Category: Ecosystem

Introduction

An ecosystem can be defined as the collection of living and nonliving objects in a specific area. The study of ecosystems is thus considered important because it helps us to gain an understanding of some of the useful services that enhance our well being that is provided by the environment (IUCN 5). Without this understanding, we can damage the environment following which the degradation would have a significant adverse impact on our well being (IUCN 5). This study is supposed to help in improving decision making within the location studied.

Methods

The location chosen for this study was a small area within a park. The park is located within a city and is frequented by many visitors daily for a variety of reasons. This location was selected first and foremost because it was easily accessible and did not require the researcher to spend too much money on the study. The area of the park selected for study was a grassy area with a few trees and shrubs.

To perform the study the researcher selected a random square quadrat measuring 1m by 1m. The quadrat was marked using pegs to indicate the boundaries. After identifying and marking the quadrat, the researcher noted down each species that was within the quadrat. After this was completed the size of the quadrat was increased to 1m by 2m and the recording was repeated. The quadrat was again increased to 2m by 2m and recording was done. Then 2m by 4m, 4m by 4m and finally 8m by 4m. This exercise was mainly carried out during the afternoon between 2 P.M. and 4 P.M. on weekdays. Upon completion of studying the first quadrat, the exercise was again repeated in another quadrat within the park.

Results

Following the completion of the exercise the data collected was tabulated for easier assessment (See Appendix B). Following analysis of the data on species and the density as the area evaluated increases it is possible to assume that the richness of species increases as the area studied increases (See Appendix C and D).

Biotic Components

Upon observation of the data from each quadrat, it became apparent that the number of species grew with the size of the quadrat. This is best observed by looking at the data in a tabulated form.

Interactions between Biotic and Abiotic Components

Upon observation of the data from the study, in the first quadrat, it was observed that the biotic matter was mainly composed of various species of plants. However, there were also a few species of ants, other insects, slugs present in the ecosystem. Alongside these biotic components, there were several abiotic components such as soil, a few rocks, and light.

It has been determined that biotic factors are living organisms and within an ecosystem, there is the interaction between both the living and non-living organisms (Enger 304). In the completion of this study, it is necessary to use the data to observe the interaction between various factors within the ecosystem. For example, to provide information on how abiotic factors affect the living organisms in the environment.

The first example of the interaction between abiotic factors and the living organisms is seen in the example of the slug hidden under a rock. Slugs are typically nocturnal feeders (Vessel and Hong 15). The main sign that indicates their presence is evidence of slime left as they glide along the ground. These organisms are very sensitive to temperature and can only come out to feed during twilight hours when the sun has gone down. During these hours these organisms find their way to their favorite plants to feed.

Upon observation of the ground in the area of study it was possible to note that the ants in the area had formed tunnels below the surface where they would store food, reproduce and perform other activities. It has been reported that in some ecosystems ants are responsible for seed dispersal (Gorb and Gorb 1). Based on research it has been known since ancient times that ants can be actors in the dispersal of seeds produced by plants.

Based on this notion the plants use the ants to sow their seeds in various locations within an ecosystem. This comes in light of the ant’s nature of carrying food from the source to their habitations (Gorb and Gorb 3). This also provides an example of how living organisms can affect the abiotic environment over time. This because the abiotic features such as soil will be used to host a new plant over time due to the introduction of seed brought by the living organisms. In addition to that ants also affect the soil by aerating it and allowing for increased water flow due to their burrowing activity.

Energy Flow in the Ecosystem

It has been observed that the metabolic activity of an ecosystem can best be understood by observing the individual metabolic activity of the individual organisms that make up the ecosystem (Krebs 341). In the hierarchy of feeding relationships, the primary producers are at the first trophic level (Starr, Evers, and Starr 711).

Similarly in the ecosystem studied the primary producer appears to be the grass that covers the park floor and the leaves of the various plants in the park. Just as in the above example the primary consumer in this ecosystem is the insects that are in abundance in the park. These insects include ants, beetles, and insect larvae among others. The next trophic level about the food chain is the secondary consumer.

Within the selected ecosystem these include organisms that feed on the insects mentioned in the previous paragraph. Some examples of secondary consumers in this ecosystem include birds and spiders. The birds fly around the park and eat berries from plants as well as insects they can catch. Similarly, the spiders have webs where they trap various insects for food.

Though it was not possible to observe any of the tertiary consumers in the park due to the brief time spent in observation it is assumed that they do exist. It has been observed that tertiary consumers are usually larger carnivores that feed on the smaller species living within an ecosystem (Toole and Toole 102). For example, within the studied ecosystem, likely, the presence of birds such as hawks would then suggest evidence of a tertiary consumer in the park. These birds would consume the smaller birds and even small mammals such as mice within the park. The food chain within the park is shown in the Appendix (see Appendix A).

Chemical Cycling

The process of chemical cycling is also sometimes referred to as nutrient cycling and involves the transformation of nutrients from one chemical form to another (Reshi and Tyub 177). In this process of conversion of chemicals decomposition is a very essential element. In the case of the ecosystem studied in this report, it was possible to observe dead leaves especially in places where the tree cover was abundant. In addition to this, there was evidence of occasional bird droppings on rocks and even on the benches.

On close observation of the dead leaves, it was possible to see that fresh leaves on the surface were dry while those below the surface were warm and moist supposedly owing to the beginning of decomposition. This condition was evident in observing small branches that had fallen from trees as some were dry and others had become moist and softened. It has been suggested that the main actors in decomposition are microbial organisms whose main function is the defragmentation of matter (Reshi and Tyub 107).

Conclusion

This report was carried out based on a need to evaluate an ecosystem. The report involved an analysis of the environment based on observation of the species within that ecosystem. Upon observation of the data analyzed it was clear that as the area analyzed expanded so too did the variety of species found. In addition to an increased variety of species, the variety of actors in the ecosystem also increased. The report allowed the researcher a brief glimpse into various aspects related to the ecosystem such as the producers and consumers within the environment.

Works Cited

Enger, Eldon. Concepts in Biology. Printed in the Philippines: McGraw-Hill Publishers. 207. Print.

Gorb, Elena, and Stanislav Gorb. Seed dispersal by Ants in a Deciduous Forest Ecosystem. The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers. 2003. Print.

Krebs, Charles J. The ecological World View. Collingwood, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. 2008. Print.

IUCN – The World Conservation Union, Nature Conservancy (US), World Bank. How much is assessing an Ecosystem Worth? Assessing the Economic Value of Conservation. Washington: The International Bank for Reconstruction and development. 2005. Print.

Reshi, Zafar, and Sumira Tyub. Detritus and Decomposition in Ecosystems. New Delhi: New India Publishing Agency. 2007. Print.

Starr, Cecie, Christine A. Evers, and Lisa Starr. Biology: Concepts and Applications. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole. 2010. Print.

Toole, Glen, and Susan Toole. Essential AS Biology for OCR. Cheltenham, UK: Nelson Thornes Ltd. 2004. Print.

The vessel, Mathew F. and Herbert H. Wong. Natural History of Vacant Lots. Berkeley: University of California Press. 1987. Print.

Appendix

Appendix A: Study food chart

Appendix B: Quadrats

Appendix C: AREA 1 Graph indicating the distribution of species

Appendix D: AREA 2 Graph indicating the distribution of species

With the increasing dangers of human activity on wildlife and nature around the world, the issues of ecological and ecosystem longevity and sustainability have become of significant importance. Understanding the particularities of distinctive biomes and ecosystems allows for identifying their strengths and weaknesses, informing research-based and policy-making decisions. In particular, this paper covers the tropical rainforest biome and Amazon Rainforest as an ecosystem to identify its keystone species, endangered species, and invasive species and their impact. The tropical rainforest biome includes areas with dense vegetation, continuous rains, and a hot climate. Amazon Rainforest is a large tropical rainforest area in South America, “hosting a high diversity of plants, animals, and microorganisms” (Pedrinho et al., 2019, p. 1). Overall, it is claimed that knowledge about the particularities of these species in the Amazon Rainforest ecosystem might be helpful in mitigating destructive processes and maintaining the sustainable functioning of the ecosystem.

The interaction between the biological components of biomes and ecosystems is essential since it predetermines species’ longevity and provides favorable conditions for their compatible existence. Amazon Rainforest is an ecosystem that is characterized by a great variety of species. An example of a keystone species, or one which plays a pivotal role in the functioning of this ecosystem, is Aechmea Distichantha. It is a tank bromeliad that dominates the areas of the Amazon Rainforest and successfully coexists with other species (Freire et al., 2021). The reason why this species is important to the Amazon Rainforest ecosystem is that it interacts with numerous plant and animal species, “including trophic and non-trophic interactions” (Freire et al., 2021, p. 286). Since it provides food and protection to other species in the ecosystem, this characteristic defines it as a keystone species.

One example of invasive species in the Amazon Rainforest Ecosystem is Vismia guianensis. This species is a rough perennial plant highly competitive and strong in its habitat (da Costa et al., 2019). According to da Costa et al. (2019), Vismia guianensis has invaded Amazon Rainforests due to the deforestation of this ecosystem for agricultural purposes. With its development, this species has become competitive with cultures and wild plants, thus obtaining a privilege in light, water, and nutrition perception, endangering the natural species. To eliminate the negative impact of this invasive species, public awareness and research have been initiated to find future solutions for protecting native species.

Deforestation and the involvement of humans in the ecosystem of the Amazon Rainforest endanger some species by forcing their probable extinction. One of the examples of endangered species of the analyzed ecosystem is Lontra longicaudis. According to Rheingantz et al. (2021), this is a Neotropical Otter species found predominantly in the habitats of South America. The species is endangered by the ecological problems of deforestation, pollution, and natural resource extraction. Research efforts have been applied to identify the causes of endangerment and possible solutions.

In conclusion, the tropical forest biome and the Amazon Rainforest ecosystem are large areas of the planet that have their particular species that coexist and enable the ecosystem’s functioning. It has been identified that one of the keystone species of the Amazon Rainforest is Aechmea distichantha, the invasive species is Vismia guianensis, and the endangered species is Lontra longicaudis. This evidence suggests prioritizing measures for protecting the endangered and keystone species to mitigate negative impacts and ensure sustainable development of the ecosystem.

References

da Costa, W. A., de Lima, C. E. P., de Sousa, S. H. B., de Oliveira, M. S., Bezerra, F. W. F., da Cruz, J. N., Silva, S. G., Cordeiro, R. M., Rodrigues, C. C., de Carvalho, A. R. B., Bezerra, P. N., Sarges, P. A. A., Pereira, D. S., Filho, A., & de Carvalho Junior, R. N. (2019). Invasive species in the Amazon.

Freire, R. M., Montero, G. A., Vesprini, J. L., & Barberis, I. M. (2021). Review of the interactions of an ecological keystone species, Aechmea distichantha Lem. (Bromeliaceae), with the associated fauna. Journal of Natural History, 55(5-6), 283-303.

Pedrinho, A., Mendes, L. W., Merloti, L. F., Da Fonseca, M. D. C., Cannavan, F. D. S., & Tsai, S. M. (2019). Forest-to-pasture conversion and recovery based on an assessment of microbial communities in Eastern Amazon rainforest.FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 95(3), 1-10.

Rheingantz, M. L., Rosas-Ribeiro, P., Gallo-Reynoso, J., Fonseca da Silva, V. C., Wallace, R., Utreras, V., & Hernández-Romero, P. (2021). Lontra longicaudis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2021.

The laws of thermodynamics

Thermodynamics is defined by two basic laws. The first law, also referred to as the law of conservation of energy, proclaims that energy cannot be created as well as it cannot be destroyed. Energy can only take different forms. This means that ultimately total energy remains constant in the universe. The second law states that energy changes result in a rise in entropy within an isolated system. Entropy is a measure of energy dispersal. A system is at equilibrium if it reaches maximum energy dispersal. The entropy of a system will constantly increase until this state is reached.

The source of energy for most of the world’s producers

Producers are self-sustaining organisms due to the fact that they produce their own food by a process, called photosynthesis. The fundamental source of energy for these producers is solar energy (the sun). Photosynthetic organisms use sunlight to convert water and carbon (IV) oxide, in the presence of chlorophyll, into food.

What would happen if there was no new energy added to an ecosystem or if nutrients stopped being recycled?

Life is manifested by the changes in energy and the ecosystem is, therefore, existent by a virtue of a continuous flow of energy that is being transmitted through the chain of food. Energy and nutrients are transferred through the food chain when one living organism feeds on another one. If no new energy is added or nutrients stop being recycled, then an inevitable effect is the death of living parts of the ecosystem. Lack of energy leads to stunted growth and poor reproduction or even death of producers. This, in turn, leads to the death of primary consumers due to the lack of food. Ultimately, secondary and tertiary consumers die. Flora and fauna die in due course.

The food web, the food pyramid, and the food chain of an ecosystem

A food chain is defined as the manner in which organic matter and energy move from the producer to decomposers through consumers. It shows how each organism obtains food and usually starts with producers (plant life), ending with animal life. Decomposers are considered to be the final link and they have the role of breaking down dead organisms. A food web is a construct of several food chains. Generally, most animals belong to more than one food chain. Animals may feed on several different foods, hence complicating the food web.

An ecological food pyramid is a summary of energy or matter contained in each food level within a food chain or food web. An ecological pyramid can be divided into a pyramid of numbers (which is the number of organisms in each trophic level), and a pyramid of biomass (which is a representation of the amount of energy contained in biomass).

A food web of a grassland ecosystem

The main source of energy in an ecosystem

Essentially, the main source of energy in an ecosystem is solar energy (sun). Autotrophic organisms (self-sustaining) use solar energy to produce energy-rich carbohydrates, which are then used by producers to maintain their life processes. Organic matter sustains the consumers and equally the decomposers. Therefore, solar energy sustains the entire ecosystem through energy flow. The primary energy source that supports any ecosystem is the sun.

Acute risks and balance in the ecosystem

Acute risks are the risks that are associated with chemical substances on the ecosystems or humans, but based on the short term. Acute risks may affect the lives of human beings and organisms in the ecosystem. Generally, acute risks are based on the short term effects, which may lead to decrease in the number of organisms in the ecosystem. Decreased number of organisms in the ecosystem leads to ecological imbalance, which affects the survival of organisms in the environment. Secondly, acute risks may lead to increased disease infection among human beings. This can lead to reduced quality of life. The quality of life is determined by the ability of man to cope with infectious diseases in the environment (Jeffries, McClean, & Brown, 2009). Although the acute risks are harmful to the lives of human beings and organisms in the ecosystem, it can assist in ecological balance. The ecosystem can balance if the numbers of organisms are able to feed on the available food without strain. Moreover, an organization should not over-depend on specific organisms for food. Therefore, through compromising the life of organisms in the ecosystem, acute risks are able to control the number of organisms in the ecosystem and balance it effectively (Gurjar, Molina, & Ojha, 2010).

Morbidity & mortality and balance in the ecosystems

Determination of the morbidity and mortality rate is important towards ensuring a balanced ecosystem. The ecosystem must balance to ensure that the lives of all organisms in the ecosystem are not threatened. There are several methods that are used to calculate the mortality and morbidity rate in an environment. The most common method is dose-effect. The dose-effect method is used to determine the mortality and morbidity rate by subtracting both. Furthermore, this relationship is used to forecast on the expected number of organisms in the environment in case of an outbreak of any disease and expected change in population in case of any factor that may lead to increase in population. Therefore, this method considers the factors that may lead to population increase and those that may lead to decrease in population (Jeffries, McClean, & Brown, 2009).

The dose-effect relationship is an important and advantageous method that can be used to forecast on the expected population increase or decrease. However, this method is faced with other setbacks such as biases and lack of determination of the exact number in a population that individual factors may affect in an ecosystem. Therefore, the method is not appropriate for use among densely populated ecosystem. Moreover, it is based on mere assumptions without proving facts (Gurjar, Molina, & Ojha, 2010).

References

Gurjar, B. R., Molina, L. T., & Ojha, C. S. (2010). Air Pollution: Health and Environmental Impacts. New York: Taylor & Francis Group.

Jeffries, D., McClean, F., & Brown, L. (2009). Environmental Pollution and Health Impacts. London: Cengage Learning.

The first law of thermodynamics is the same as the law energy conservation. The rules of this law include that energy is transferable from one system to another in various status. Another rule of this law is that energy is not destroyable and nobody who have the capability of creating it.

Another rule of this law is that the entire amount of energy available in the space is constant . The second law of thermodynamics also has some rules. For instance, heat cannot be transmitted from a cool to a hot object. Depending on this rule, there must be some natural processes to transmit energy towards one direction.

The natural processes to be involved should be irrevocable. Through the applications of the second law of thermodynamics, some things in the space are becoming less important such as the energy and other substances.

For life to exist in the rainforest ecosystem, energy is moved from one living form to another. Energy is transmitted in the ecosystem from one tropic point to the other. In most cases, the energy pyramid in an ecosystem is similar to the food pyramid. The population of the organisms in a certain point depends on the level of the energy pyramid.

The lower the level of the energy pyramid, the higher the number of the organisms. In the circumstances of a rainforest ecosystem, the primary producers occupy the bottom of the energy pyramid. The major source of energy in the space is the sun that provides solar energy.

In the rainforest ecosystem, through the energy from the sun, primary producers manufacture carbohydrates through the process of photosynthesis. The raw materials used in the process of photosynthesis are mainly water and carbon dioxide, to manufacture food for the plants.

The primary producers in the rainforest ecosystems are the green plants both big and small. The main primary consumers that depend solely on the work of the primary producers for food are the animals that feed on green vegetations for instance, cows, grasshoppers etc.

In the rainforest ecosystem, both the secondary and the tertiary consumers are mainly found in the third and the fourth trophic levels. Secondary consumers include frogs and lizards, while tertiary consumers are fresh eaters like leopards that feed on secondary consumers.

The transmission of energy from one level to the other is not always 100% as the biggest percentage of energy is lost through the heat. The last groups of organisms that exist in the rainforest ecosystem are the detritivores, which feed on dead and decayed living and non-living things. Their main great role within the ecosystem is to clean up the environment.

In the rainforest ecosystem, the major nutrients are stored in the growing vegetation, dead plants, and in the decaying matters. During the time when the organic matters are decaying, after the decomposition the nutrients are recycled so fast and very few of them are left in the soil .

The presence of the decomposers in the soil like bacteria and fungi makes the process of decomposing matters so fast.

The living organisms absorb the nutrients quickly when organisms die and decompose. In the rainforest ecosystem, when vegetables and plants die, they decay and decompose so fast, and the nutrients obtained after decomposition are broken down and immediately absorbed by the living plants and the cycle continues. Decayed legumes and other plants remains constitute 40 teragrams of nitrogen in the soil.

Several human activities have interfered with the nutrient cycles. Some of the activities include fossil fuels combustion, and application of artificial fertilizers in the soil. Apart from the natural ways of enriching the soil, human beings have tried to use other means of doing the same. Human beings have also gotten involved in burning the bushes, an act that violates the nutrient cycle completely as it kills the decomposers and other living organisms.

Reference

Gordon, D., & Murphy, K. (2007). Ecosystems. New York: Routledge.

Summary

This report is on how urban systems interrelate with the surrounding regions. According to the report, the effects of urban establishments are often misrepresented as damaging to the surrounding eco-systems. This is because if people moved towards rural areas, these effects would only be dispersed but not reduced. The report cites poor urban development management as the main destructor of eco systems.

On the relationship between urban systems and rural lands, the article notes that urban development alters the rural settings. An example of how the development of urban Chicago changed eco systems is used to drive this point home.

Primarily, urban development changes the demands on the land. For example, demand for agricultural products may result in overuse of land. The research also points out that some urban development can have a positive impact on the eco systems. For instance, urban developments in desert areas can reduce the effects of desertification.

The article also explores the interrelation between water systems and urban development. Water sources benefit urban development in two ways; providing a means of transport and meeting an area’s water demands. Water demands for urban areas can interrupt natural water flows albeit unintentionally.

The article points out at factors that may influence this interrelationship. These include how the demand for water changes the upstream water flow, how usual upstream demands affect urban developments downstream, and how upstream urban development affects those in the downstream.

According to this research, it is no longer mandatory to put up an urban development only close to a water source. Water for urban use can be sourced from far. The eco system of coastal areas is worst affected by urban development because it encompasses dunes, wetlands, and coral reefs. The positive thing about urban development is that it makes it easier to recycle water and avoid pollution.

The research also covers the eco system pressures created by urban systems. It is observed that a twentieth century urban development affects eco system pressures even beyond its geographical scope.

The main burden to eco systems is the pressure imposed by the consumption and waste management required to support the lifestyles of the affluent urban dwellers. Increased trade in urban areas also contributes to these eco system pressures. In addition, urban systems are more exposed to global warming effects.

The report also addresses issues of ecological footprints and urban sustainability multiplier. Ecological footprint refers to the amount of pressure imposed on the eco system by a certain population. This measure allows effects of different urban developments to be compared.

Population, living standards, effectiveness of resource management, and an area’s productivity are all determinants of the size of ecological footprint. Research indicates that the ecological footprint of modern cities is about two times higher than that of the rest of their geographical surroundings.

Urban sustainability multiplier refers to the energy and material requirements necessary to keep an urban establishment running. Several factors contribute to the urban sustainability multiplier.

These include; dense populations, lower costs of amenities, availability of multiple family dwelling units, recycling abilities among others. All these factors are determinants of urban sustainability multiplier.

Literature Review

This article was jointly authored by various renowned scholars and published under the center for sustainability studies initiative. The article is a study that provides a simple framework for accounting global and national natural capital.

It uses a method that was employed in Italy. This method tracks an economy’s energy and resource output with the aim of translating the area’s biological productivity. Through such a framework, the human consumption can be correlated with national or global level production using ecological footprint measure as a base.

According to the article, sustainability is now a main priority for national governments. A nation’s ecological footprint is calculated as the impact a nation’s population survival has on natural capital. This is in terms of areas of production and waste management.

This study accounts for the national footprint of fifty-two countries that account for eighty percent of the world’s population, and produce ninety-five per cent of the world’s GDP. The data used was collected in the year 1993.

The study’s results indicate that the amount of pollution caused by bio chemical fuel use is not counteracted. This is because there is no adequate green cover to absorb the emitted carbon dioxide. The study also found out that nearly almost all viable arable land is under cultivation.

In addition, out of the total five point one billion hectares of land, the wooded part is only one point seven billion. This translates into an average of zero point nine hectares per person. The findings present a glimpse of just how much eco can be assigned to each global citizen.

These show that each citizen has around two point three hectares of land. This area is also supposed to support thirty million other different species. The limitations of this study included incomplete and inconsistent data sourced from the United Nations.

The article concludes by reiterating that this is a cheap and effective means of conducting a capital appraisal for any country. However, the article notes that this is not a way to measure the quality of life for any population.

Works Cited

Wackernagel, Matthis et al. “National Natural Capital Accounting with the Ecological Footprint Concept.” Ecological Economics 29 (1999): 375–390. Print.

Prairie dogs play an extremely significant role in the habitats in which they are found. The fact that they graze, dig holes and consume grass all contribute directly and indirectly to the degradation of grasslands. The figure below indicates their ecosystem behavior.

Keystone species significantly impact the ecosystem in which they are located. If they were to become extinct, the surrounding environment would undergo significant shifts due to impact. Traveling to different locations and communities is impossible because there are so many of them (NPS.gov (U.S. National Park Service), 2015). Examples of prairie dogs include the black-tailed prairie dog, Mexican prairie dog, Utah prairie dog, white-tailed prairie dog, and Gunnison’s prairie dog. These tiny insects create intricate passageways and tunnels deep within the earth. Even though many people view them as an annoyance, they play an extremely significant role. Because of the damage they cause to the natural world, these professionals are called “environmental engineers.” Water can enter underground tunnels through the tunnel openings or cracks that form when it rains. Drainage may improve if water is allowed to enter the water table. Therefore, there is a reduction in the amount of water lost from the surface. Because of this, there will be less surface erosion over time, which benefits the ecosystem’s health.

The Utah prairie dog, Gunnison prairie dog, white-tailed prairie dog, and Mexican prairie dog are the four most common varieties of prairie dogs (Russell Tripp & Rocke, 2019). Because they prefer to consume plants that are low to the ground, owls can forage in areas that would ordinarily support the growth of tall plants. Grazing, directly and indirectly, affects grasslands because of how animals nourish grasslands.

Reference

Russell, R. E., Tripp, D. W., & Rocke, T. E. (2019). Differential plague susceptibility in species and populations of prairie dogs. Ecology and Evolution, 9(20), 11962-11971. Web.

This paper aims at describing the impact of tourism on the ecosystem. This paper will begin by defining tourism and the ecosystem. Thereafter, it will give examples of how tourism affects the ecosystem. This paper will then sum up its discussion by providing a number of recommendations.

According to Jax, “an ecosystem is a community of living organisms together with the physical processes which occur within an environment” (20). On the other hand, Tourism, according to Goeldner, “arises from the movement of people to and their stay in, various destinations” (10).

Goeldner defines tourism as “the temporary, short term movement of people to destinations outside the places where they normally live and work, and their activities during their stay at these destinations; it includes movement for all purposes as well as day visits or excursions” (10).

Basically, tourism occurs in two forms: “the journey to the destination and the stay including the activities at the destination” (Goeldner 10). It is important to note that the journey and the stay take place in an area distant from the normal place of work or stay. Tourists usually engage in activities which are different from those done while at work or at home.

The interaction between humans and the ecosystem has contributed to various changes in the ecosystem. Tourism, which is a popular human activity, continues to change the ecosystem. However, detecting changes in the ecosystem, which have been caused by tourism can be challenging. The impact of tourism on the ecosystem is not only hard to predict, but also hard to detect.

In addition, environmentalists find it challenging to distinguish between those components of change which are part of a natural process and ecosystem dynamics, and those which are as a result of human activities. It is important to understand how tourism affects the ecosystem in order to sustain the ecosystem function and prevent irreparable damage to the biosphere.

The impact of tourism on the ecosystem is usually evaluated in terms of an ecological footprint. An ecological footprint, according to Johnson, “examines the amount of natural resources required to support a specific type of behavior, business or process” (2). Experts argue that many people tend to consume more when they are on vacation or holiday thus tourism heightens this phenomenon (Johnson 1).

A number of studies have highlighted that the ecological footprint of tourists in various tourist destinations is same as that of the locals. Environmentalists hold the opinion that when arrival transport is put into consideration, this ecological footprint escalates. Tourism is a major foreign exchange earner for many countries across the globe.

Although, tourism is a major source of income for many countries, it has been found that it exerts indirect and direct pressure on species and habitats and, as a result, tourism poses a significant threat to the ecosystem. As mentioned earlier, people tend to consume more when they are on vacation.

Thus, Johnson notes that the negative effects of tourism on the ecosystem are likely to increase in tourist destinations where tourists consume more than the local communities (1). A study was conducted recently in Cape Town, South Africa, to evaluate the ecological footprint of tourists in this region.

Cape Town is a popular tourist destination in South Africa and it is believed that close to 50 000 tourists visit this town per year. As a result, the local population is increased by 4 percent. During the study, the researchers “gathered data on arrival transport, on food and fibre consumption, on accommodation, on land use, utilities and waste, on local transport and on activities of tourists on holiday in Cape Town” (Science Direct 1).

The researchers found out that arrival transport contributes 75 per cent of the total tourist impact on ecosystem. The study revealed that “the total impact of one tourist is 45.67gha/per year” (Science Direct 1).

Tourist activities often alter the aquatic habitat by interfering with predator prey interactions. Ecotourism Today argues “off highway vehicles, including all terrain vehicles, Argos, dirt bikes, and off road vehicles, driven trough or across steams and other water bodies can lead to habitat destruction and degradation, including loss of stream bank stability and erosion” (5).

Aquatic habitat is likely to be distorted by pollution and alterations in the neighboring habitats. Ecotourism Today (1) agues “while recreational activities that take place in lakes, streams, wetlands, and their riparian areas are most likely to negatively impact the aquatic environment, land based activities can also impact the environment” (Ecotourism Today 1).

Ecotourism Today indicates that tourist activities such as fishing and hunting of sea animals often lead to the decline in the pollution of aquatic species (Ecotourism Today 5).

Environment protectionists warn that the growth of tourism around the globe has overlooked concerns of increasing ecological resource use (Johnson 2). These claims have been boosted by results from recent studies which indicate that tourist attraction sites and infrastructures are sites of resource overconsumption.

For example, a recent study was conducted in the Bahamas to evaluate the impact of tourism on ecosystem. The study collected data “on bioreproductive land, Bioreproductive Sea, built land, energy land, and area for biodiversity” (Johnson 6).

During the study, “the ecological footprint of each resort was broken into a number of key areas of ecological impact; air travel, waste, food, and hotel energy use” (Johnson 6). The study revealed that tourism has a total impact of a 56.89 gha/per year on the selected region (Johnson 6).

According to McGraw, the chief editor of Bio Intelligence Service, tourism causes trampling. Vegetation and soil are often disturbed when tourists use the same route frequently. McGraw notes that anchoring activities also degrade the ecosystem:

“Anchoring, snorkeling, sport fishing, scuba diving, yachting and cruising, are some of the activities which can cause direct degradation of marine ecosystems such as coral reefs, and subsequent impacts on coastal protection and fisheries” (McGraw 1). In addition, “when tourists come too close to animals, they alter the animals’ natural behaviors” (McGraw 2).

As the numbers of tourist destinations continue to grow, the impact of tourism on the ecosystem also increases. Many private companies are investing heavily in the construction of recreational centers. Initially, the tourism industry in many countries was controlled by local governments. However, many private firms have entered into the tourism industry.

The tourism industry has been revolutionized by the private sector but at the expense of the environment. According to (McGraw 5), a total of 40 recreational centers have constructed in South Africa in the last five years. In Kenya, a country whose economy relies heavily on tourism, 20 recreational centers have been constructed in the last three years (McGraw 6).

In addition, the Kenyan government has taken control of all other small natural reserves, which have any form of wildlife. According to (McGraw 6), Kenya’s Tourism minister argues that taking control of all the natural habitats will enhance the country’s tourism sector in many ways as the number of tourist destinations will increase.

This data shows how the natural environment is being altered by tourism. These developments have a significant impact on nearby ecosystems. Many natural lands located close to wildlife ecosystems are being cleared to create space for the construction of centers which will accommodate the growing number of tourists. Confining wild animals in national parks and game reserves significantly affects their behaviors.

The reproduction of these animals is restricted and this can result into the extinction of the confined species. This also affects the animals’ natural feeding habits. Moreover, the confining of wild animals into national parks alters food chains and food webs in the natural world. Recreational centers which are located close to water bodies often discharge wastes into these water bodies thus affecting the aquatic ecosystem.

In summary, Tourism, according to Goeldner, “arises from the movement of people to and their stay in, various destinations” (10). Goeldner defines tourism as “the temporary, short term movement of people to destinations outside the places where they normally live and work, and their activities during their stay at these destinations; it includes movement for all purposes as well as day visits or excursions” (10).

Basically, tourism occurs in two forms: “the journey to the destination and the stay including the activities at the destination” (Goeldner 10). The impact of tourism on the ecosystem is usually evaluated in terms of an ecological footprint.

An ecological footprint, according to Johnson, “examines the amount of natural resources required to support a specific type of behavior, business or process” (2). Experts argue that many people tend to consume more when they are on vacation or holiday thus tourism heightens this phenomenon (Johnson 1).

As the numbers of tourist destinations continue to grow, the impact of tourism on the ecosystem also increases. Many natural lands located close to wildlife ecosystems are being cleared to create space for the construction of centers which will accommodate the growing number of tourists. Confining wild animals in national parks and game reserves significantly affects their behaviors.

Environment protectionists warn that the growth of tourism around the globe has overlooked concerns of increasing ecological resource use (Johnson 2). These claims have been boosted by results from recent studies which indicate that tourist attraction sites and infrastructures are sites of resource overconsumption. Tourist activities often alter the aquatic habitat by interfering with predator prey interactions.

Ecotourism Today argues “off highway vehicles, including all terrain vehicles, Argos, dirt bikes, and off road vehicles, driven trough or across steams and other water bodies can lead to habitat destruction and degradation, including loss of stream bank stability and erosion” (Ecotourism Today 1).

Environmental protectionists also argue that it is important to understand how tourism affects the ecosystem in order to sustain the ecosystem function and prevent irreparable damage to the biosphere. However, detecting changes in the ecosystem, which have been caused by tourism can be challenging.

The impact of tourism on the ecosystem is not only hard to predict, but also hard to detect. In addition, environmentalists find it challenging to distinguish between those components of change which are part of a natural process and ecosystem dynamics, and those which are as a result of human activities.

Works Cited

Ecotourism Today. ‘Potential Effects from Tourism and Recreation on Aquatic Ecosystems.’ 2012.Web.

Goeldner, Charles. Tourism: Principles, Practices and Philosophies. London: Oxford Press, 2010. Print.

Jax, Maxwell. Ecosystems: Basic Principles. Cape Town: Oxford, 2010. Print.

Johnson, Allan. Exploring The Ecological Footprint Of Tourism In Ontario. Waterloo, Ontario: Oxford Press, 2010.

McGrew, John. “Environmental Impacts of Tourism”. Bio Intelligence Science. 2010: 1-10. Web.

Science Direct. Effects of Tourism on the Ecosystem. 2012. Web.

The issue of human and natural factors contributing to the ecosystem damage in California has several implications. Human ventures, such as breeding cattle and work associated with industrial activity, significantly impact the soil and overall landscape. However, natural factors, such as changes in the atmosphere and fires should also be considered when evaluating the issue. This discussion post will present an in-depth review of the elements that lead to the degradation of the ecosystem in California.

The problems include hunting and ranching, which cause extinction or displacement of animals living in the area. For instance, World Wild Life (WWF) argues that in the Baja region human activity is intense, which affects the nature around (“Southern North America”). Additionally, salt extraction businesses affect the gray whales by impairing their ability to breed. Next, Mooney and Zavaleta state that groundwater pumping affects the aquifers, causing them to collapse (5). Carroll points out that an oil spill, which occurred in 2015, will have a long-term impact on the ecology. This includes damage to the soil and microorganisms occupying the coastline.

A natural factor that contributes to the ecological issues in California is forest fires. In general, wildfires lead to soil erosion, which affects the nutrients within it and pollutes the water (Mooney and Zavaleta 2). The increase in the number of incidents that occurred in recent years makes the issue even more severe. Mooney and Zavaleta argue that this is both due to the climate that predisposes the landscape for the development of large-scale fires and densely vegetated landscape, which serves as a fuel (6). In addition, changes in the atmosphere, such as nitrogen deposition, affect the biodiversity of the region. Overall, human factors that contribute to the degradation of California’s ecosystem are ranching, hunting, industrial salt extraction, and industrial activity while the natural problems causing ecosystem damage are fires and atmospheric changes.

Works Cited

Carroll, Rory. “California Oil Spill could cause Long-Term Damage and ‘Smother’ Ecosystem.”The Guardian, 2015, Web.

Mooney, Harold and Erika Zavaleta, editors. Ecosystems of California: Threats & Responses. University of California Press, 2016. UC California Naturalist, Web.

“Southern North America: Baja California Peninsula in Mexico.”WWF, Web.

Ecosystem services (ES) refer to all the benefits people receive from ecosystems. They differ from most other goods and services because they are much more complex in function, interaction, and impact. Ecosystem services enable people to obtain resources from the land itself through proper care and use of resources. Four types of ecosystem services are currently distinguished: providing, regulating, cultural, and supporting (Pearce, 2020). Each class allows humanity to sustain itself with vital resources such as food, firewood, water, etc.

The development of ecosystem services not only satisfies human life needs but also works for a sense of aesthetics. For example, cultural services have enabled people to breed new species of ornamental plants, which they use to decorate their homes and grounds. Many communities place a high value on preserving historically significant landscapes (“cultural landscapes”) or culturally notable species (animals or plants). Thus, the ecosystem influences human cultural development by identifying people with certain landscapes, forests, mountains, or fields.

Generally, the term “indigenous peoples” refers to peoples who have faced colonization or conquest and therefore find themselves a minority (or “non-dominant” part of the population) within a state formed by an incoming dominant group (Amnesty International, 2019). Indigenous peoples have inherent characteristics, such as Historical continuity with pre-colonial societies (societies before conquest) and strong ties to territories and adjacent natural resources. They are also characterized by different social, economic, or political systems and a rare language, culture, and beliefs.

The notion of unpopular indigenous peoples in society is considered a rudimentary phenomenon. Despite this, recently, young representatives of indigenous peoples, who are almost forgotten, have begun to remind themselves of their rights by standing up for them. For example, the story of Alba Veronica Yacabalcchia, who belongs to the Guatemalan indigenous Maya Kiche (United Nations, 2022). She has long defended the rights of her people through the recognition of her people’s language, the translation of necessary documentation for her fellow citizens, and the fight against discrimination based on the nationality of more “recognized” people. This is just one of the thousands of examples of young people drawing public attention to their people through news and government coverage.

Reference

Amnesty International. (2019). Indigenous peoples. Amnesty.org. Web.

Pearce, R. (2020). What are ecosystem services? Earth.org – Past | Present | Future. Web.

United Nations. (2022). Fighting for indigenous rights in guatemala. OHCHR.org. Web.