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4 Effects of Everyday Activities on the Ecosystem
Regarding ecosystems, forest destruction as a result of fires and severe winters has
been commonplace. For example, in Columbia, South America, pine forests have
been destroyed by pine beetle infestations that have continually expanded, partly
because of harsh winters. With global warming increasing, and habitats as well as
species reducing, the probabilities of ecosystems adapting naturally are dwindling
(Bonan 2015). Global warming can also have numerous effects on fish as well as
other aquatic species as some water bodies become too hot for these species to
survive.
Identify some of the water bodies in Africa where this effect is being felt (at
least three).
Global warming could also alter the water’s chemical composition, thus leading
to a decline in oxygen quantity, and subsequently an increase in salinity levels as
well as pollution. Today, it is estimated that at least 20% of the freshwater fish in the
world are becoming extinct, threatened, or endangered (Bonan 2015).
Briefly identify and explain how some fish species are being threatened by
global warming.
Global warming has contributed to the rise in sea level from 3.0±0.4 millimeters
annually during the 1993–2017 period (Nerem et al. 2018). This rise in sea level has
contributed to the loss of mangroves and wet prairies. Increased salinity is attributed
to rising salt water, and it can damage freshwater ecosystems that have slough and
saw-grass. Plants will have little capacity to adapt to global warming. Furthermore,
many animal and plant species are migrating northward or towards higher altitudes
because of the warming temperatures. They follow comfortable temperatures and
move away from the rising global temperature. Because of this, many animals may
not be able to compete in the new climate regime and may go extinct.
Also, migratory birds and insects currently arrive in their nesting and feeding
grounds days earlier than they did during the twentieth century (Cahill et al.
2012). Warmer temperatures are further anticipated to increase the disease-causing
pathogens that were restricted to tropical areas, leading to the death of animal and
plant species that were insulated from these diseases. If left unchecked, such effects
of global warming are poised to contribute to the disappearance of 50% of the plants
and 30% of animals by 2080.
4 Effects of Everyday Activities on the Ecosystem
Regarding ecosystems, forest destruction as a result of fires and severe winters has
been commonplace. For example, in Columbia, South America, pine forests have
been destroyed by pine beetle infestations that have continually expanded, partly
because of harsh winters. With global warming increasing, and habitats as well as
species reducing, the probabilities of ecosystems adapting naturally are dwindling
(Bonan 2015). Global warming can also have numerous effects on fish as well as
other aquatic species as some water bodies become too hot for these species to
survive.
Identify some of the water bodies in Africa where this effect is being felt (at
least three).
Global warming could also alter the water’s chemical composition, thus leading
to a decline in oxygen quantity, and subsequently an increase in salinity levels as
well as pollution. Today, it is estimated that at least 20% of the freshwater fish in the
world are becoming extinct, threatened, or endangered (Bonan 2015).
Briefly identify and explain how some fish species are being threatened by
global warming.
Global warming has contributed to the rise in sea level from 3.0±0.4 millimeters
annually during the 1993–2017 period (Nerem et al. 2018). This rise in sea level has
contributed to the loss of mangroves and wet prairies. Increased salinity is attributed
to rising salt water, and it can damage freshwater ecosystems that have slough and
saw-grass. Plants will have little capacity to adapt to global warming. Furthermore,
many animal and plant species are migrating northward or towards higher altitudes
because of the warming temperatures. They follow comfortable temperatures and
move away from the rising global temperature. Because of this, many animals may
not be able to compete in the new climate regime and may go extinct.
Also, migratory birds and insects currently arrive in their nesting and feeding
grounds days earlier than they did during the twentieth century (Cahill et al.
2012). Warmer temperatures are further anticipated to increase the disease-causing
pathogens that were restricted to tropical areas, leading to the death of animal and
plant species that were insulated from these diseases. If left unchecked, such effects
of global warming are poised to contribute to the disappearance of 50% of the plants
and 30% of animals by 2080.