Effects of Human Intervention on Ecosystems

Topic: Many scientists consider humans as the most invasive species, as humans can greatly change an environment and impact living things that reside there. Are we being stewards of the world? Take a look at an issue in which human intervention has positively or negatively affected the biodiversity of our ecosystems.

Biodiversity, the "diversity among and within plant and animal species in an environment" is vital to our existence. It is what keeps the world going and what helps maintain a healthy ecosystem all around. One of its main advantages is that it makes organisms less vulnerable to disruptions in the environment, thus helping species to survive through harsh conditions. It is because of biodiversity that we and many other plants and creatures still exist in this planet today. As the official "caregivers" of this planet, we have a huge responsibility to protect and maintain ecological balance in the environment.

As the human population continues to grow ever larger, so does our need for food, material goods, natural resources and space. Now, more than ever, we are in danger of losing biodiversity in our ecosystems. I say "we are in danger" because everything on this planet is interdependent and interconnected. Meaning, if different species of animals and plants are wiped out, we not only lose our sources of food, medicine, clothing, etc., but we're also losing an essential member of the food chain which in turn, causes sudden rise in other animal populations (for example, more flies and mosquitoes because some species of frogs are endangered).

Let's take a look at one area of concern inside the comfort of our own homes, and more precisely, inside our own refrigerators... Do you see that can of leftover tuna? Well, did you know that some species of tuna -- like the Bluefin Tuna -- is part of the endangered list of species? I bet, like me, you would never have thought that something as common as tuna-- something we see everyday in our sandwiches and in our sushi would ever be in danger of going extinct. But it is happening as we speak.

Overfishing and illegal fishing, primarily around regions such as Japan, North Carolina, Gulf of Mexico and in areas around Northern Europe are the main causes of the depleting population of the Bluefin tuna. This fish is already commercially extinct around Scandinavia and in waters off Brazil-- and the population around Japan looks like its headed the same way. This species of fish are caught so quickly that they are given no time to reproduce or have offspring."The Bluefin tuna is really the poster child of overfishing.", says Mike Sutton, director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium's conservation program: the Center for the Future of the Oceans.

Humans are notorious for destroying habitats and annihilating species of animals. But our invasive "skills" can also be put to good use. Just by including it on the endangered species list, we are acknowledging our fault in risking this population of fish...but it is not enough. Some scientists say that to help keep this species thriving in our waters, we might have to completely restrict all catches of this fish. People are being discouraged from eating bluefin tuna and some supermarkets are even boycotting it.

I'm not asking people to stop eating in Japanese restaurants or stop bringing tuna sandwiches for lunch. All I ask is that, maybe, we cut down on the fish and that we all try to be a little more mindful of how our small actions are affecting the bigger picture. By doing so, maybe we can avoid losing another delicious valuable member of our vast ecosystem.

Sources:

• http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/biodiversity
• http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/25/business/25tuna.html
• http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE53D00320090414
• http://www.bigmarinefish.com/bluefin.html
• http://news.mongabay.com/2007/0806-tuna.html
• http://www.earthportals.com/greed.html
• http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/sep/09/europe-bluefin-tuna-campaign
• http://search.worldwildlife.org/2query.html?qt=bluefin+tuna&doSubmit.x=0&doSubmit.y=0