How Humans Impact the Ecosystem Essay - 1187 Words

Humans play an extensive role when it comes to the sustainability of the environment, our actions now can have repercussions in the future. Learning how humans leave their footprint on the environment will help us to become more conscious of our actions and how they manipulate the world around us. Humans sway the precarious balance of the environment; the ramifications of tipping the scales will be felt by generations to come. Discovering what your ecological footprint is and how your actions effect the environment is a good place to start if you are concerned about ecological sustainability. Ecological Footprint An Ecological footprint is the measure of human demand on Earth’s ecosystem. â€Å"Think of a terrarium: How big would the†¦show more content†¦These types of plants serve as a home and food source for the bacteria that processes and releases nitrogen into the soil. Since many crops in the United States are legumes this is actually raising the nitrate levels in the soil. Even crops that are not legumes like corn, wheat and potatoes are fertilized with nitrogen. Nitric acids have destroyed many lakes and ponds, resulting in deforestation and global climate changes. Many fertilizers used on agricultural crops contain phosphates and when used it can raise the level of phosphates in the soil to heights that can actually kill plants. Phosphates are a limiting factor. It can be a matter of the plant not having enough or when it comes to fertilization, having too much. Fertilizers are actually the most prominent form of human interference in the phosphorus cycle. Phosphates like iron, calcium and potassium are mined in many locations and then used in fertilizers, animal feeds and detergents. What Counts as Pollution? Phosphate levels in the ocean are three times what they used to be. Phosphates are measured in teregrams; one teregram is equal to one million metric tons. Let’s put the amount of increase of phosphates in the ocean into perspective: â€Å"The natural level of phosphates in the ocean is 8 teregrams, the level now is 22 teregrams which is 14 Tg increase† (Wright, 2011). This is the equivalent to the global use ofShow MoreRelatedThe Human Impact On Natural Resources And An Ecosystem1158 Words   |  5 Pageswithin the web. 2. Describe the human impact on natural resources and an ecosystem. 3. Interpret ecological pyramids from data. 4. Explain the effect of limiting factors on population growth. 5. Describe the pattern of succession that follows an environmental disturbance. 6. Define and describe the interactions between species and their affect on the stability of an ecosystem. 7. Evaluate the effect of non-native/invasive species on the stability of an ecosystem. 8. Explain the biogeochemical cyclesRead MoreImpact Of Biodiversity On The Environment1267 Words   |  6 Pagesspecies were being lost at rapid rates from ecosystems. It is known that all organisms play important roles within their ecosystems being that organisms interact with their ecosystem through feedback mechanisms (Cardinale, B. J., et al., 2012). If biodiversity is diminishing then food webs and ecosystems will also be disrupted. In humanity, Health cannot be sustained without a viable environment (Yassi, A., 2001). The primary cause of biodiversity loss is human activity. Any type of anthropogenic actionRead MoreEnvironmental History Of The Oceans And Seas1692 Words   |  7 Pageslargely ignored marine ecosystems as areas of research. Focusing instead on inland fisheries, environmental historians have still had to be â€Å"exhorted†¦ to embrace this opportunity† of expanding the discourse of human impacts on marine environments. Scientists, anthropologists, archeologists, and historical ecologists have thus far dominated the production of knowledge concerning historical and current marine ecosystems. In examining human relationships with marine ecosystems, scholars have also acknowledgedRead MoreThe Relative Importance of Physical and Human Factors in Causing Change in Ecosystems911 Words   |  4 Pagesthe relative importance of physical and human factors in causing change in ecosystems (30 marks) Both human and physical factors impact upon ecosystems due to their holistic nature which means that even small changes in the human or physical environment around them can cause an exponential chain of results. However these factors can be both positive and negative to varying degrees. Some of the most obvious physical factors which cause change in ecosystems can be seen through succession; for exampleRead MoreThe Importance Of Biodiversity1641 Words   |  7 Pages2011). Currently, an extreme loss of biodiversity is a problem that is being caused by human activities. A major report in 2005 stated that due to human actions, between 10% and 30% of mammal, bird, and amphibian species are threatened with extinction, since then, the problem has only increased (Shah, 2014). The topic of biodiversity is of interest and significant to me, and others, because it provides all humans with food and materials as well as providing essential ecological services (WWF, n.d.)Read MoreAquatic Ecology : The Science Of Ecology1555 Words   |  7 Pageson the study of aquatic ecosystems. This field can be broken out into two divisions: freshwater and marine ecology. Understanding aquatic ecosystems is critical since water is the building block to the survival of all life on earth. Aquatic ecology includes the study of aquatic environments including oceans, lakes, ponds, wetlands, rivers, and streams. Every organism needs energy to live, grow and reproduce. In aquatic ecology, biologists classify organisms as to how they obtain energy and foodRead MoreConserve Green Space Essay1220 Words   |  5 Pagescare of the planet they are building on. They forget that we need to conserve green space as it provides many ecosystem services such as water filtration and air fi ltration. They also provide many other ecosystem services such as tourism, a space for peace and calm and solemnity, and a certain aesthetic that it provides. These green areas are also important because one of their biggest ecosystem services is that they decrease the amount of carbon in the air. We need to bring about change to preserveRead MoreQuiz on Ecological Trophic Pyramid677 Words   |  3 Pagesthe biggest impact on the ecosystem you researched? Of the primary producers found in this environment, probably the one with the biggest impact on the ecosystem is grass because the blades feed the primary consumers who then feed the rest of the food chain. Although other plants also fulfill this function, grass is eaten in the most abundant quantities and also grows the most. What species did you select for the apex predator? Explain the importance of the apex predators impact on the otherRead MoreThe Yaak Valley Of Northern Montana1494 Words   |  6 PagesThe Yaak Valley of northern Montana is one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the continental United States. It has cores of roadless wilderness that have been untouched by human activity and I believe that they should remain as such. The biodiverse ecosystem of the Yaak Valley benefits its human and non-human inhabitants and we should protect it from the detrimental effects of human activities, especially the violent changes caused by large timber companies and their practice of clear-cut loggingRead MoreGlobal Climate Change On Natural Disasters And Agricultural Production1308 Words   |  6 PagesHuman well-being is fundamentally dependent on ecosystems for the provisioning, cultural and regulating services that they provide (World Bank, 2007). Clean water is one of the critical resources provid ed to man by ecosystems. As such, the ecosystem concept has been elevated as a fundamental attribute for human development. Maintenance and access to ecosystem services has consistently been associated with better health and economic outcomes. Human health risks originate from traditional forms of