of beautiful wild flowers. The shade from the oaks also discourage the growth of some understory invasive species that might prevent the birds to find food and might kill the existing plants; thus the oaks help sustain the biodiversity of an ecosystem.

Children

Environmental Education Model derived from Emelyanova’s article

Exposed to nature Participate to improve nature Adults who contributes to nature

Adults Exposed to nature Learn the importance of ecology

Community work together for ecological goals

Ecological Sustainability Several studies had been done to proof that human needs an ecological sustainability to survive, and the nature also needs human’s changes of behaviors to sustain its stability. The three studies share some idea toward a sustainable goal. Groenewegen (2008,) suggested that the green space in living area affect human health and percep tion of the safety in community, so they willbe more likely to participate and contribute

to community’s activities. Emelyanoca (2011,) suggested that if the adults recognize the importance of nature, they will be more likely to help improve the ecology. Renton and Butcher (2010,) reported that when children are exposed to nature and participate in nature activities when they are young, they will be more likely to contribute to nature when they become adults.


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