...The Ecosystem of the Rainforest An ecosystem is a relationship among the living and non-living organisms in a designated area and the environment in which they interact with. It includes plants, trees, animals, water, and soil. The rainforest ecosystem includes a variety of species, plants, and animals. All living organisms in this ecosystem physically adapt to the rain. The climate in the rainforest is very humid due the amount of rainfall. A tropical rainforest is very hot and wet; this type of climate is hit directly by the sun because of its location near the equator. The closer you are to the equator the solar radiation there is. The average temperature reaches about 77 degrees Fahrenheit. This climates temperature remains about the same all year never dropping below 64 degrees Rain falls at about 250 cm each year. Because the sun is directly hitting the rainforest, when the sun warms the ground and sea the water evaporates into the air. Warm air vapor and cold ail vapor form eventually causing clouds to form resulting to rain. This water cycle constantly repeats itself. Rain occurs more than 90 days a year in a rainforest. The rainforest consist of mainly trees and animals, trees can reach up to 164 feet in height. Because of the climate plants such as ferns and mosses or epiphytes, receive lots of water and direct sunlight so they grow very tall. Along with the many species of plants living in the rainforest, tropical animals such as Toucans, anacondas...
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...ECOSYSTEMS: TROPICAL RAINFORESTS Kyle Faulkner AIU Online Environmental Science Laura Stepp March 25, 2012 Abstract This article focuses on the rainforest’s and its structure, both biotic and abiotic and the the cycles that gives us the ability to live on this Earth. There are a several different types of biomes that cover the vast surface of our planet, but one in particular is very important. The Tropical Rainforest can be described as a forest of tall trees that is located in areas that receive year-round warmth. 50 to 250 inches of rain fall on these areas on average and almost all Rain Forest are located in the equator region. Tropical Rainforest are extremely important because of the oxygen that they provide to our planet, about 40% and the types of plants that have cured diseases and have helped fight ailments. Sadly, only about 6% remains of the world’s tropical forest due to deforestation (Rainforestsos.org, 2012) Scientists estimate that over half of the world’s species inhabit the Rain Forest and this is why it is so import that this biome remains intact and preserved. The Amazon Rain Forest and the Rainforests in Costa Rica are examples of the biome that shelter thousands of plan t and animals species that have just as much of a right to be on Earth as we do. The structure of the Tropical Rainforest has many layer that shelter both biotic and abiotic forms. The emergent layer is at the very top, even above the canopy and is home to birds, insects, snakes...
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...James Viloria SCI/256 3/27/15 University of Phoenix Environmental Pollution America and the World need population control laws that limit population growth thus conserving and saving water and natural resources. I have read articles from numerous sources that state in the year 2050, 2.7 Billion people will have a severe water shortage problem. Meaning there want be shortage of clean water to drink and shower with. This could be a touchy subject in the United States and in many western civilized worlds where the government steps in and tells them how many kids a family can have and what not. It’s happening this very minute in countries like China and Japan. The only thing that can be done is to regulate immigration reform and restrict a foreign alien’s tenure here in the States. Cars don't always perform well on the road as they do in prototype tests. Smog inspections let motorists know when pollution control devices are malfunctioning and when fuel is being wasted. Repair programs make sure every car is doing its share of the cleanup job Nowadays with increasing the population in the entire world, need of people to transporting vehicles is increased. So, I believe that spite of importance of improving roads and high ways, developing the buses, trains or subways is more critical than ever. Improved roads leave to better fuel efficacy for vehicle, less carbon emissions, and over top performance for newer gas efficient vehicle’s. As mentioned above, with newer gas...
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...1 Tropical Rainforest Unit 1 Individual Project Rosella Fyffe Jane Knapp 3-31-2013 2 Introduction I will be discussing the Tropical Rainforest, and writing about the abiotic components, carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, and the ecosystem function and structure. Also discussing the disturbance and how natural can bounce back after these types of disturbance. 3 Tropical Rainforest The ecosystem of the Tropical Rainforest is a community of living organisms such as plants, animals and microbes in conjunctions with the nonliving components of their environment such as air, water and mineral soil, interacting as a system. (http://wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecosystem.com) Ecosystems are controlled both by external and internal factors. The external factors such as climate, this is the material which forms the soil and topography, and control the overall structure of an ecosystem and the way things work with in it. Other external factors are time, potential biota. The internal factors not only control ecosystem processes but are also controlled by them and are often subject to feedback loops. The resource inputs are generally controlled by external processes like climate and parent material. (http://wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecosystem.com) The ecosystem processes, is when the energy and carbon enter ecosystems through photosynthesis, are incorporated into living tissue, transferred to other organisms. The biotic and abiotic components are regarded as linked together...
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...world’s ecosystems. Everyday, a piece of Earth’s ecosystem is demolished by human hands for the conquest for timber, minerals, and other resources. Forests cover 2% of the Earth’s surface, 6% of the landmass, and yet they house half the animal and plant species while rainforests cover twice that area. Deforestation is occurring across the globe on a scale that if it were continue at its present rate the forests could disappear within the next one to two hundred years. This raises concerns and questions. First, why should we be concerned? Second, what kind of damage could deforestation lead to animal and plant species, human existence, and to mother Earth and its atmosphere? Third, how and why the rainforests benefit the human race. To answer these questions, this paper will discuss where the most deforestation is occurring and the consequences of deforestation. Tropical rainforests are defined by two primary factors: location and amount of rainfall they receive. Rainforests receive from 4 to 8 meters of rain a year. Most of the rainfall is blocked by heavy vegetation, and water reaches the forest floor by rolling down branches and trunks. A distinctive characteristic is that the rainforests have no seasonality or no dry or cold season of slower growth. In addition, they are the Earth’s oldest living ecosystems. The rainforests are a priceless part of mother earth and their removal through deforestation would mean the loss of one of the planet’s most valuable ecosystems. Rainforests...
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...physical or human. The size of an area heavily decides the variations in biodiversity. The bigger the area, the larger the biodiversity, as large continuous biomes can support a wider range of species and extensive boundaries can encourage migration. Also, a larger area is more susceptible to a variety in climate, which can support a variation in species. A good example of this factor taking place is the Amazon Rainforest. This vast area of 5,500,000 sq.km located in the Amazon Basin of South America has the largest collection of animal and plant species in the world, as wet tropical forests are the most species-rich biome. It is home to 10% of the world’s known biodiversity. History and age shows that older and least disturbed ecosystems, is where there is generally higher biodiversity, especially in the tropics, where there are few physical constraints on productivity. Older ecosystems have a greater biodiversity as there is a longer time period for new species to evolve. Not only for new species, but also for migratory species such as birds. Disturbed ecosystems, where deforestation and land reclamation occurs, decreases biodiversity by destroying habitats and food chains. Geographical locations, particularly on remote islands, reduces the number of species but encourages endemism as the remaining species develop in a distinct way known as evolution, for example in the Galapagos Islands. The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the highest levels of endemism. Around 97%...
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...Australian continent that make it an ideal subject for the study of long-term ecological and evolutionary change. A2. Bk Ch4 S4.4 A2 Australia’s 30 million years of isolation from other continents provides an ideal opportunity for studying long-term ecological change as well as the evolution of plants and animals that are unique in the world. It also has a history of geographical stability spanning the last 300 million years. Q3. Bk Ch4 S4.4 Q3 How can knowledge of the history of our Australian ecosystem be beneficial to conservation strategies today? A3. Bk Ch4 S4.4 A3 Among other things the study of palaeontology provides us with a picture of how the Australian ecosystem has changed in the past and the factors that might have contributed to that change. In some instances human intervention has been an important part in that change. Understanding why ecological change occurs and the factors that affect ecosystems helps us make decisions about managing ecosystems so that they can be sustained. Q4. Bk Ch4 S4.4 Q4 What is biodiversity and why is it important? A4. Bk Ch4 S4.4 A4 Biodiversity is the variety of all living organisms found on Earth. It is important because the health and strength of our planet, our country and ourselves depend on the maintenance of biodiversity. Q5. Bk Ch4 S4.4 Q5 Outline the evidence that supports the hypothesis that there has been a loss of biodiversity in Australia over recent geological time. A5. Bk Ch4 S4.4 A5 Fossil...
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...succession are similar to those of primary succession; however, primary succession always begins on a barren surface, whereas secondary succession begins in environments that already posses soil. in addition, through a process called old-field succession, farmland that has been abandoned may undergo secondary succession. It occurs after a wildfire, disease, or clearing of a forest( anything thats destroys a community without damaging the soil because without the soil, nothing would be able to grow in that area anymore. Pg.4 Energy Through Ecosystems Food chain and food web producers are the starters of the whole process. They get their food from the sun and make their own organic molecules which is what we can photosynthesis . Consumers come second and they eat or consume food to obtain energy. Herbivores are animals that only producers or plants such as sheets, cows, and deers. Carnivores are animals that only eat meat or other consumers such as lions, tigers, and alligators. Omnivores are animals that eat both plants and meat. Some animals that eat both plants and animals are grizzly bears, striped skunks, and raccoons.Detritivores or Scavengers feed on dead organisms. Decomposes break down organic matter in the soil and return it to the earth. Trophic levels...
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...Conceptual Framework of Ecotourism Ecotourism is defined as a “purposeful travel to natural areas to understand the culture and natural history of the environment, taking care not to alter the integrity of the ecosystem, while producing economic opportunities that make the conservation of natural resources beneficial to local people” (McCormick, 1994). Based on this definition, the conceptual framework was formulated. The operationalization of the framework included an assessment procedure, the ecotourism standards and its corresponding management guidelines. and a communication plan. These tools were guided by the principles presented by Jeffries (1997) on biodiversity and conservation, Kersten (1997) on Community Based Ecotourism and Community Building, Kusler (1991) on Strengthening Resource Conservation through Ecotourism, and McCormick (1994) on how ecotourism can save a rainforest. Furthermore, the experiences gained by Regis et al. (2000) from the Ecotourism project for the two municipalities of Sorsogon reinforced the management guidelines put together based on the Philippine situation. Characteristics of ecotourism According to Chesworth (1995), Ecotourism has six characteristics. These are: a) ecotourism involves travel to relatively undisturbed natural areas and/or archeological sites, b) it focuses on learning and the quality of experience, c) it economically benefits the local communities, d) ecotourists seek to view rare species, spectacular...
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...species, and the different ecosystems on the planet such as deserts, rainforests and coral reefs. They are all part of a biologically diverse Earth. The role of biodiversity is important in the way ecosystems function and in the many services they provide. Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity where each species, no matter how small, all have an important role to play. Just think a larger number of plant species means a greater variety of crops, a greater species diversity ensures natural sustainability for all life forms, not to mention healthy ecosystems can better withstand and recover from a variety of disasters. It’s a big deal that we as humans should preserve the diversity of wildlife. By nature a healthy biodiversity provides numerous services for everybody. Provisioning resources, which are the products obtained from ecosystems that have a diversity includes food. The growth of crops, spices, and meats and vegetables. Medicine which is naturally grown in the wild that is of use to humans and wild animals alike, as well as raw material such as lumber, and fertilizer. For example, Waste eaters like the dung beetle help to turn animal waste into organic material that can be reused by plants, which will further the production and growth of plants, which would be eaten as food for animals and turned back into waste to start the cycle all over again. Regulating services which are the benefits obtained from the regulation of ecosystems includes the regulation of...
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...Climate change implications for the Pacific Islands Across the planet now we see ever more flood, ever more drought, ever more storms. People are dying, communities are being wrecked and local plants and species are being wiped away — the impacts we’re already witnessing from climate change are unlike anything we have ever seen before. There is report that identifies small island states as being the most vulnerable countries of the world to the adverse impacts of climate change. The Pacific is in fact without a doubt one of the world’s most vulnerable regions when it comes to risk of disaster due to climate change, particularly several of the low-lying coral islands. Climate change is already affecting Pacific Islands with dramatic revenue loss across sectors such as agriculture, water resources, forestry, tourism and other industry-related sectors. Some of the projected impacts of climate change on main sectors that specifically apply to the Pacific Islands are listed below. (reference here) Agriculture is extremely vulnerable to climate change, with high temperature levels reducing yields of desirable crops and changes in precipitation patterns increasing crop failures (reference here). Pacific islands are constantly being exposed to these threats of climate change and we have already witnessed the effects of these threats. For example the different weather variations occurring in different parts of the pacific islands, low levels of our crops and forestry production...
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...Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Greater biodiversity implies greater health. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions support fewer species. Rapid environmental changes typically cause extinctions. One estimate is that less than 1% of the species that have existed on Earth are extant.[1] Biodiversity biodiversity is divided into three, phenotypic, genoti, environmental Ecological diversity refers to the sum of the different types of environment or Ecosystem present in a region or the habitat which is the sum total of the climate, vegetation and geography of a region. Ecosystem is a unit of the biosphere in which there is an interaction between the living and nonliving factors so as to maintain a continuous flow of energy. It is a structural and functional unit of a biosphere. There are several kinds of habitats or ecosystems around the world. The variety of diversity of species in an ecosystem is influenced by the ecosystem it self. Examples of ecosystems: Grass land, wet land, desert, aquatic ecosystem etc. Species diversity is the variety of different species in a given area. It is very difficult to estimate the different species in a given area. Most of the species are found near the equator and a few at the poles. Genetic Diversity may be defined...
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...environmental knowledge selected for over millions of years. The exploding sciences of biomimicry, bioengineering, and genetic manipulation highlight the enormous potential a single species may have in helping humanity create a healthier, more sustainable interaction with our environment through improvements to medicines, food production, nutrition, technologies, and resilient ecosystems. A conservative estimate is that well over a hundred species a day are going extinct, with the rate of disappearing species accelerating as natural habitats shrink, fragment, and degrade and commercial exploitation of vulnerable species escalates. The loss of species is irreversible and the loss of old-growth natural habitats irretrievable within centuries. The fewer the species remaining on this planet, the more tenuous our own existence. EO Wilson rightly warns that our destruction of the Earth’s biodiversity will be the thing that future generations will least forgive us for. What can we do? A good start is to fully shut down the international trade in wildlife, protect all remaining natural habitats, from rainforests to untrawled seafloors, and begin to restore watersheds by removing dams and protecting headwater and riverbank vegetation. Our Dying Oceans Overfishing has decimated most fisheries and the oceans are now devoid of over 95% of its larger predatory fish, such as sharks, Bluefin tuna, and billfish. Coral reefs are degrading almost everywhere they occur due to warming and acidifying...
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...this assignment, you will investigate the biotic and abiotic structure and function of an ecosystem. Choose 1 of the following ecosystems: * Tropical rainforest * Grassland * Coral reef * Estuary * Desert You will prepare a 10-12 slide PowerPoint presentation (not including the title or reference slides) and include a minimum of 3 images about your choice of ecosystem, covering the following in your presentation: * Where might this type of ecosystem be located? Give 1 specific example. * Describe the structure of the ecosystem. * List both the abiotic components and biotic components. * Describe the function of the ecosystem. * How do the abiotic and biotic components interact in biogeochemical cycles? * Describe both the carbon and nitrogen cycles. * Describe disturbance and recovery. * Describe 1 natural and 1 human-caused disturbance to the ecosystem. * Explain the damage to the ecosystem, including how the abiotic and biotic characteristics of the ecosystem changed. * Explain how ecosystems recover naturally based on resilience mechanisms and the theory of secondary succession. Ecosystem Definition noun, plural: ecosystems A system that includes all living organisms (biotic factors) in an area as well as its physical environment (abiotic factors) functioning together as a unit. Supplement An ecosystem is made up of plants, animals, microorganisms, soil, rocks, minerals, water sources and...
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...Preeti Grover ENV 1020 Prof. Zarnoch Museum Assignment American Museum of Natural History Field Trip Hall of Biodiversity 1. According to the information in hall, the disruption of ecosystem adversely affects food supplies and water quality and quantity. Damage to ecosystem can cause changes in disease ecology, leading to the emergence of rare and unknown diseases or the resurgence of diseases that were previously controlled. We also lost indicators of the ability of ecosystem to support life of all kinds, including human life, finally, living in a world lacking the beauty and tranquility inherent in diverse, intact ecosystems had profound effects on out mental health. 2. According to the information in the exhibit human population has exploded since the invention of agriculture and people are transforming the land for farming and the industrial revolution has increased the rate of expansion of cities, roads and manufacturing facilities. I agree that we need to preserve biodiversity as it makes up the structure of the ecosystem and habitats that support essential living resources, including wildlife, fisheries and forests. It also helps provide for basic human needs such as food, shelter and medicine. 3. Biome is a very large area on the earth’s surface with animals and plants adapting to their environment. Biomes are often defined by abiotic factors such as climate, geology, soils and vegetation. The nine Biomes are described in the Hall...
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