A habitat is a unique combination of plants, animals, birds, insects, water, soil type, fungi, reptiles, and climate. The inhabitants are interdependent on the conditions in that habitat. If some of the conditions change, it affects the ability of the inhabitants to thrive. An invasive species may crowd out a native species. Less rainfall may reduce the number or type of plants available for animals to eat. Fewer insects may result in fewer birds who eat insects and fewer plants because they rely on the insects for pollination. Many species in the world are threatened by loss of the habitat they need to survive. It’s much easier to protect habitat than to restore it after it’s damaged, and there are people are doing both. At the bottom of the article, I wrote some additional description on habitat protection and restoration.
For most of us, the habitat and ecosystems we have control over are very small and have already been modified from their original states. We may have a small lot surrounding our house or an apartment with a balcony or the ability to install a windowbox planter. So what can we as individuals do on a small scale?
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Although I have significantly reduced the number of paper towels I use, I still use more than I would like. I just heard about a great idea. Get some lightweight terrycloth or other very absorbent cloth. You might be able to use old cotton towels or an old t-shirt if you have them handy. Cut your cloth into squares about the size of a paper towel and hem the edges so they don’t ravel. Keep them handy in a basket for use when you would normally grab a paper towel to wipe something clean. Keep a small bucket or separate basket next to the clean towels and put the dirty ones in the bucket to be washed. If you need to wipe up something really oily or greasy, you may still need a disposable towel or rag because it can be a fire hazard to wash and dry (in a heated dryer) an oily cloth towel or rag.
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