Impact of Missing Ecosystem Components on Biodiversity

Abstract

This lab report explores the effects of missing key ecosystem components, including lichens, bees, trees, and flowers, on biodiversity. We examine how each missing component impacts the ecosystem and discuss actions that humans engage in, leading to the extinction of these crucial elements. Additionally, we propose specific actions that humans can take to minimize their impact on the ecosystem and ensure the survival of lichens, trees, flowers, and bees.

Introduction

Ecosystems are complex networks of living organisms and their environments.

The presence or absence of certain species within an ecosystem can have profound effects on its overall health and biodiversity. In this lab report, we investigate how the removal of specific ecosystem components, represented by colored beads, affects biodiversity and the functioning of the ecosystem.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a series of experiments in which we represented key ecosystem components with colored beads and observed the consequences of their removal. Each round of the demonstration involved removing one of the following components: lichens (Round 1), bees (Round 2), trees (Round 3), and flowers (Round 4).

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For Round 1, we removed the white bead representing lichens. Lichens play a vital role in soil creation and nutrient cycling within ecosystems. Without lichens, the development and nutrient needs of all species, including bees, trees, flowers, and humans, are negatively impacted (Bottcher & Rex, 2012).

Round 2 involved the removal of the yellow bead, representing bees. Bees are essential pollinators for trees and flowers, and their absence leads to a loss of food sources for humans, as well as a decline in plant diversity (Corbet, Williams, & Osborne, 1991).

In Round 3, we eliminated the orange bead, symbolizing trees. Trees rely on lichens for enriched soil and, in turn, provide oxygen, food, and shelter for various species. The absence of lichens and trees disrupts the ecosystem's balance (Bottcher & Rex, 2012).

Round 4 saw the removal of the red bead, representing flowers. Without lichens to enrich the soil and trees for protection and shade, the flowers struggle to survive, leading to food shortages and a lack of habitat for other species (Bottcher & Rex, 2012).

Data Analysis

We analyzed the results of each round to understand how the absence of specific ecosystem components affected biodiversity and the overall health of the ecosystem. We recorded the changes in plant diversity and growth in each pot to draw conclusions about the impacts of missing species.

Results

Table 1 summarizes the results of each round of the demonstration, highlighting the changes in plant diversity and growth in the pots.

As shown in Table 1, the absence of each ecosystem component had detrimental effects on biodiversity and the ecosystem's overall health. The most significant impacts were observed when lichens and bees were removed, affecting multiple species.

Discussion

The results of our experiment demonstrate that the presence or absence of specific ecosystem components has a profound impact on biodiversity. Lichens, bees, trees, and flowers all play unique roles in sustaining the ecosystem, and their removal disrupts the delicate balance of interactions among species.

Humans contribute to the extinction of these components through various actions. For lichens, the use of pesticides, chemicals, and other pollutants damages this critical component (Hilmo & Såstad, 2001). Trees are threatened by deforestation and soil pollution resulting from human activities (Hazelbaker, 2008). Flowers suffer from the use of pesticides and chemicals that contaminate the soil (Bottcher & Rex, 2012), while bees face habitat destruction due to population growth and industrialization (Corbet, Williams, & Osborne, 1991).

Actions to Minimize Impact

1. Protecting Bee Habitats: To ensure bee populations do not deteriorate to irreversible levels, humans should create conducive habitats and provide food sources like nectar and pollen (Corbet, Williams, & Osborne, 1991).
2. Preventing Soil Pollution: Humans can reduce soil and land pollution through stricter enforcement of regulations, neutralizing pesticides and chemicals, and adopting eco-friendly practices to promote a healthier ecosystem.
3. Conserving Forests: Protecting public lands from excessive forest harvesting and enforcing environmental regulations for commercial logging businesses can help maintain healthy tree populations (Hazelbaker, 2008).

Conclusion

Biodiversity is crucial for the overall health and functioning of ecosystems. Our experiment highlighted how the absence of key ecosystem components negatively impacts biodiversity and the ecosystem's stability. Human actions, such as pollution, deforestation, and habitat destruction, contribute to the extinction of these vital components.

However, by taking proactive measures, such as protecting bee habitats, reducing soil pollution, and conserving forests, we can minimize our impact on the ecosystem and ensure the survival of lichens, trees, flowers, and bees. It is essential for us to recognize the importance of biodiversity and work towards preserving the delicate balance of life in our ecosystems.

Recommendations

We recommend further research and awareness campaigns to educate the public about the significance of biodiversity and the actions they can take to protect it. Additionally, policymakers should prioritize environmental conservation and implement stricter regulations to safeguard critical ecosystem components.

Post Lab Questions

1. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that the pot with direct exposure to sunlight would contain the highest level of biodiversity.
2. Accept/Reject Hypothesis: We reject the hypothesis based on the results in Table 1, which show that the pot placed away from all windows had greater plant diversity and growth compared to the one with direct sunlight.
3. Ecosystem Health: Based on the diversity of flowers in each pot, we would determine that the ecosystem is healthy. Both samples displayed signs of a healthy ecosystem, with each plant species yielding results within two weeks. The sample without direct sunlight showed slightly healthier growth, possibly due to more stable temperatures and consistent ambient light exposure.

How Biodiversity Contributes to Ecosystem Health

Biodiversity contributes to the overall health of an ecosystem by ensuring the resilience and stability of ecological processes. As stated by Bottcher & Rex (2012), biodiversity encompasses genetic variation, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity, all of which are interconnected.

In a functioning ecosystem, various species interact at multiple levels, from individual organisms to entire ecosystems (Chapin et al., 1999). For example, in our experiment, the presence of different plant species in the pots demonstrated species interactions. Each plant shared nutrients from the soil, and some species thrived in numbers over others, contributing to overall biodiversity.

Research by Chapin et al. (1999) emphasizes that biodiversity impacts ecosystem functioning, including plant production, resistance to environmental perturbations, and ecosystem processes like nutrient cycling. The loss of biodiversity can disrupt these vital processes, leading to negative consequences for the ecosystem's health.

In conclusion, biodiversity is essential for maintaining the natural life support processes within ecosystems. It ensures the sustainability and functioning of ecosystems, benefiting all species within them. Therefore, preserving biodiversity should be a priority to protect our planet's ecosystems and their contributions to our well-being.

References

1. Hilmo, O., & Såstad, S. M. (2001). Colonization of old-forest lichens in a young and an old boreal Picea abies forest: an experimental approach. Biological Conservation, 102(3), 251-259.
2. Chapin III, F. S., Costanza, R., Ehrlich, P. R., Golley, F. B., Hooper, D. U., Lawton, J. H., ... & Tilman, D. (1999). Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning: maintaining natural life support processes. Washington, DC: Ecological Society of America.
3. Hazelbaker, J. (2008). Logging on national forests national forest management zero cut – no. Retrieved from: http://www.worldissues360.com/index.php/logging-on-national-forests-national-forest-management-zero-cut-no-26744/.
4. Corbet, S. A., Williams, I. H., & Osborne, J. L. (1991). Bees and the pollination of crops and wild flowers in the European Community. Bee World 7(2), 47-59.