Green Options

The January 2009 issue of Smithsonian Magazine reports that the spotted owl is in danger again. Once the subject of a battle between environmentalists and industry (loggers), this time the owl is facing a natural competitor, a bigger bird: the barred owl.

According to Craig Welch, the writer of Smithsonian article:

As climate chaos disrupts migration patterns, wind, weather, vegetation and river flows, unexpected conflicts will arise between species,

[...]

On Tuesday, the Bush administration slashed the critical habitat for the Northern Spotted Owl by 23 percent or 1.6 million acres. Spotted Owl populations are dropping by 4% each year due to loss of habitat and invasions by East Coast barred owls.  Critical habitat protection is mandated under the Endangered Species Act, and the reduction goes against scientific advice, yet caters to the logging industry.

Via: Truthout

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