How can vineyards kill salmons?
All ecosystems are all interconnected and function in a large network like the Internet.
The imbalance of an ecosystem can bring the most unexpected effects to another. What is happening in Sonoma County in the U.S. because of the vineyards give us an example of this imbalance.
When planting grapes to make wine, vineyards’ owners are consuming too much water from the Russian River posing a threat to the coho salmon species. To prevent frost, the vineyards’ owners are using a method of spraying the plants with thousands of gallons of water per day. In tributaries rivers, some places are already dry.
The coho salmon species is suffering from the problem of water and many fish have died. On one occasion, 25,000 babies were dead fish!
To resolve the situation, the State Water Council which is responsible for water management is preparing water strict rules to protect fish. The owners of the vineyards are not enjoying the situation, especially because they think they care about the environment.
In summer, there are reports that the water’s level lows with no relationship to the weather. When the water level gets low in breeding sites there are no conditions for fish to breed.
The more vineyards, less water, less wildlife corridors and less biodiversity. Top plant grapes, trees are cut and there is less room for other species of plants and animals.
Wine is tasty, but we can allow damaging the ecosystems.
Source: NY.Times, Jacoba Charles