Influencers Of Environment

For some strange reason, we have been created with a discriminating power to understand right from wrong but unfortunately, this faculty is not used properly for the well-being of this beautiful planet. Many are suggesting that alternate energy need to be explored, the planet is warming up and carbon emission should be reduced, deforestation should be stopped and so on, and others question that judgment. The discriminating power that was given for proper judgment to the human is often misused to question the requirements of the very existence of this ecosystem. Instead of scientifically trying to prove a point, we can watch the fellow species and their behavior of how they help the environment instead of deriving conclusion scientifically.

Let us review the contributions of plants, animals and insects in no particular order. A large tree can provide enough oxygen for two people. Additionally, trees clean the air by trapping pollutants in their leaves and bark, making the air safer to breathe. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas that becomes trapped in the Earth's atmosphere, increasing global temperatures. Trees save water, since the shade provided by their canopies slows down water evaporation. By increasing atmospheric moisture locally, lawns and plants can benefit from the slow loss of water. Placing trees strategically around homes or office buildings reduce cooling costs by as much as 50 percent. This saves not only money, but energy spent overall, which helps the environment. On average, one large tree can lift-up to 100 gallons of water from the ground and discharge it through the air. When it rains, the roots of the tree can absorb a lot of water that usually becomes runoff and pollutes rivers, lakes, oceans and other water systems. The trees themselves can also filter this water with their root systems, removing pollutants naturally. Trees are the habitats of many animals, and keep ecosystems healthy. Tree roots keep the soil stable by preventing erosion. They also provide nutrients to the soil as leaves and roots decay. Plants and trees are the major source of food for the birds, animals and human-beings.

The earth, its ecosystems, and its creatures are all deeply connected. Thus, the existence of many species depends on the survival of others, and human beings are no exception. As disconnected from nature as many of us humans have become, there are many animals we rely on for our benefit and wellbeing. Believe it or not, many animals actually help people just by performing their natural roles in their environment. And we’re benefiting from their services for free! Ants aid in decomposition and turn up more soil than earthworms! When ants dig tunnels, they aerate the soil and recycle nutrients. This activity is ecologically crucial in maintaining healthy soil for plant (food) growth. Ants even help reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and the need for irrigation. A 2011 study concluded that in dry climates, ants and termites increased wheat crop yields by 36 %. Ants have also been essential to production of coffee and chocolate. Seed-harvesting ants transport seeds to their nutrient rich nests, where plants can safely grow, free of harm from herbivores. Ants sometimes travel far distances with seeds, granting plants their desired dispersal goal for less light, space, nutrition, and water competition with other plants. Why would ants be so kind? Ants enjoy consuming elaiosomes, small structures on the outer surface of seeds, without harming the plant.

Termites are detritivores and decomposers, meaning they consume decomposing plant matter and play vital roles in recycling ecosystem energy, as well as in balancing biogeochemical cycles. Unlike other detritivores, the termite gut is unique in that it contains microorganisms that break down cellulose (building blocks for plants), which is indigestible without this symbiotic relationship. What would we do without termites to clean up all the decomposing material? We might drown is cellulose-based litter, like autumn leaves and tree branches! Of course, it destroys the wood at home as well but how can this small insect differentiate the wood used for construction as opposed to the decomposable material in a tree?

Insectivorous bats, which make up 70% of bat species, perform nocturnal insect control services by consuming millions of pest insects each year. Farmers are grateful to bats because they save billions of dollars of crops each year, while reducing the need for chemical pesticides. In many places of the world, mosquitoes are vectors of deadly diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. A single brown bat can eat up to a thousand mosquitoes in one hour! Bat droppings have significant roles for plant dispersal. Unlike other seed-dispersing animals, fruitivorous bats travel far distances, helping plants to grow and survive in a variety of locations. Due to their effective seed dispersing of plants such as avocados, figs, cashews, and dates, and their aid in restoring forests, bats have been called “farmers of the tropics”. They are also considered keystone species in many tropical and desert ecosystems, meaning the survival of other species (perhaps even humans) depends on bats! Nectar-eating bats are crucial pollinators for over 500 plant species, many of which are ecologically significant. Most flowering plants do not have the ability to produce seeds without being pollinated. When bats drink a flower’s nectar, they subsequently pick up pollen and transfer it as they feed.

Frogs act as bio-indicators, which means they indicate the health of their ecosystems. How? Frog skin is very porous and permeable, allowing substances present in the environment to be absorbed within their fatty tissues. Since these amphibians have the ability to live terrestrially and aquatically, they can indicate contamination dilemmas for both habitats. Since frogs will most often be the first animals to react to biological hazards, they are helpful for warning humans to take action. Though not as effective as bats, frogs do help in insect control. They are also a food source to many carnivorous species and are needed for maintaining balanced ecosystems.

Birds perform a broad variety of ecological roles, including forest decomposition, insect pest control, nutrient recycling, bio-indication of ecosystem health, plant pollination, and seed dispersal. Some ground-dwelling birds even help aerate and turn up soil with their claws. Though ant, termite, bat, and frog species might be the masters of their trades, birds certainly seem like the jack of them all!

Why do we have to argue to determine what is good for the ecosystem instead of looking around the fellow-species, study their behavior and how their behavior helps the environment? Watching nature is the best solution to find out what is good for this ecosystem.

 

Dear Vani,

Thank you for your first response. I am glad you found this post useful to teach your children. Nothing makes me more happier than such comments. Environment is one of my favorite social issues among many and when I write a post about it, I do a lot of research to find accurate information. There is so much more to write but I wanted this to be small enough for the readers to read and assimilate.

With kind regards.

Viswa

 

Dear Smt. Srinivasan:

There used to be a standard saying, "Please leave things as you found them". We are the only species who make a lot of modification to suit our requirements without thinking about how do we compensate improving the nature for our actions. Carbon emission is assumed as acceptable norm. If a factory mixes all its waste in a river, it is acceptable because the factory is producing products. Environment should be given the same level of importance we give for our personal well-being.

If we gain weight, we do everything to reduce weight. If there is pain in our body, we immediately rush to a physician. If we get into depression, we consult a psychologist/psychiatrist. We understand our lifestyle changes, affect our life positively or negatively. Why is it so hard to understand the changes we do to environment will impact our lives as well? If we cut trees, we have to plant equal number of trees.

Viswa