[General Hawkwing]

While not sure about changing the atmosphere and its affect on reproduction rate (not size limit), I do know that converting the climate will increase the reproduction rate on the planet.

To enter the debate on ease of changing atmosphere versus climate. Changing the atmosphere (exchanging gases) does not require reseeding of the flora or fauna. You are using tech/mech to change it and these machines would be run as long as necessary after the initial change to prevent any change back. What would you choose to reseed with? Being bound to one planet we tend to view space colonization within these limited terms of reseeding, using native earth species. However, why would 2 planets in 2 different systems have the same life forms just because they have the same atmosphere. There are 3 planet types also to consider. How would mean temp, gravitaion, humidity, etc affect the flora/fauna? No reseeding could not be viewed as necessary for changing atmosphere.

Now changing climate takes more than just exchanging gases, in fact it does not require changing gases at all. You are dealing with weather, (such as prevailing winds, temp and humidity), landscape (mountains, tec plates) and other planetary forces. Changing gases could effect climate, look at NASA and their thoughts of changing Mar's climate by loading the atmosphere with "Greenhouse Gases".


[This message has been edited by General Hawkwing (edited 08 January 2001).]