URBAN LIFE SHAPING NATURE.

URBAN LIFE SHAPING NATURE. Urban activities shape the natural environment in paradoxical ways. Sullivan says that fires in abandoned cars have encouraged certain species of birds and plants. Two naturalists have published an article calling arsonists “New York City’s incidental restorationists.” Abandoned junk can be good for wildlife. An ecologist points out that roof material and plywood are great for snakes. Humans are also learning to deliberately improve the environment. Robert Moses created land by putting down a layer of garbage and then a layer of either (1) dirt or (2) sand. It was the sand that was a success. Sullivan says: “He unintentionally restored the coastal grassland habitat.” But now ecologists are intentionally using the Moses method (layer of garbage and layer of sand)f or restoration of shore areas.