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Shark Ecosystem Article
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A Freshwater ecosystem reflects the health of its surrounding landscape.
from:The importance of understanding the freshwater ecosystem involves the life forms and plant cultures that are part of the healthy environment. The freshwater ecosystem is a fresh water environment that can reveal the health of a local area. Fresh water environments in contrast to salt water environments have specific life forms that show its overall health. Toxins or pollution can effect the freshwater ecosystem adversely.
The healthy freshwater ecosystem will have a balance of both plant and animal living with in its parameters. Studying the balance between plant and animal and soil, sedges and underlying strata can give an overall view of the quality of the water table and land. The freshwater ecosystem begins with what lives in the water. From the smallest microbes, single cell creatures to the guppies, leeches and midges, only clean water can sustain life. The plants that convert oxygen for these creatures are as important as the fauna. With human activity impacting on the freshwater environment, toxins can effect the quality of the freshwater ecosystem. If toxins effect the water, plants can die. Without plants to add oxygen to the water, the creatures might perish. Without the smallest life forms in the food chain, the ripple effect can lead to other species dying out or leaving the Freshwater environment.
If the freshwater ecosystem is not balanced, or there are impurities in the water that the life forms cannot deal with then one of the first to suffer or leave the environs, is the humble leech. Leeches have long been an indicator of the freshwater ecosystem’s health status. Leeches are found where water quality is good.
Without clear clean water, filtered by ample plant life or good drainable soil, the larger animals will need to find other sources of water. Birds, spiders, lizards, rodents, rabbits and larger mammals are all reliant on a healthy freshwater ecosystem.
Fertilizer, oil, introduced species, pollution, fishing can all upset the delicate balance that exists in a healthy freshwater ecosystem. Agriculture and the impact of human activity on the freshwater ecosystem can effect the quality and purity of soil and water.
Rain, climate, drought, humidity, rising salinity are all important factors that can effect the freshwater ecosystem beyond the initial impact of human activity. Maintaining the balance, keeping every species alive and in good numbers will ensure a healthy, vital freshwater ecosystem.
The food chain, from tiny water borne creatures that feed midges and insects that feed birds, to the rabbits that feed foxes and the grasses that feed cattle and sheep, all depend on the freshwater ecosystem to sustain their lives. The quality of clean water in the freshwater ecosystem is actually of global importance. Fresh water is essential to life on this planet.
Shark Ecosystem Specific links
Shark Ecosystem News
New York Considers Banning Shark Fin Soup - Care2.com (blog)
 3News NZ | New York Considers Banning Shark Fin Soup Care2.com (blog) Council Member Daniel Dromm agreed, saying, “We must to put an end to the shark fin trade before it is too late. The practice is both cruel and reckless, and the effects on our ecosystem have been devastating.” Indeed, some shark populations have ... Big bite |
Reef sharks vanishing near populated islands - msnbc.com
 Mother Nature Network | Reef sharks vanishing near populated islands msnbc.com [ On the Brink: A Gallery of Wild Sharks ] Marc Nadon Paired scuba divers record shark sightings while being towed behind a small boat. Combining that data with information on human population, habitat complexity, availability of food and sea-surface ... Mounting Evidence Suggests Sharks Are In Serious Trouble Pacific reef sharks vanishing near populated islands Oceans: Some reef shark populations drop 90 percent |
Cuban and American Scientists work to bridge political gap between Cuba, US - Cuba Headlines
Cuban and American Scientists work to bridge political gap between Cuba, US Cuba Headlines Cuban and American scientists have joined forces in an effort to protect baby sea turtles and endangered sharks. They're studying Caribbean weather patterns that fuel the hurricanes that have devastated the Southeastern United States. |
Hong Kong: Activists Protest Shark Fin Trade - Voice of America
 Voice of America | Hong Kong: Activists Protest Shark Fin Trade Voice of America Conservationists say the over-fishing of apex predators has a negative effect on the ocean ecosystem. But they say there is some good news. Younger generations in China are increasingly reluctant to partake of shark fin. Nina Whittaker, a student at Li ... |
'Dramatic drop' in sharks - Fiji Times
'Dramatic drop' in sharks Fiji Times The Mamanuca Environment Society's (MES) last shark population count in April showed there were only a total of 40 species of white and black tip sharks in the region. MES media officer Emosi Lasaqa said, "Sharks are an important part of the ecosystem. |