Dear Friends, et al., One should praise, in many ways, this interesting and worthwhile biological and environmental essay -- yet, it seems that one can expand it much more to include wider, panoramic, and deeper views. The mere thought of any "fences along
the border or any border" is horrible. I was raised in Mexico since infancy and have lived and done ethnographic, photographic documentation there, especially in the Sierra Madre Occidental, the Chihuahuan Desert area, and other places. I have been aware of the biological and environmental damage and degradation of Mexico and of the Mexico - US border and other sites. In this case, the destruction and damage began long ago on both sides "of the river" way before any fences went up, not only of the animal and plant worlds, but also of National Parks, Precolumbian sites, ad infinitum. The basic problem is because of "homo sapiens" and of its increasing populations and ways. At this moment, the Huichol Indians, their friends, researchers, et al., are having to deal with one of those mining companies, in this case, one of those "Canadian" companies that use, principally, the method called "open pit" mining.
This will virtually create complete havoc in the Eastern ritual or sacred site of the Huichol Indians (which is on the eastern edge of the Chihuahuan Desert); of course, the degradation of the environment was already happening, to begin with, but the "open pit" turn out to be devastating. This is not the only place in Mexico or on this side. There are other "ecological horror stories" that are happening in other places and this is because of humans. The true
and real reasons are hardly even discussed in academia, nor in the political world, nor in the mainstream media or culture. There are certain topics that are seemingly "taboo" for anyone to mention at all or very little also because of many reasons, some of them which are highly charged. In the long run, it is the humans and their societies who must decide what kind of world and life they want. I knew the old Mexico and some of the border area long before these days.
Your essay, at least, is a beginning, but not a definitive one. Its not the poor, little creatures and the plants who are at fault. It is us, our growth, and ways. Thank you, for giving others the opportunity to send a comment, as in many places there is not that freedom to speak out, respectfully, John Christian
Border Fences Pose Threats to Wildlife on U.S.-Mexico Border, Study Shows
July 12, 2011
AUSTIN, Texas — Current and proposed border fences pose significant threats to wildlife populations, with those animals living in border regions along the Texas Gulf and California coasts showing some of the greatest vulnerability, a new study from The University of Texas at Austin shows.
"Our study is the first comprehensive analysis of threats to species across the entire U.S.-Mexico border," says Jesse Lasky, a graduate student in the laboratory of Tim Keitt, associate professor of integrative biology. "The scale at which these fences stretch across the landscape is large, so it's important for us to also have a large-scale view of their effects across the continent."
Among the species at risk include four species listed as threatened globally or by both the U.S. and Mexico, and another 23 with small range sizes. The animals include the Arroyo toad, the California red-legged frog and the jaguarundi.
"We were able to identify a list of animal species that are most at risk and should be prioritized and monitored for change," says Lasky. "We're hoping this helps point decision-makers toward the animals to look at first when making priorities for conservation."
Most at risk of extinction are smaller populations of wildlife that occur in more specialized habitats, the study shows. Even animals that may appear to have large ranges may live in isolated habitats within those ranges that can be heavily disturbed by border fences. Human population growth along the border also poses threats to the wildlife.
Lasky says when the ranges of these animals are separated by barriers, including border fences and roads, the animals' ability to move is limited. The isolated populations are then more vulnerable to unforeseen disturbances, such as a hurricane or fire, which can wipe out an entire population. The isolation also increases inbreeding depression, which means the animals have limited opportunities to mix their genes with others and accumulate harmful mutations.
The study analyzed the ranges of 313 non-flying mammals, reptiles and amphibians and identified three major regions where wildlife is most vulnerable: the high human population areas of coastal California and coastal Texas and the unique "sky island" Madrean archipelago habitat in southeastern Arizona.
These regions have high numbers of vulnerable species. Some species in California have barriers that block as much as 75 percent of their ranges.
"The U.S.-Mexico border spans regions of extraordinary biological diversity as well as intense human impacts," says Keitt. "Loss of biological diversity can have negative impacts on the ecosystem services that are the basis of our life-support system."
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is waived from environmental regulations when building security infrastructure. There are about 750 miles of border fences and human migration barriers along the border.
The study, by Lasky, Keitt and coauthor Walter Jetz, an associate professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Yale University, appeared May 3 online in the journal Diversity and Distributions.
For more information, contact: Lee Clippard, College of Natural Sciences, 512-232-0675; Dr. Tim Keitt, associate professor of integrative biology; Jesse Lasky, graduate student researcher.
1. John Christian said on July 19, 2011