Although many people now agree with the premise that human activities reduce the number of plant and animal species, few comprehensive analyses have been undertaken to identify and analyze the human processes that alter biological diversity. Among the human activities that have had the most significant impacts on plants and animals is agriculture. This project will begin an analysis of the ways that basic production of oilseeds and processing of those products encourages expansion of biological diversity through development of new hybrids while simultaneously altering the mix of vegetation within regions. The project will begin with a pilot study of canola (rapeseed) production in western Canada. Sources to be examined include histories of the industry; scientific and technical journals; laws and administrative rulings; standards published by seed companies, elevators, processors; and data on production, exports, prices, and other variables. Information also will be gathered through interviews with farmers, processors, and others engaged in canola production and hybrid development. This information will be assessed in order to identify the role of various human factors, including market forces, in activities that alter biological diversity. This pilot project will provide valuable new insights about a dynamic industry that exemplifies the ways that human activity can create and alter biological diversity. Of even greater future significance, it will enable the investigators to develop a consistent methodological approach for use in studying other oilseed industries in other settings, and it will provide them with an opportunity to identify information sources for other industries. Through expansion of this line of inquiry, comparisons will be drawn across a range of agricultural activities, thereby providing an enhanced base from which to generalize about the processes through which humans interact with the natural environment.
