Do you think that these floating islands will help bring back or boost the economy in Cleveland?
What are the possible effects these islands could have have on the Cuyahoga River?
After the Cuyahoga River caught on fire, no fish or aquatic organisms have been able to survive. Do you think that these small stretches of islands can bring back the fish population and bring life back to the Cuyahoga River? Or should scientists be looking for a different method altogether?
I think that these floating islands will be very effective when we can finally get them going. By creating these floating islands, the aquatic system in the Cuyahoga River will start to change and improve. Not only will help the fish get food it will also provide them a place to hide from predators. They will also improve the entire ecosystem under water. The plants will be able to provide more Oxygen for the fish and also give them more food like bugs. This will be a great project that can get the Cuyahoga River back on track.
ReplyDeleteBy bringing back the Cuyahoga River, it might even boost the economy of Cleveland. By using these floating islands not only will we have a greener city, we will also be sustaining the environment. It also gives us a steady way to protect and keep the aquatic system of the Cuyahoga river going. Right now, the shipping channel is not only polluted but also not many fish is able to survive there. As people living in Cleveland, we have the responsibility to protect the river and help it get back on its feet. The economy of Cleveland in my opinion will also have an increase from this. Right now, we just have to figure a way out for these floating islands to work during any climate.
I agree with Isaac, that the implementation of bioengineering in the Cuyahoga River will definitely help the ecosystem. As soon as they find a design for the baskets and or mats that can sustain themselves through all climates, fish and other organisms will develop in those areas creating a healthier river. The environment will finally be able to effectively coincide with the shipping industry in the Cuyahoga River.
ReplyDeleteI believe that this project will not have a direct impact on the economy but perhaps it will have an indirect impact. Once this project becomes successful, if it is well publicized and marketed, may cause people to view Cleveland in a better light. The project of making the Cuyahoga green and more hospitable to fish and other organisms will cause Cleveland’s reputation of being the polluted city with the burning river to come to an end. This new view, along with Cleveland’s other efforts to make the city a nicer place (redoing of the flats and waterfront etc.), might cause the general public’s view of Cleveland to improve. People will view it as a nicer place to live and might consider taking a job here and moving to the city, which would definitely improve the economy.
I agree with Meggie in saying that the floating islands won’t necessarily boost the economy directly, but will help promote Cleveland as a “greener” city. Rather than normal tourists being detoured from Cleveland because it is known and ridiculed as the city whose river catches on fire, many more environmentally conscious people would become interested to visit a big city due to its desire to become “green”. Having a green area means a thriving environment/ecosystem for organisms and more tourists being attracted to Cleveland. Both of which will lead to a boost in the economy.
ReplyDeleteThe new islands put on the bulkheads on the Cuyahoga River should promote a sustainable environment for organisms to live in. With parts of the river that can keep organisms alive, such as plant life, aquatic organisms can increase in population as well. Not only does plant life thrive off these islands, they provide a habitat to live in and nourishment for the fish to live. Both protection from predators and areas to reproduce are supplied by the island plants. Oxygen put out from the island plants also allow all life forms in the water to breathe and the plants themselves can be eaten by some fish, fulfilling the needs for a fish to survive.
Even though the islands promote a sustainable ecosystem for aquatic organisms to live, the solution won’t fix everything overnight. It will definitely be a great answer to the population issue in the Cuyahoga, however. It allows many life forms to reproduce and actually stay alive consistently. Despite the essence of time for an island to help the ecosystem, it is most likely the best method to solving the problem of survival in the Cuyahoga River.
I agree that the floating plant islands and baskets will not directly impact Cleveland's economy unless they are being manufactured in Cleveland and being sold to other cities or states that want to improve the diversity of their bodies of water. Improving the river might raise property values for Cleveland because riverfront properties will be worth more since the river is clean and thriving. In this aspect it might indirectly boost the economy.
ReplyDeleteI cannot think of any negative effects the islands will have on the river unless they are not maintained or installed properly. I am sure that with all the research that is going on with this project this should not be an issue.
I also agree that this is not the only solution to the problem at hand. I think that in order to really help the river scientists should try and reintroduce aquatic plants into the river so that thre is vegetation in the water for fish and other organisms to hide in and boats will not have an issue getting down the river.