Ecology is a branch of biology, which studies the environmental interactions of the environment and with the organisms and plants, which are living in it. The purpose of ecology is to educate how an ecosystem, in a certain area works, which animals, plants, insects and humans are present and how they influence each other (Anonymous, 2017).
I have chosen the Florida Keys, my favorite place to be, to describe ecology. The Florida Keys are an archipelago, a string of islands, which together amount to 1700 islands. Many of these islands are not big enough for human habitation, yet host an abundance of plants, animals, and insects. Due to the abundance of life in the Florida Keys, I will only name a few of the many species common to this biome.
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“Coral reefs are called the rainforest of the ocean because of the diversity of organisms found there (Anonymous, 2017)”. The corrals are constructed of coral pulp, the skeleton made of calcareous material. Many fish, worms, algae, and numerous marine organisms form a preciously balanced habitat, surrounding the centerpiece, the coral reef. However, the Florida Keys offer many more habitats, like the mangrove forests, and turtle grass for communities of other animals and fish to live …show more content…
The calm, warm water is a trademark of shallow lagoons, which serve as nurseries for fragile juvenile fish and precious other organisms which otherwise would perish in the turbulent waters of the reef or the oceanic waves. When the high tropical air and water temperatures collide with the cooler water and air temperatures during Hurricane season the reef faces destruction from high waves, hurricane winds, and the stirred up sediments from the ocean floor, causing branches of the corals to break off and the debris from the stirred up settles on top of the reef smothering the algae to suffocate and die off because the dust blocks the sunlight as well. The recent category 5 hurricane, most likely had a terrible impact on the reef, the rapidly organized evaluation of the damage found that extensive movement of the sand and major sediment accumulations covering the reef, causing structural damage to corals and the reef itself, in addition to cloudy water preventing the sunlight to penetrate the water. All these results of the latest hurricane have an impact on the reef and it is unknown how long it will take for the reef to recover (Anonymous, 2017) . The Florida Reef tract, stretching circa 580 km, is the only living barrier reef in the USA and extremely important of the state’s ocean economy. The region depends on the tourism
Ecology is defined as a “system theory used to describe and analyze people and other living systems and their
Nature designed Florida to be one large marine ecosystem. Florida is one big sand peninsula located below the 40th longitudinal North American line. Three bodies of salt water (Gulf of Mexico, Strait of Florida and Atlantic Ocean) surround three out of four directions of Florida. Man-made canals, natural lakes, rivers and estuaries are confined within the State of Florida’s physical boundaries. All of these form an interlocking system of waterways that impact the interconnected marine environment (marine ecosystem). All of Florida’s waterways are connected back to the surrounding bodies of water while passing through Florida’s sub-tropical and temperate zones and impact the delicate marine ecosystem balance. Man and nature are causing a negative impact to this region like never before. Hurricanes, lack of green initiatives, garbage, pollution and the stripping of natural resources for population growth are decimating Florida’s natural ecosystems.
1. Alden, Peter, Rich Cech, and Gil Nelson. 1998. National Audubon Society Field Guide to Florida. New York: Knopf.
Miami is full sunny days year round, which means that the beaches are always accessible. I decided to take a stroll down to the beach. The feeling of the sand caressing my toes and the water engulfing my body is like no other. A small fish decided to tickle my toes and then nonchalantly swam away. As the sand rose I noticed how clear the water was. Miami truly does have beautiful beaches that are blossoming with life. The sand was a beautiful tan while the water was crystal clear. The green and brown algae surrounding the area was swaying with the waves. They rendered helpless to the wave’s push and
The Florida Manatee’s popular marine species in the tropical environment of Florida are currently considered an “endangered species”. The ecology (the relationships between living organisms and their interactions with their natural or developed environment), for the manatee (trichechus manatus), requires and is generally restricted to the inland and coastal waters of peninsular Florida during the winter, when they shelter in and/or near warm-water springs, heated industrial effluents, and other warm water sites (as stated in Research Gate (1997) Hartman 1979, Lefebvre et al). The Florida (West Indian) Manatee, An Endangered Species, has no known predators other than humans; in the past, humans hunted
Vacation is the one thing that people look forward to throughout the year. People usually think of it as a time to relax, unwind, and enjoy an amazing tropical getaway. Maybe it’s chilling at the beach or taking the night out, vacation is always something fun for anyone. Imagine yourself soaking in the sun, laying by the shore, breathing in the salty air, and laying under a palm tree. People can experience this all right along the island of Key West. Key West is an exciting vacation for the whole family to enjoy that includes snorkeling to amazing seafood.
Coral reefs around the world are in danger. One of the causes is global warming, which has been increasing the temperature of the ocean water resulting in coral bleaching. This essay will focus on damage occurring to the Great Barrier Reef.
Nowlis, J., Roberts, C., Smith, A., and Siirila, E., 1997, Human Enhanced Impacts of a Tropical Storm on Nearshore Coral Reefs: Ambio, v. 26, no. 8, p. 515-521.
Oceans cover 71% of the earth’s surface. The talk of climate change can often seem to focus on what is happening in our atmosphere, but there is a lot of change going on in our oceans. The oceans have absorbed 90% of the excess heat and 28% of the carbon pollution generated by human consumption of fossil fuels (Nuccitelli 2015). The purpose of this paper is to show how the effects of climate change effect the coral reefs in our oceans, with a focus on the coral reef systems in the Caribbean and of the Great Barrier Reef. The Caribbean coral reefs are well known to have suffered more damage between the two reef systems. That’s not to say that the Great Barrier Reef has not suffered its own damage. It has and will continue to suffer in the future.
This article discusses how important the organisms symbiotic with coral reefs are, as well as how important coral reefs are to our environment. Also explained is how natural and non natural things things like hurricanes and overfishing affects them. A study is quoted about how water acidity also plays a role in the bleaching of corals. Lastly, restoration and conservation efforts are discussed and how we could possibly help our oceans.
Coral reefs are well known for their colorful array of marvelous sights including a parade of exotic flora and fauna. They are said to be the foundation for a quarter of marine species, and are a crucial support for human life as well. The coral reef ecosystem is a diverse collection of species (ranging from microscopic to larger-than-life in size) that interact with each other and their physical environment. If any piece of a coral reef is harmed or removed the entire community can be seriously affected, even to the point of collapse. Unfortunately, human impact has resulted in long-term stresses that, unlike the short-term stress of natural disasters, coral reefs are not as capable to recover from. “Approximately half of the world’s coral reef ecosystem resources are considered by scientists to be in 'poor' or 'fair' condition and have declined over time due to several anthropogenic threats” (“Status of Corals” par. 2). Through poorly administered commercial practices, carelessness and ignorance among the common people, and human aggravated natural processes coral reef destruction has become a serious issue afflicting the world’s biodiversity and it’s intricate biosphere mechanics (“Human Impact on the Great Barrier Reef” 1) (“What Are Coral Reefs?” 1).
Environmental Studies is the academic field, which systematically studies human interaction with the environment in which we live in. It is a broad field of study that includes the natural environment, built environment, and the sets of relationships between them. Environmental studies takes into account many different factors that help provide an enjoyable, fruitful way of life, such as national policies, politics, laws, economics, sociology and other social aspects, planning, pollution control, natural resources, and the interactions of human beings and nature.
These reefs provide a house for many species. If the coral reefs were to become
The branch of science that deals with how living things, including humans, are related to their surroundings is called ecology . The Earth supports some 5 million species of plants, animals, and microorganisms. These interact and influence their surroundings, forming a vast network of interrelated environmental systems called ecosystems. The arctic tundra is an ecosystem and so is a Brazilian rain forest. The islands of Hawaii are a relatively isolated ecosystem. If left undisturbed, natural environmental systems tend to achieve balance or stability among the various species of plants and animals. Complex ecosystems are able to compensate for changes caused by weather or intrusions from migrating animals and are therefore usually said to be more stable than simple ecosystems. A field of corn has only one dominant species, the corn plant, and is a very simple ecosystem. It is easily destroyed by drought, insects, disease, or overuse. A forest may remain relatively unchanged by weather that would destroy a nearby field of corn, because the forest is characterized by greater diversity of plants and animals. Its complexity gives it stability.
Today many people do not see the need to preserve corals reefs. Hence because of the lack of appreciation for the reefs, they are slowly disappearing. Many citizens do not realize the importance of these reefs, the species they hold, and the food webs that connect the ecosystems. Our American government has stated many times that they are doing all they can to preserve and to replenish our coral reefs. However, how accurate is that statement? To answer these questions, we first have to understand what a coral reef is and how it can be saved.