Question

The book talks about different kinds of communities and the different interactions that take place in these communities. Chapter 6 discusses eleven different types of biomes and the impact humans have had on these environments. Read all eleven descriptions. Select the three biomes that you believe have been the most negatively impacted by humans.  Select one negative impact humans have had on each biome. Suggest at least one way that we can work to help cut down or eliminate the human threats that the biomes face.
You will have three biomes; you will write about one negative impact and one solution with each biome.

Answer 1

Biomes

Our world is made up of different types of Biomes and this can be termed as the major splits into which our world is divided or categorized.

Now it is certain that we speaking on human impacts on our environment, there are a lot of negatives as compared to positives.

We humans, are believed to have a deep impact on our environment. So let us take examples of three types of Biomes and example of negative impacts on each type of Biome and then the solution for each type.

1. Grasslands

This is the region (Biome) that has vast coverage of grasslands. There are many regions on our planet that has a vast coverage of grasslands.

There are a number of activities that are carried out by humans that have had a negative impact on these grassland coverage. One of the most prevalent negative impacts is on account of over-grazing of animals.

Over grazing of cattle animals certainly does lead to the end of grasslands. Apart from this, our activities of using up most of the grasslands for cultivation and construction, of residential or commercial premises has also had a negative impact on Grasslands.

We as humans try and occupy or inhabit most areas for our survival purpose.

2. Forests coverage

This certainly is the second type of Biome –the forests of our planet. Today when speaking of forests, it is certain that not much of forests coverage is left. Humans are known to having cutting down of forest trees for timber or other reasons.

We have cut down most of the trees for land usage. Today, most percentage of forest land has been used for human habitation. We cut trees and use the land for residential or industrial purpose. We cut down trees and use the timber for our furniture and other things.

Cutting down of trees by human certainly has had a negative impact on this Biome. As we are already aware that trees and forest are home to many different types of animals and bird species. If there are less or no trees, then we also destroy the natural habitat of animal and birds.

With trees we lose lot of wild life (animals and birds). The next major negative impact of cutting down of trees is that we promote in soil erosion and as there are not many trees (forest overage ) left so we experience lots of floods in most parts of the world today.

There are not many forests that can help in stopping flood water on account of rains. Less forest coverage also affect the Carbon – Oxygen ratio on our planet as less trees means more Carbon di Oxide and less of Oxygen.

3. Fresh Water

This covers all water bodies that are not saline by nature. The water that is only having around 1 percent or less of salt mixed to it can be called as fresh water. This source of water is drinkable for humans and other life forms.

As statistics we know that 70 percent or more of our planet is water but not all of that water can be used for drinking purpose. Water that is available in the sea cannot be bought for dinking purpose as it is saline.

Less percentage of water is actually made available from Glaciers and rains. This is the water that gets collected under-ground or as lakes, ponds of river.

This is the water that does not get mixed with sea water. As we have cut down a lot of trees, so, not much of rain water is actually bought to use. Most of the rain water (fresh water) is allowed to flow and mix directly with the sea water.

This has a negative impact as we are not able to use this water for drinking purpose.

Now to speak of what humans can do to help save these three Biomes

Well, it is certain that if we want to act then it is the right time for us to act.

1. To save forest coverage it is obvious that we have to promote planting more number of forest trees back, even after they are cut down.

2. We need to ensure that our fresh water sources are protected and maintained.

3. We have to take care that industrial waste is not allowed to flow into the fresh water source.

4. Above all the most important thing that we as humans can do is to ensure that we reduce Green House effects.