Technology and its Affect the Ecosystem - Essay Example

?Biology 528862) Introduction The advances in technology and the rapid strides in industrialization have to a large extent affected the eco system around us. This is because the industrial waste and fumes from fossil fuel consumption have been releasing toxic wastes back into the environmental affecting the animal life around us. The biodiversity amidst us in the form of bees and other insects that are in some ways responsible for transferring pollen grains from one flower to another have all taken a severe beating. Source: Kluser Stephane and Peduzzi Pascal, 2007, Pollination by bees Worms found in the earth that are responsible for replenishment of the soil by the use of its excreta have also been affected due to constant use of pesticide and other chemicals in our crops. (Johansen CA and Mayer D.F, 1990) The importance of pollinators like bees is such that in an extensive report prepared by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the UN it has been found out that 90% of the food supplies that are used for feeding 146 countries, over 71% of the crops were cross pollinated by bees. Other insects included wasps, beetles and wasps. These insects can therefore be considered as critical agents in the food chain as it is responsible for the reproduction of flowers and food bearing crops. (Free J.B, 1993) Food production to a large extent will be compromised in the event of these natural pollinators fading away. A recent report from North America states that a disease called ‘Israeli acute paralysis’ viruses was responsible for the disappearance of a large percentage of honey bees in what was called ‘ Colony Collapse Disorder’ (CCD). The reasons were mainly attributed to the fact that the origins of the virus were contributed to by humans. (Kluser Stephane and Peduzzi Pascal, 2007) Decline of Pollinators Recent studies conducted in the UK and Netherlands as late as in 2006 suggests that there has been close to 70% reduction of insect pollination for a certain category of wild flowers. (Biesmeijer Jc et al, 2006) Part of the reason is that close to 3.4% of butterflies causing this pollination has become extinct with an equal decrease of 71% of butterfly species. (Warren M.S et al, 2001) Source: Free J.B, 1993, Effect of bees on food output. The other recorded significant event was that of the Colony Collapse Disorder in North America. In 2007 there was major decline of one third of the honey bee population which had a domino effect on the crop production. This is because a major portion of the food crops cultivated by farmers in North America relied on the pollination of bees, butterflies and flies. About 95 different types of food crops are being cross pollinated by these insects. (Morse R.A and Calderone N.W, 2000) Some of the factors that were attributed to this decline in North American bees included attack by parasites known as Varroa Destructor. Imports of African bees also lead to incompatibility issues. The unrestrained uses of pesticides in crops also lead to the death of these bees. (i) Symptom of CCD- Absence of adult bees in the hives was the primary symptom. The presence of a lot of immature bees along with abundance of food in the form of honey was also an indicator. The bee colonies started collapsing and sugar syrup that is fed as food was not being consumed. Further the task force was being limited to only young bees. (Kluser Stephane and Peduzzi Pascal, 2007) (ii) Causes of CCD (a) To overcome the attack from mites these beehives were being subjected to increased dosage of chemicals resulting in irreversible damage. (b) Pathogens like Paenibacillus Larvae and parasites had found their way into the bee ecosystem. (Kluser Stephane and Peduzzi Pascal, 2007) (c) The fitness levels of bees experienced major decline as was deduced by the release of stress proteins. (d) Use of Insecticides. (e) Theories have also suggested the radiations that were emitted by the towers engaged in mobile communication affect the bees in an adverse manner although this has not been substantiated thoroughly. (f) It is said that to breed a capable and efficient workforce of bees the nest needs to be maintained at a temperature of 345? C. If the temperatures are far below this required temperature then the breed shows inadequacies in intelligence. (Kluser Stephane and Peduzzi Pascal, 2007) (g) A new breed of virus called the Israeli Acute Paralysis (IAPV) that has been discovered by the Agricultural Research Service also has contributed to an extent in CCD. (Kluser Stephane and Peduzzi Pascal, 2007) Source: Kluser Stephane and Peduzzi Pascal, 2007, CCD Causes of decline There are a number of causes that have lead to the decline of pollinators. Some of these are 1. Degeneration of the general habitat and surroundings- The strides in urbanisation has lead to the defragmentation of the available land. Bees need undisturbed areas to lay nests and breed. Embankments and recluse hedges gave places for the bees to populate. Laying down these areas into level lands for human habitat has affected nesting adversely. (Biesmeijer Jc et al, 2006) Therefore splitting up the available areas has lead to a decrease in local interbreeding. This has pushed some category on the verge of extinction. Cutting of plants before it flowers also leads to food insufficiency to these bees since this essentially uses its nectar for its sustenance. 2. There are practices in certain areas to coat the seeds with insecticides such as Imidacloprid. This toxin is however transmitted through the entire part of the plant finding its way into the pollen grain and the nectar that is generated by these plants. (Cox C, 2001) Coming into contact with this toxic pollen can pose dangerous issues to the insects visiting these plants. One of the side effects that were reported was that the bees lost their rationalist mind on contact with these chemicals. Changes to the agriculture practices where pollen producing plants are being replaced with wheat crops are affecting pollinators badly since wheat does not provide nectar for the bees succour. 3. There are certain diseases that affect the bee population time to time. Bees are inherently capable of developing resistance mechanisms with the passage of time. However the latest set of viruses like the Varroa mites have surpassed genetic resistances and lead to a significant extinction of a large category of bees as a large number of males have been rendered sterile. (Cane J.H and Tepedino,2001) 4. Increases in the number of carnivores that are attacking these bees have rendered them helpless. 5. Global warming and the associated effects of pollution have also affected significantly the life span of these bees. (Cane J.H and Tepedino,2001) 6. A breed of species of bees from other lands like Africa has also not gone down well with the native bee population as these have remained aggressive and incompatible to each other. Consequences of decline 1. The most significant consequence of pollinator decline is that there would be an overall decline of food production in the entire world since the bees and other insects are the most natural organisms that enhance food production by cross pollination between crops. This would directly affect the production of seeds and fruits. Source: Morse R.A and Calderone N.W, 2000, US Pear production from 1950-1998 It has been well documented that in 1995 the California orchards produced a very low yield of almonds due to insufficient pollination. New Brunswick experienced heavy losses of the blueberry crop and in 1996 the cherry production was very low due to the bees being very badly affected by parasitic mites. (Meffe Gary, 1997) 2. The bee harvesting is a very important sector in Europe and employs thousands of workers to maintain its bee hives. (Williams IH, 1996) Decline in bees would affect their livelihoods and also affect this sector business wise since it provides an important service of providing honey across large tracts of the European countries. 3. Plants that are self compatible can also have serious damages due to breeding within the small tight knit group without being subjected to cross pollination from plants that are located far away. (Wilson E.O, 1999) 4. A symptom known as pistil senescence sets in which is a term used to describe the lack of maturity of growth of the pollen tube leading to delayed production of food crops. (Imbert Fiona, 1997) Source: Imbert Fiona, 1997, Pollen growth in self pollinated pistils of Tonnage Flowers Conclusion It has been taken for granted that these natural pollinators would be performing this free service for the benefit of the humans for a long time to come. However, the current trends have indicated that strong measures need to be taken to sustain the life of these pollinators and provide them an environment which facilitates pollination to take place since a significant number of these insects are on the verge of extinction. With human population increasing by the day and food prices sky rocketing due to increase in fuel prices proper care should be taken during crop cultivation so that a symbiotic relationship is maintained between humans and these global pollinators. Current estimates have put the losses at around 5.7 billion US dollars a year due to decrease in yield of crops as a result of bees getting extinct. Reference Lists 1. Kluser Stephane and Peduzzi Pascal, 2007, Global Pollinator Decline: A Literature Review, UNEP Grid Europe 2. Meffe Gary, 1997, The Potential Consequences of Pollinator Declines on the Conservation of Biodiversity and Stability of Food Crop Yields, Conservation Biology Volume 12. 3. Imbert Fiona, 1997, Delayed Pistil Senescence causes an Overlap in Protogny in ‘Tonnage’ avocado, California Avocado Society 1997 Yearbook. 4. Cox C, 2001, Imidacloprid, Insectide facstsheet, Journal of pesticide Reform Vol 21, available at http://www.pestcide.org, Accessed on 26th April 2011 5. Cane J.H and Tepedino,2001, Causes and extent of decline among native North American invertebrate pollinators, Conservation Ecology vol 5 6. Wilson E.O, 1999, The Diversity of Life, W.W Norton & Company, Inc New York. 7. Morse R.A and Calderone N.W, 2000, The value of honey bees as pollinators of US crops in 2000 8. Williams IH, 1996, Aspects of bee diversity and crop pollination in the European Union, In the Conservation of Bees, Academic Press. 9. Free J.B, 1993, Insect Pollination of Crops, Academic Press. 10. Biesmeijer Jc et al, 2006, Parallel Declines in Pollinators and insect Pollinated plants in Britain and the Netherlands, Science Vol 303. 11. Johansen CA and Mayer D.F, 1990, Pollinator Protection: a bee and pesticide handbook, Wicwas Press. 12. Warren M.S et al, 2001, Rapid responses of British butterflies to opposing forces of climate and habitat change, Nature Volume 414 Read More