biomesandecosystems essay
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Dec 6, 2023
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Biome and Ecosystem Essay
A biome is a geographical location mainly defined by its climatic elements and similar
vegetation that have adapted to the soil and climate types (GCU, 2015). Within biomes are
ecosystems defined by their living components (biotic factors) and nonliving components
(abiotic factors). Every ecosystem has keystone species; those that are crucial to an ecosystem
because of their effect on multiple species (GCU, 2015). An example of a biome would be the
aquatic biome which includes both freshwater and saltwater. Some examples from the Arctic
Ocean ecosystem that will be discussed are the ringed seal, which is a keystone species, the
European green crab which is invasive, and the Polar Bear which is endangered.
A keystone species greatly affects an ecosystem, and its absence would be detrimental
(GCU, 2015). The ringed seal is a keystone species in an Arctic Ocean ecosystem because they
are a higher trophic-level predator as well as a key prey (Hamilton et al., 2015). In an arctic food
web, the ringed seal can be seen as a predator of animals like arctic cod and krill but is prey to
larger predators like polar bears and orcas. Without the ringed seal, a major food source would be
lost for larger mammals and there could be an abundance of fish eaten by the seals, majorly
affecting the ecosystem overall. Many ecosystems have been negatively affected by invasive
species which are mainly human-caused.
An invasive species is a species that has been introduced to another geographical area and
is not native (Rickett, 2020). An example of an invasive threat in the Arctic ecosystem as well as
other ecosystems across the globe is the European green crab. Because of the extreme climate in
the Arctic, there have not been many invasive species. However, because of climate change and
melting ice, ships can sail through Arctic waters where they have not been able to before (Ware,
2013). Because of this, there is a growing concern about potentially introducing invasive species
into the arctic through ships. The European green crab can survive out of water for up to five
days and is extremely hardy (Gov. of Canada). It is aggressive, territorial, and can tolerate a
broad range of water temperatures and salinity (Gov. of Canada). Though the European green
crab is not the only concern for potential species in the arctic, it is one to be aware of because of
how easily they can be spread through sailing. The best option would be to keep ships from
sailing across the arctic waters at all regardless of their efficiency because it is not worth further
risking the arctic ecosystem. Most ecosystems have a species that is threatened or endangered
and the arctic ecosystem is no exception.
An endangered species is characterized by being at risk for extinction while threatened
species are those at risk of becoming endangered sooner than later (GCU, 2015). The polar bear,
among others, is a prominent endangered species in the Arctic ecosystem. It is at the top of the
food chain and responsible for balancing the arctic food chain and ecosystem. Polar bears are
another example of a keystone species as well because of how they hunt seals, walrus, birds, and
occasionally whales, keeping the populations balanced. The main cause of the polar bear
population decline is climate change because the ice melting greatly reduces their habitat. There
has been more of an effort to prevent further damage from climate change, especially in the
arctic by people reducing their carbon footprint, reducing fossil fuel emissions, and buying
products better for the environment. Much of the effort has been pushed through laws pushing
for electric vehicles and renewable energy sources.
Every ecosystem has keystone species; those that are crucial to an ecosystem because of
their effect on multiple species (GCU, 2015). Other factors to look at within an ecosystem are if
there are invasive or endangered species and how these factors will negatively affect the
ecosystem. Some examples from the Arctic Ocean are the ringed seal, which is a keystone
species, the European green crab which is invasive, and the Polar Bear which is endangered.
Arctic food chains must be kept balanced to ensure the health and survival of the ecosystem.
References
Government of Canada, F. and O. C. (2022, March 14).
Government of Canada
. Government of
Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Communications Branch. https://www.dfo-
mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/profiles-profils/europeangreencrab-crabevert-eng.html
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Grand Canyon University. (Ed.). (2015).
Environmental science: The human impact on natural
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.
Hamilton, C. D., Lydersen, C., Ims, R. A., & Kovacs, K. M. (2015). Predictions replaced by
facts: a keystone species' behavioural responses to declining arctic sea-ice.
Biology
letters
,
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(11), 20150803.
https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2015.0803
Rickett, J. (2020). Introduced and exotic species.
Salem Press Encyclopedia
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Ware, C. (2013, November 25).
Arctic at risk from invasive species
. The Ecologist.
https://theecologist.org/2013/nov/25/arctic-risk-invasive-species