Ecosystem Literature Review
The aquatic ecosystems are home to some of the most diverse life forms on the planet. From plankton and plants to fish and even to large mammals, the aquatic ecosystem provides shelter to such a diverse range of life that few other ecosystems can ever compare to this large scope. In the aquatic ecosystem, there are many factors that allow for biotic life to flourish. Some of these factors include biodiversity, energy flow, and nutrient cycling. Not only do these factors allow for the prosperity of the aquatic ecosystem function, but also allow for the proper function of the other factors.
Ecosystem function can be seen as the "collective metabolic activities of organisms within a habitat consume energy and move matter between organic and inorganic pools". Biodiversity helps ecosystem maintain these actives in a stable manner. (Shahid 2002). Biodiversity, which is both genetic and ecological diversity in an ecosystem, allows for an ecosystem to react and survive under changing conditions (Hooper/ et all 2005). Biodiversity's role in the aquatic ecosystem can be described as the "security blanket" because biodiversity helps promote the resilience of an ecosystem, which comes into place through the interactions between biota and their environment (Cropp and Gabric 2002). As biodiversity increases, the ability of an ecosystem to overcome not only physical challenges, but also its ability to combat invasive species also increases. This ability to combat "local invasions" occurs because the native species use the limited resources that are present in an area. So, if an invasive species tries to colonize an area with high biodiversity, it will have a lot of trouble due to the limited amount of "free" r...
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... Paradigm. Ecology. 83(6): 1537-1552.
Srivastava Diane S., Vellend. 2005. Biodiversity-Ecosystem Function Research: Is it Relevant to
Conservation?. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics. 36: 267-294.
Stachowicz John J., Fried Heather, Osman Richard W., Whitlatch Robert B.. 2002. Biodiversity,
Invasion Resistance, and Marine Ecosystem Function: Reconciling Pattern and Process.
Ecology. 83(9): 2575-2590.
Vanni Michael J.. 2002. Nutrient Cycling by Animals in Freshwater Ecosystems. Annual Review
of Ecology and Systematics. 33:341-370.
Vanni Michael J., Bowling Anne M., Dickman Elizabeth M., Hale Scott R., Higgins Karen A.,
Horgan Martin J., Knoll Lesley B., Renwick William H., Stein Roy A.. 2006. Nutrient Cycling by Fish Supports Relatively More Primary Production as Lake Productivity Increases. Ecology. 87(7): 1696-1709.
Robert J., S., Bonnie, G., Sue, F., Douglas, R., Steven A., S., Todd, H., & ... Thomas E., K.
Fish habitat is the underwater world which many people do not see. It is just like the world that people live. Fish and plants reproduce, eat, and live in this environment, and even face challenges such as invasive species. It is said that “Invasive species are non-native species that threaten the diversity or abundance of native species due to their uncontrollable population growth, causing ecological or economic impacts” (“Invasive” par. 1). Vegetation plays a big role for fish habitat and for a lake itself. Aquatic habitat provides living space for not only fish but also for many aquatic insects. These insects then in turn provide fish and other species of animals with food (“Native” par. 4).
Influence on ecosystems range from human causes like the bulldozing of a forest to natural causes like a fire or a flood. In recent times, the introduction and spread of invasive species has transformed native communities rapidly and, in some cases, created irreversible damages. In the Earth’s history, changes have often occurred in the ecosystems. For example, glaciers and the retreat of glaciers cause wide-spread changes. However, although change is a constant in ecosystems, animals and habitats often cannot adapt to the rapid alterations of non-natural stresses. Harm to the environment from the introduction of invasive species occurs through changes in the habitat and declines in the native species. Invasive species can make changes in a habitat’s physical structure, hydrology and salinity, productivity, energy flow, and fire cycle. Declines in biodiversity occur through competition, disruption of the food web, and genetic hybridization. These habitat and species modifications could create an irreversible shift in the ecosystem, creating an altered, stable state.
An ecosystem is a group of living plants, animals and organisms that interact together in a non-living environment (Ellis). Animals, plants, water and air work together in an structured fashion establishing a balanced system. To have a fully functioning ecosystem, each animal and plant plays a unique role in keeping the ecosystem healthy. There are three categories of living organisms that make up an ecosystem; producers, consumers, and decomposers. The two most imperative roles in the ecosystem are the soil and sun. The sun aids the water cycle and comfortable lifestyles of the animals and the soil stores the nutrients that are required for plants to grow. Ecosystems are a base to all humankind; they provide many goods and services that
...ultiple Diversity--Stability Mechanisms Enhance Population And Community Stability In Aquatic Food Webs." Ecology 95.1 (2014): 173-184. General Science Full Text (H.W. Wilson). Web. 13 Mar. 2014.
Humans interact with the ecosystem in every way imaginable. We humans have a huge impact on the Earth’s biodiversity, whether it’s positively or negatively.
“Ecosystem: a community of organisms and its environment which functions as an ecological unit” – the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
A sign in the Hall of Biodiversity defines biodiversity as the sum of all species living on earth, involving a global system in which each organism plays a role in the local environment. Today biodiversity is in crisis because humans are degrading ecosystems all over the planet and driving thousands of animals to extinction. There have been recent measures to curtail this mass extinction, most notably the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
The more one observes the world, the more one will realize that everything in this world is connected somehow. Everything and every one in this world, is part of one or more systems. An ecosystem is a complex set of relationships between living and non-living organism and their physical environment. Ecosystems vary in sizes and the living and non-living organisms that make them up. Ecosystems contain biotic factors such as plants, animals, and other organisms and also abiotic factors, such as rocks, temperature, and humidity (Coniferous Forest). Often times, ecosystems are divided into different categories based on climate patterns, soils types, and the animals and plants that inhibit them
An ecosystem consists of a community of living organisms and their interaction with the other organisms and the environment. In an ecosystem all the living organisms are constantly interacting with each other and the non-living components (water, soil, air) of the environment. In an ecosystem, all the organisms either directly or indirectly depends on one another. This dependance keeps the ecological balance of the environment.
The meaning of Ecology is the connection that exists between living organisms and their environment. From the largest animal on Earth to the smallest, they all share our world with us. The ecosystem is connected by the flow of matter and energy and as organisms eat and dispose of matter it supplies them to sustain life. Across the planet various densities of uneven configurations accumulate minerals and nutrients.
Thomas, C., Britt, P., Blackbourn, J. M., Blackbourn, R., Papason, B., Tyler, J. L., &
Biodiversity plays a big factor for our ecosystems. It can be negatively influenced by habitat loss and degradation due to human activity, climate change, and pollution. A lot of our basic necessities that we need to survive are provided because of biodiversity. We need food from various species, plants to eat, water to drink, air to breathe, and materials to provide shelter and other necessities. The greater species diversity we have, the more it ensures a natural sustainability for all life forms. Healthy ecosystems can also better withstand and recover from a wide range of disasters.
The degradation of ecosystems and loss of biodiversity is increasing at an alarming rate every year. Humans are certainly not the only reason for this, but they are the main contributors. The well-being of ecosystems affects our everyday lives - consumption and consumerism depend on natural resources. Everything humans use is derived from them, in seemingly indirect and direct ways. Yet despite the fact that humans are destroying the environment, many continue to and neglect to take important measures to protect it.
NEED AND PURPOSE FOR CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY: Biodiversity, a contraction of “biological diversity,” generally refers to the variety and variability of life on Earth. The very existence of human species and sustainable development depend on biodiversity conservation, therefore the need for conservation of biodiversity is basically for this reason that all living creatures need other creatures and plants in one way or the other. At least 40 per cent of the world’s economy and 80 per cent of the needs of the poor are mainly derived from biological resources. Biodiversity is necessary for our existence as well as valuable in its own right as it provides the fundamental building blocks for the many goods and services which are essential