Dominant individuals secure territories on the natural area and younger individuals then move out as the area fills up with offspring dispersing from the nests. Prairie Dunes then receives these dispersing individuals and provides them a home if they can adapt to the smaller habitat patches and human activity of the golf course. Other species may use Prairie Dunes only as a stepping stone on their way to other larger habitats. Undisturbed, pristine habitats commonly are the choice of ecologists in search of knowledge about the machinery of nature. However, with the spread of urbanization, it is time for ecological scientists to also study human-dominated landscapes such as golf courses.
Many opportunities exist for helping developers make ecologically sound decisions.
Key Principles Providing habitats on human landscapes. Species diversity comparisons between human and natural areas. Landscape ecology and conservation biology theory. The McGraw-Hill Companies. Any use is subject to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy .