Question

(min. 80 words) Describe how polluting water with a naturally scarce nutrient (N or P) affects the rate of algal growth, aerobic decomposition, and oxygen depletion in an aquatic ecosystem. Explain how a riparian forest buffer can reduce N and P nutrient pollution of stream water. Name at least two tree species that thrive in riparian habitats and are good choices for planting to restore riparian forest buffers along stream banks. Explain at least one additional ecological mechanism by which a restored riparian forest buffer improves a stream ecosystem.

Answer 1

With the excess amount of nitrogen and phosphorus in water , it cause algae to grow faster than ecosystem . Significant increase in algae harm water quality , food resources and also the habbitat.

Excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus also affect the aerobic decomposition as if the the amount of nitrogen is too high in organic materials the biological activity diminishes.

Excess N and P also affect the lives of fishes and other aquatic organisms by competing for dissolvent oxygen amount in the water bodies and decreasing its level for the fishes and other aquatic bodies.

Nitrogen and phosphorus are most commonly transported nutrient particles through subsurface flows , with peak nitrate levels occuring due to the dormant season after crops have been harvested. Riparian forest buffers have been found to be effective filters for nutrients , including nitrogen, phosphorus. The primary mechanism for removal of nitrogen is denitrification . Denitrification is a process by which nitrogen in the form of nitrate is converted to gasseous N2O anf N2 and released into the atmosphere . Thus riparian forests near the water streams thus help in prwventing nitrogen to flow inside water and other nutrients which pollite the water bodies.

Two tree species that thrive in riparian habbitat are Hackberry and White alder.

Riparian forests along the stream bank also helps in preventing soil erosion to occur.

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