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Ecosystems: Ecology, Classification, Biodiversity And Environment
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Published: January 21, 2008
Every action has an equal an opposite reaction. This has never been more evident than in the impact human society has made on the planet. As should be expected, human consumption and general disregard has taken its toll on the Earth. Ecosystems are suffering, which in turn will adversely affect the human species.
The human race engages in constant interaction with the world's ecosystems, and until these relationships are nurtured and respected, destruction will continue to pave its way through the environment. What many people may not realize or care to examine is the simple fact that without these healthy and prosperous ecosystems, life as it is known ceases to exist.
Ecosystems are entities comprised of living organisms interacting with their surrounding environment. Through the study of ecology, it is seen there is a consistent and constant relationship occurring between the aspects of ecological communities, causing impacts on one another. Whether units are as small as a pond or as large as a tropical rainforest, each has a distinct and integral place. Humans impact these intricate systems everyday, no matter how minute or grand in scale. Thus, human actions and lifestyles must be carefully monitored to protect the ecosystems' heterogeneity.
In order to more efficiently monitor their protection, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was devised to protect the planet's ecosystems. The CBD was ratified by 175 countries, thus creating the need for distinct classifications of ecosystems. These factors include vegetation, fauna species, coral reef species, elevation, humidity, and bodies of water. Since the breadth and scope is so vast, identification protects them in a more collective effort. The eight classifications of the greater biomes in ecology help to distinguish between the varying ecosystems and their locations within the Earth.
The most important facet of ecological communities is their biodiversity. The higher the number of diverse species in a system, the higher the functioning of the entity. Biodiversity is also seen as a measure of health; this diversity makes ecosystems more resistant to change and allows them to rebound from any augment that may occur. This is of dire importance, since any introduction of new elements can mean eminent destruction. Monoculture is the enemy, especially since within them there is a immeasurable potential for food. However, with the rapid rate of extinction, this may not prove to be true for long.
Humanity's hazardous practices are causing great damage to integral ecosystems all over the planet. Overpopulation, pollution, deforestation, and the bleeding of natural resources and species are all devastating causes. Unsustainable human living is causing extinction in greater numbers by the day, and these numbers will continue to grow exponentially until these actions are stopped. The destruction of ecosystems and habitats is irreparable, so the time to act is now.
Sources:
"Ecosystem." Wikipedia. 15 Oct. 2007. 17 Oct. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecosystems.
"Biodiversity." Wikipedia. 15 Oct. 2007. 17 Oct. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodiversity.
"Destruction of Ecosystems Now Threatening Human Species." People and Planet. 2 Aug. 2002. 17 Oct. 2007. http://www.peopleandplanet.net/doc.php?id=1717.
Eldredge, Niles. "The Sixth Extinction." AIBS. 2007. 17 Oct. 2007. http://www.actionbioscience.org/newfrontiers/eldre dge2.html.
Related Articles
Ecosystems are entities comprised of living organisms interacting with their surrounding environment. Through the study of ecology, it is seen there is a consistent and constant relationship occurring between the aspects of ecological communities, causing impacts on one another. Whether units are as small as a pond or as large as a tropical rainforest, each has a distinct and integral place. Humans impact these intricate systems everyday, no matter how minute or grand in scale. Thus, human actions and lifestyles must be carefully monitored to protect the ecosystems' heterogeneity.
In order to more efficiently monitor their protection, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was devised to protect the planet's ecosystems. The CBD was ratified by 175 countries, thus creating the need for distinct classifications of ecosystems. These factors include vegetation, fauna species, coral reef species, elevation, humidity, and bodies of water. Since the breadth and scope is so vast, identification protects them in a more collective effort. The eight classifications of the greater biomes in ecology help to distinguish between the varying ecosystems and their locations within the Earth.
The most important facet of ecological communities is their biodiversity. The higher the number of diverse species in a system, the higher the functioning of the entity. Biodiversity is also seen as a measure of health; this diversity makes ecosystems more resistant to change and allows them to rebound from any augment that may occur. This is of dire importance, since any introduction of new elements can mean eminent destruction. Monoculture is the enemy, especially since within them there is a immeasurable potential for food. However, with the rapid rate of extinction, this may not prove to be true for long.
Humanity's hazardous practices are causing great damage to integral ecosystems all over the planet. Overpopulation, pollution, deforestation, and the bleeding of natural resources and species are all devastating causes. Unsustainable human living is causing extinction in greater numbers by the day, and these numbers will continue to grow exponentially until these actions are stopped. The destruction of ecosystems and habitats is irreparable, so the time to act is now.
Sources:
"Ecosystem." Wikipedia. 15 Oct. 2007. 17 Oct. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecosystems.
"Biodiversity." Wikipedia. 15 Oct. 2007. 17 Oct. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodiversity.
"Destruction of Ecosystems Now Threatening Human Species." People and Planet. 2 Aug. 2002. 17 Oct. 2007. http://www.peopleandplanet.net/doc.php?id=1717.
Eldredge, Niles. "The Sixth Extinction." AIBS. 2007. 17 Oct. 2007. http://www.actionbioscience.org/newfrontiers/eldre dge2.html.
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