North American Fields Ecosystem

Students: James Lavecchia, Sierra Brent, Thea Blue, Sterling Burd, Makayla Donahue, Makayla Grady

BioL 102- 014: Gupta, Gourab

Febrauray 16, 2023

Figure 1. North American Field. Image from: https://www.pexels.com/search/field/

Ecosystem Facts:

North America benefits greatly from its fertile soils, plentiful freshwater, oil and mineral deposits, and forests (National Geographic).
Mammals like prairie dogs, bison, elk, deer, and pronghorns graze on the grasses and other plants that grow (NPS.com).

Threats to the Ecosystem:

Fire's: The suppression of natural fires throughout the region has caused the scrub to overgrow. When the scrub becomes too dense, habitat quality is reduced, leaving fewer animals with suitable environments and fewer plants an opportunity to grow (Critical Ecosystem). This is causing many animals to lose their home.

Figure 2. Field on Fire. Image from: https://grist.org/climate/un-report-warns-climate-change-could-spur-50-more-wildfires-by-2100/

Floods: In an ecosystem the flood can cause irriverasible damage. When water suspends over the land sediment is moved to clog riverbeds, creeks, suficate aquatic orginsisms, and remove natural habitats formed by native animals. It can also lead to the spreading of weed species killing previusly health isolated plants.

Figure 3. Climate Change. Image from: https://www.waste360.com/waste/understanding-history-climate-change-science

The Climate Crisis: This can effcet the land causing many people and animals to lose access to this piece of land. Meaning that this can disrupt food availability, reduce access to food, and affect food quality (Climate Change). Climate change is not only effecting the ecosystems, but it is also effecting the human race.

Changes in Land: Changes in land has been identified as the main driver of “unprecedented” biodiversity and ecosystem change over the past 50 years (The Guardian). This is causing the ecosystem to have to adapt to the changes when they are used to their normal way. As well as their creatures are forced to learn how to live a new way of life.

Figure 4. Changes in Land. Image from: https://www.nature.com/collections/gfighafagd

Figure 5. Cat. Image from: https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-invasive-species-and-why-are-they-problem

Invasive Species: They can cause harm to wildlife in many ways. When a new, aggressive organism is brought to the fields, it can breed and spread across quickly which can cause economic and ecological damages (US Department of the Interior).

Pollution: Pollution can cause a threat to biodiversity. Air pollution tends to the air quiality between physical, chemical, and even biological components that are able to change the natural environment (The Science of Air, 2023). This can cause an impact on organism, crops, and humans.

Figure 6. Pollution. Image from: https://sage-answers.com/is-pollution-a-threat-to-biodiversity/

References:

“This Land Is Your Land | Environment.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, https://www.theguardian.com/environment/series/this-land-is-your-land.

“US EPA.” Climate Impacts on Agriculture and Food Supply | Climate Change Impacts | US EPA, https://climatechange.chicago.gov/climate-impacts/climate-impacts-agriculture-and-food-supply.

What is an invasive species and why are they a problem? What is an invasive species and why are they a problem? | U.S. Geological Survey. (n.d.). Retrieved February 14, 2023, from https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-invasive-species-and-why-are-they-problem

Sage-Answers. (2020, February 5). Is pollution a threat to biodiversity? Sage. Retrieved February 14, 2023, from https://sage-answers.com/is-pollution-a-threat-to-biodiversity/

jurisdiction=Queensland; sector=government; corporateName=Department of Environment and Science. (n.d.). What are the consequences of floods? Office of the Queensland Chief Scientist. Retrieved February 15, 2023, from https://www.chiefscientist.qld.gov.au/publications/understanding-floods/flood-consequences