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Comment by MrMcCall | Hacker News Reader

Every old-growth forest should be protected and treasured. They are the well-springs of fertility that link the entire Earth back to our pre-industrial ecosystems.

And, of course, ground-working animals such as gophers should be valued for their role in helping to maintain the fecudity of the environment, whether they are ultra-polite or not ;-)

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I agree with you. By definition, recreating old things takes time. As stewards of this rock, we should tend to and protect what we have.

Alas, any forest in the path of a volcanic eruption is beyond our ability to protect (for now).

Perhaps one day, we will be able to do so.

If you RTFA, they said that old growth forests managed to recover from the eruption.

I did read the fine article, but the eruption there only deposited (high-temperature?) ash.

In more extreme eruptions that involve molten lava or other more violent impacts, you will certainly agree that protection cannot be offered.

Allowing the forest to face an eruption, uninhibited, is probably what will keep it old. Most of these truly old ecosystems have developed with natural disasters common to the area in mind. Trees have to function on a centuries long timeline.

That would be selfish and terrible. The most productive farming in the USA is largely because of previous volcanic eruptions. Similarly the water cycle, subduction, earthquakes, floods, fires, and carbon cycle are what keeps soil healthy and allows for nutritious food.

If you remove all that you end up with MUCH more energy intensive agriculture and an economic incentive to cheap out.

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