- Joined
- Dec 4, 2011
- Messages
- 794
Knowing your footprint (CYPRESS MULCH)
Something I have consistently wanted to mention since joining the forum…
First let me say that I do not want to step on anyone’s toes and I can absolutely appreciate the challenge of finding a suitable substrate in which to keep exotic pets. I know in my own life, I have often contributed to negative-impact causes unknowingly and wish I could have been more aware at the time so I might have chosen different options. All I am looking to do with this post is to enlighten people who may not already be aware, not asking you to change anything or suggesting that your substrate choice is subpar (I have seen it work fantastically for others, but feel there are other options that work just as well). I have noticed that many forum members use and/or advocate the use of Cypress Mulch. I live in the heart of Louisiana, and every bag of Cypress mulch we turn out takes a devastating chunk of our native habitats, natural beauty and culture with it.
Louisiana’s cypress swamps are in SEVERE decline and Cypress logging is NOT a sustainable resource. Many areas of my state, and others around us, that used to be laden with beautiful old growth cypress trees are now barren due to logging for cypress mulch. Aside from the aesthetic wound, we have lost habitats for millions of animals because these gorgeous trees have knobby knees and elevated foliage that provide nesting areas and safe havens for bald eagles, black bears, great blue herons, alligators, snakes and of course (our favorite) TURTLES… just to name a few. Most can imagine what it would take to remove and mulch a 200ft tall, 1000 year old Cypress tree, so we are loosing the microhabitat created by the trees and also suffering from the destruction and pollutants left behind from dragging giant machinery into a once scenic area. Not only that but Cypress swamps are a huge physical barrier for hurricane storm surges, and as they recede or disappear all together the inland areas see a much larger impact from coastal storms, displacing even more wildlife.
Using Cypress Mulch in your vivarium, tortoise table or garden has an EXTREME negative impact ecologically. So much so, that some counties/parishes in Florida and Louisiana have set ordinance restrictions prohibiting the use of Cypress Mulch because of the ecological degradation of its harvest. Again, I am not trying to be an extremist or an alarmist- I just love the swamps and am sad to see so many in decline over cypress logging. I have attached a couple pictures of a beautiful protected pocket of young cypress trees (old ones have all been logged from this swamp, save a few with severe termite damage) so that those of you who have not had the pleasure of viewing these mystical trees in person can get a visual. And please, always consider the source when choosing a substrate.
If anyone wants to see further photographs, images of cypress swamp destruction, read about the ecological impact of this sector of ‘deforestation,’ or explore things you could do to make a difference, there are many great organizations trying to raise awareness including the Waterkeepers Alliance, and the Atchafalaya Basinkeeper.
Something I have consistently wanted to mention since joining the forum…
First let me say that I do not want to step on anyone’s toes and I can absolutely appreciate the challenge of finding a suitable substrate in which to keep exotic pets. I know in my own life, I have often contributed to negative-impact causes unknowingly and wish I could have been more aware at the time so I might have chosen different options. All I am looking to do with this post is to enlighten people who may not already be aware, not asking you to change anything or suggesting that your substrate choice is subpar (I have seen it work fantastically for others, but feel there are other options that work just as well). I have noticed that many forum members use and/or advocate the use of Cypress Mulch. I live in the heart of Louisiana, and every bag of Cypress mulch we turn out takes a devastating chunk of our native habitats, natural beauty and culture with it.
Louisiana’s cypress swamps are in SEVERE decline and Cypress logging is NOT a sustainable resource. Many areas of my state, and others around us, that used to be laden with beautiful old growth cypress trees are now barren due to logging for cypress mulch. Aside from the aesthetic wound, we have lost habitats for millions of animals because these gorgeous trees have knobby knees and elevated foliage that provide nesting areas and safe havens for bald eagles, black bears, great blue herons, alligators, snakes and of course (our favorite) TURTLES… just to name a few. Most can imagine what it would take to remove and mulch a 200ft tall, 1000 year old Cypress tree, so we are loosing the microhabitat created by the trees and also suffering from the destruction and pollutants left behind from dragging giant machinery into a once scenic area. Not only that but Cypress swamps are a huge physical barrier for hurricane storm surges, and as they recede or disappear all together the inland areas see a much larger impact from coastal storms, displacing even more wildlife.
Using Cypress Mulch in your vivarium, tortoise table or garden has an EXTREME negative impact ecologically. So much so, that some counties/parishes in Florida and Louisiana have set ordinance restrictions prohibiting the use of Cypress Mulch because of the ecological degradation of its harvest. Again, I am not trying to be an extremist or an alarmist- I just love the swamps and am sad to see so many in decline over cypress logging. I have attached a couple pictures of a beautiful protected pocket of young cypress trees (old ones have all been logged from this swamp, save a few with severe termite damage) so that those of you who have not had the pleasure of viewing these mystical trees in person can get a visual. And please, always consider the source when choosing a substrate.
If anyone wants to see further photographs, images of cypress swamp destruction, read about the ecological impact of this sector of ‘deforestation,’ or explore things you could do to make a difference, there are many great organizations trying to raise awareness including the Waterkeepers Alliance, and the Atchafalaya Basinkeeper.