Ecologies and Environments United States - Essay Example

? Ecologies and Environments – United s Key Words: Climate change, global warming environment, ecology, resources, ecosystem, Surroundings, Rocky Mountains, Species, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1. Describe your local and surrounding ecologies and environments The U.S local environments and ecologies mostly vary markedly in all the states, which is contrary to other bordering countries that experience almost the same climatic conditions. This is so because the United States are located at diverse latitudes despite belonging to the same vast geographical region. U.S. natural environment comprises of both the lowlands and highlands where forests characterize the latter regions. Consequently, this makes these regions much colder together with their surrounding plains, for example, the Northern American Rocky Mountains. According to ecologists’ studies, the Rocky Mountains, despite having a snow cover, do have diverse biotic zones that start from tops and extend to the lowlands and plains (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012). The biotic zones usually serve as essential habitats for numerous animals and plants, for instance, Tundra in Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The wildlife available in the Rocky Mountains encompasses elk, mule, pronghorns, black bears, coyotes and grizzly bears. In addition, owing to the fact the U.S. seashores at both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, the near states usually experience varying climate patterns compared to those of the interior regions (EPA, 2012). In addition, U.S like other industrial states has also experienced the increased predicament of obnoxious gas emissions from its chemical industries. However, as compared to the previous years the emissions have decreased because of the awareness the environmental authorities have created among the citizens to deal with the problem of global warming. For instance, the carbon monoxide emissions dropped from 114,465 in 2000 to 77,685 in 2008 despite minor fluctuations witnessed in between the years (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012). The forest cover occupies approximately one third of the total U.S.’ land; it provides habitats for numerous wild animals, not to mention other organisms. Forests have also benefited the society through the provision of clean water, reaction sites (camping and touring) and absorbing excess CO2, especially that generated by different industries (Rahm, 2010). Presently, the U.S. is experiencing habitat range rifts where numerous species are relocating to the Northern colder latitudes, for example, boreal forests, which are almost replacing Tundra vegetation (Christiansen, Markstrom & Hay, 2011). This has led to negative impacts on numerous species’ habitats and wildlife that rely solely on Tundra ecosystem like snowy owl, for example. The reason can be found in the fact that temperatures are constantly increasing, especially in the central regions, which have yielded to the extinction of some animal species like American Pika etc (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012). List the specific factors that distinguish your local ecology and environment. 1. Range shifts - species are relocating to the Northern colder regions due to global warming and unpredictable climatic conditions. 2. Food web interruption due to the increasing rate of range shifts. 3. Precipitation, which has led to the increasing of the oceans’ water levels. 4. Forest cover, though it occupies the third of the U.S total land. 5. Rocky Mountains characterized by diverse biotic zones. Discuss how human activities have affected your local ecosystems Mining in US has become a serious threat to both the ecosystem and human life despite diverse state’s environmental agencies implementing strict rules and regulations to control it (Withington, 2012). The main threat lies in the release of obnoxious gases straight into the atmosphere and discharging of heavy metals into the water masses, which affects aquatic life (UGCRP, 2009). These heavy metals include cyanide, lead and mercury, which not only affect aquatic life, but public lands as well. Mining has also yielded to soil erosion, which, in turn, contributes to the increasing rate of climate change experienced in the US besides affecting agriculture (Rahm, 2010). Figure 1: Ohio River shoreline showing a stream of polluted water emanating from a mining company. Retrieved from http://www.pollutionissues.com/Li-Na/Mining.html Industrial emissions have severely affected local ecosystems (Beil, 2009). Numerous industries, despite tight procedures set by relevant environmental authorities, sometimes exceed the required discharge levels or rates. Consequently, this contributes to the global warming as some of the obnoxious gases (CL2 and HFCs) released into the atmosphere continue to deplete the ozone layer (Christiansen, Markstrom & Hay, 2011). Besides numerous forest fires in the U.S associated with lightening and volcanic eruptions, studies have confirmed human carelessness as another contributing factor (Christiansen, Markstrom & Hay, 2011). This carelessness shows up especially during camping when tourists throw glowing cigarette butts while camping or touring in the forests. Consequently, this has led the U.S. government to have incurred great losses, especially in 2006, which marks the only year with numerous forest fires, when fire burnt not just forests but domestic houses (Beil, 2009). Overfishing is also another human activity that has severely affected U.S. local ecology and environment. The excessive fishing of the big fish like sharks besides accidental catching of the unnecessary aquatic life species has lead to the destocking of numerous species from the U.S. oceans, hence, affecting ecosystems. This is because most of the employed methods coupled with fishing intervals do not allow adequate time, especially for the large fish, to reproduce itself and reach maturity (Withington, 2012). Additionally, the elimination of the large fish like sharks from the U.S.’ part of Pacific Ocean, has immensely affected its communities’ surroundings, which solely rely on fishing for survival (EPA, 2012). Some of the fish species have become extinct while others are shifting to the Northern colder latitudes. Describe the ways that global warming might affect your local ecosystems Temperature rise might go on increasing the already experienced rate of precipitation (Withington, 2012). Therefore, this will lead to rising of oceans’ water levels, heavy downpour, and rapid retreating of glaciers, which would affect human life in turn (UGCRP, 2009). Additionally, global warming will also affect agriculture where its yield will be scanty owing to the emerging cases of diverse, destructive pests and diseases. Since, unpredictable climatic patterns have prompted certain pests resulting to feeding on diverse plants as a way of adapting to their changing present environment. Moreover, owing to the increase of the ozone layer depletion, there is a high probability of cancer and other related diseases accelerated by excessive exposure to the sun’s rays (Christiansen, Markstrom & Hay, 2011). The absence of effective and timely measures meant to solve the global warming problem will lead to the snow bears’ extinction and other endangered animals (UGCRP, 2009). High temperatures will cause more ice melting, which, in turn, will affect the bears’ habitats and other animals that normally live in cold regions, not to mention plants. Relative to other parts of the world, would your local ecosystems be affected more or less? The U.S.’ ecosystem compared to other similar industrialized states will not experience severe global warming effects. This is so as the people’s awareness regarding environment grows; due to the elaborated information and educational policy of the relevant authorities and agencies. Such as, for instance, United States Environmental Protection Agency – EPA besides others in each state (EPA, 2012). In addition, the U.S. has devised diverse environmental strategies and ways that would ensure its natives continue to conserve the environment, for instance, going green programs (Withington, 2012). This is contrary to other developing states where despite having implemented diverse measures meant to safeguard their environment, they are not effective (EPA, 2012). Despite the U.S. initially not agreeing fully with Kyoto protocol’s please to reduce industrial emissions, presently the states has implemented its effective measures (Schwirzenbeck, Ko?rber & Barth, 2008). Hence, improving the quality of its air, which is contrary to the other heavily industrialized states like China where sometimes its atmosphere turns misty. This is because of particulate matter emissions in the air besides some of their rivers turning red owing to their uncontrolled industrial effluent discharge. References Beil, M. (2009). Going 'green' in long-term care. Long-Term Living: For The Continuing Care Professional, 58(1), 30. Christiansen, D. E., Markstrom, S. L., & Hay, L. E. (2011). Impacts of climate change on the growing season in the United States. Earth Interactions, 15(33), 1-17. doi:10.1175/2011EI376.1 Rahm, D. (2010). Climate change policy in the United States: The science, the politics, and the prospects for change. Jefferson, N.C: McFarland & Co. Schwirzenbeck, M., Ko?rber, C., & Barth, K. (2008). The Kyoto Protocol. Mu?nchen: GRIN Verlag. U.S. Census Bureau. (2012). The 2012 statistical abstract: Geography & environment. Retrieved from U.S. Global Change Research Program - UGCRP. (2009). Global climate change impacts in the United States: A state of knowledge report. England: Cambridge University Press. United States Environmental Protection Agency - EPA. (2012). Coastal areas’ impacts & adaptation. Retrieved from Withington, T. (2012). Navies going green: The green revolution at sea. Naval Forces, 33(3), 10-18. Read More