Freshwater
Ashleigh Bailey
Enquiry question...
What would happen if something were to change the landscape of a particular biome?
If something were to change in the landscape of the freshwater biome, not only would the animals and surrounding flora have to adapt to the newly surrounding environment, but so would the humans and various other organisms. The landscape would change drastically if the temperature was increased or decreased. This would affect the water temperature and the surrounding flora and fauna. If the landscape changed the flora would be most affected, this is because of how the flowering roots are positioned in and around the water. If the landscape were to change the roots and flowers would have to adapt to an entirely new environment.
What if the temprature were to rise or lower significantly?
If the temperature were to rise the biome would suffer greatly. The freshwater biome would would suffer due to the rise in temperature, as the water may dry up or be used by humans. Not only would there be a small supply of water, but the animals would have to find a new place to call their home. Additionally the biome would suffer if the temperature decreased, this would majorly affect the biome. If the temperature was to lower in significant amounts, the biome has the possibility of freezing over. This would not only affect humans and their society, but the animals and surrounding plants as well. If the plants die, then the animals that eat the plants die. As well as the carnivorous animals. Thus setting off a chain reaction to the biome dying.
What if a developer wants to buld on the land; what if an animal becomes extinct?
If a land developer were to build on the freshwater biome land, all the flora would be destroyed and all the fauna would have to find new places to live. The surfaces would have to be flattened and water would have to be drained, this takes a tremendous amount of time and money. Once again this would cause trouble for the flowers and surrounding animals. Additionally, if an animal from the freshwater biome became extinct, this would be a major problem for the biome and other animals. For example if freshwater fish suddenly became extinct, the population of animals that depend on fish to survive would decrease. The fauna that eat fish would have to find other foods to eat, and might slowly become extinct themselves. Thus creating a chain link that will slowly kill off other animals that all depend on one another to survive.
What if a plant was destoryed, or the rainfall greatly increases or decreases?
If a single plant was destroyed not much impact would be made on the biome, however if the entire species or plant was destroyed then there would be a problem. If a plant were to be destroyed (for example cattail) then there would be no where for the fish or tadpoles to seek shelter or hide from predators. This would also mean the biome has to change and the animals have to readapt to a biome without the cattail plant. Plants can also be affected by the amount of rainfall. If there is too much rainfall in the biome, the plants will drown or be consumed underwater. However if there is not enough rainfall the plant will die from lack of water. Yes the plant could survive off the water from the biome, however what happens when the biome dries up? There will be no water and with very little rainfall the plant will just die.
What is the importance of understanding the interdependent roles of plants, animals, the physical landscape and the influences of humans on the biomes of the world?
It is of importance to understand the interdependent roles or everything that helps create the biome. Things from all the different biomes intertwine to create a sustainable environment for humans to live in. The freshwater biome in particular plays a very important part in keeping the surrounding flora, fauna and humans alive. Without freshwater no living organism could drink, without being hydrated nothing can survive. Plants also play a very important part in our society. Plants provide oxygen, without that animals and humans would die from lack of air to breathe. However humans play a big role in destroying the environment. Humans drain water ways and endanger animals. Humans do more harm then good to our environment, by the time we realise what we have done is wrong it is too late to fix anything. However this all adds up to create a balanced environment that is sustainable for life.
How can you come to understand how the balance of each biome affects our global ecosystem?
Each biome affects another, if one biome changes the rest will adapt to the changes made by the others. If the tundra (ice) biome melted, there would be more water consuming the Earth, therefore there would be more water taking over lands and more natural disasters. However if the freshwater biome dried up, there would be no water to drink or use for other things like showers. Additionally if the rainforest biomes were cut down there wouldn't be as much oxygen produced and therefore other biomes containing plants would become protected, as humans cannot survive without oxygen. Each biome balances out another, if something changes in one biome the rest will try adapt to the changes to keep a steady balanced environment.