Entry #6

The eucalyptus tree should not be genetically modified and planted at test spots near FGCU. This verity of tree can be invasive as we have seen in Australia when we exported it from California. The tree requires a good amount of water which would have a negative effect on the local wetland ecosystem if it used a larger amount of water, especially in the dry season. They might also become an invasive species and spread, which would have a devastating impact on the local ecosystem. Not only will they use a large amount of water but they are fire prone due to the oil within, some of our local ecosystems require controlled burns to stay healthy and put nutrients back into the soil. These trees would be a fuel for the fire which would lead to bigger and wider spread fires. Also the trees will be home to many species which there predators might not be accustomed too, which could lead to an alarming increase in small species who are now protected and a decrease in those who know are looking for new food sources. Not to mention the pollution that would be spread into the local ecosystems.

At FGCU, I don’t believe reasonable cost effective steps can be taken to mitigate these risks. They trees like water and will use the water and will be in areas which water, which the run off from the pesticides used in these test sites would be impossible to stop. And some of the negative effects might not show up for many years. In my opinion the benefits do not outweigh the risk.