Without even thinking about it, we are a part of what is called an ecosystem.
All the plants and animals that are found in a particular location are grouped as ecosystems.
Within each ecosystem every living and non-living life form depends on each other to survive.
We are a system.
Disturbances, such as changes in the environment caused by people, can be disastrous to all the living organisms within the ecosystem.
A food chain describes how energy and nutrients move through an ecosystem. Every ecosystem has one or more food chains. At the base level there are plants that make their own food. They are called producers. Creatures that eat other living things are called consumers. The food chain is an essential part of an ecosystem. If the natural food chain is upset, the ecosystem is disturbed.
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Urban development is the clearing of land to build cities, industrial areas and housing. When trees, bush and scrub are cleared, nutrients in the soil are destroyed and animals lose their homes and plants lose their food sources. Human construction continues today at a rapid rate all over the world.
Deforestation is the cutting down of trees for human use. Seventy eight million acres of the world’s rainforests are deliberately destroyed each year by humans. Trees are needed as a natural air filter as they take in the dangerous carbon dioxide that humans breathe out. Trees also help to prevent flooding and provide homes for animals.
Human-made cars, trucks, boats and planes all emit toxic gases into the air creating air pollution. People also use pesticides to stop their food crops from being eaten by bugs. These pesticides seep into groundwater, rivers and lakes, poisoning ecosystems.
Overfishing is unregulated and irresponsible fishing. It happens when too many fish are caught in one area. If too many adult fish are caught and are not left to reproduce, fish supplies can deplete and food chains are affected.
As well as humans, natural disasters and changes in weather patterns can also affect the delicate balance of an ecosystem.
These natural disasters include:
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