[APWG] Altering is too kind, destroy not strong enough

[Scott Lenharth]

Regarding "render useless" - a Texas coastal prairie converted to a Chinese
tallow monoculture:

- is rendered useless to grassland-obligate pollinators,
- is rendered useless to grassland and savanna-obligate fauna,
- is diminished in biological diversity,
- is diminished in soil formation, water filtration, and other ecosystem
services,
- is diminished in forage production, and other economic values.

Was the ecoregion destroyed?  Yes, it is gone and no longer recognizable.
Are value judgements appropriate?  Yes, because the change can be measured
by multiple gauges of value.  Is an emotional response appropriate?
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