What are some risks of human intervention to biodiversity of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems? (plants)?
Question by Billie Jean: What are some risks of human intervention to biodiversity of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems? (plants)?
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Most ecosystems are composed of a number of mutually interdependant species which exist in something called a food web. Removing any single species weakens the web. The best example is the Brazil nut tree. It was eventually discovered the trees did not produce nuts when raised in groves containing only this species of tree. It grew best in undisturbed forests because it relied on a rodent, a bee and an orchid to reproduce successfully.
Deforestation can have much more serious consequences when trees and shrubs on hill slopes are removed, either for timber or simply for fuel by local people. The tree roots hold the soil together and once removed, heavy rain can saturate the ground and mudslides can happen.
Roger S
March 26, 2013 at 5:22 am