Many scientists consider humans as the most invasive species, as humans can greatly change an environment and impact living things that reside there. Are we being stewards of the world? Take a look at an issue in which human intervention has positively or negatively affected the biodiversity of our ecosystem.
The world has drastically changed over a great period of time. It does not look the way it looked before. The climates are changing, there isn't as much vegetation, there is too pollution. Pollution in the air, water, on the ground. One big issue that human intervention that has negatively affected the biodiversity of our ecosystem would be the pollution in the water.
The pollution in the water has gone from bad to worst. Constant oil spills in the ocean that goes into the little lakes and streams. Also toxic chemicals that are released into waterways as waste. This makes the chemical balance in the water change constantly. The chemicals can cause problems with the taste, odour and colour of the water. Animals can experience some difficulties with this. They can have reduced fertility, generic deformities, immune system damage, and death. This is also harmful for plants and even plants.
In the water there is now a high concentration of phosphors and nitrogen which comes from fertilizers. This enriches the nutrients, thus causing the plants in the water to bloom. When this happens it chokes off the oxygen supply that is shared with other organisms living in the water. When the plants die they decompose, which makes them use even more oxygen. This makes some animals die because of suffocation and bacterial activity decreases. Other sources contaminate groundwater are: fertilizers on agricultural land, pesticides on agricultural land and forest, contaminants in rain, snow, and dry atmosphere.
Acid rain is another cause of water pollution. The acid rain lowers the pH level of lakes and rivers. Which means that it makes the water more acidic. When this happens fish begin to die. Plants start to disappear. Acid rain can also harm humans. It frees the toxic metals and goes into the water
sources. These toxic metals will get into the drinking water supply and will contaminate those. If the water becomes too acidic it can wear away the water pipes. Toxic metals can be absorbed from water by fruits, vegetables, and in the tissues of animals. There are studies that explain how mercury that gather in the organs and tissues of animals has been linked to with brain damage in children, nerve disorders heart problems and death.
In conclusion, human has prevented the water to become very polluted. If this keeps up it will be hard to find good, fresh, reliable water. We should try to prevent this from happening.
Bibliography
"Ecosystems." The Marine Society & Sea Cadets.
"Freshwater Website: Groundwater contamination from a waste disposal site." Environnement Canada - Environment Canada.
"Freshwater Website: Water Pollution (Accelerated aquatic plant growth)." Environnement Canada - Environment Canada. 2008-07-24 .
http://www.ec.gc.ca/water/en/manage/poll/e_plant.htm
"Freshwater Website: Water Pollution (Leaking underground storage tanks and piping)." Environnement Canada - Environment Canada. 2008-07-24
