Biomes&Ecosystems - Grade: B PDF

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Essay on the arctic biome....

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Biome and Ecosystem Paper

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Biomes and Ecosystems: Aquatic Biome-Atlantic Ocean Paris Smith Grand Canyon University: BIO-220 10/4/20

Biome and Ecosystem Paper

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The biome and ecosystem selected are aquatic and Atlantic Ocean respectively. An example of a keystone species found in the ecosystem could be the Atlantic Herring. The invasive species chosen for example is the Lionfish. An example of an endangered species found in the Atlantic Ocean could be the Narwhal. The keystone species selected was Atlantic Herring. Keystone species are “species that have a disproportionately large effect on the communities in which it occurs” (Thompson 2020). Atlantic Herring supply the vast majority of the Atlantic Oceans predators and are rich of energy as well as large in number. To further explain both sides of the key-‘stone’, “keystone species help maintain local biodiversity within a community by controlling how populations of other species that would otherwise dominate the community or by providing critical resources for a wide range of species”(Thompson 2020). The term keystone was derived by an American zoologist by the name of Robert T. Paine in 1969 from the idea of using specially designed stones for support. Keystone species such as the Atlantic Herring are strong parts of the Atlantic Ocean ecosystem and adds necessary stability. The invasive species selected was the Lionfish. The negative impacts Lionfish have on the Atlantic Ocean ecosystem is shifting the balance of the food chain by eating other fish and not having anyone to eat it. Preying on the species that snappers, and groupers rely on clearly shows an imbalance. A study done by the Department of Zoology from Oregon State shows that a single lionfish residing on the coral reef can reduce recruitment of native reef fish by 79 percent(Fisheries 2020). A group of the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force created the National Invasive Lionfish Prevention and Management Plan back in May of 2014. The NILPMP was made to be looked at as a guide to those who wanted to manage the growth and

Biome and Ecosystem Paper

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potential relocation of lionfish. In the plan they have a set of goals described as :prevent spread of invasive lionfish, coordinated early detection and rapid response, control and management of invasive lionfish and assess impact of lion fish invasion. NILPMP is just one of few groups looking to fight the negative effects of the invasive Lionfish species. People all over the world are supporting the fight and journey to a more balanced Ecosystem

The endangered species selected was the Narwhal. Narwhals grow to about 4 meters in length and 1.6 kilograms in weight with the females being the larger of the sexes on average. Narwhals are endangered for mainly three reasons, rapid climate change, overhunting and noise pollution. The rapid climate change effects the heavy ice packs they reside in, sometimes freezing shut and restricting them of oxygen and a way to get out trapping them under water. Illegal hunting is also a big factor for decline of the species. It is popular for them to be hunted by fisherman to have their tusk removed and sold for large sums of money. There have been bans placed on hunting Narwhals and there are also several attempts to lesson our carbon footprint and the repair as much as possible from Climate Change.

Biome and Ecosystem Paper References

Fisheries, N. (2020, March 30). Impacts of Invasive Lionfish. Retrieved October 05, 2020, from https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/southeast/ecosystems/impacts-invasive-lionfish Stephanie. (2017, July 27). 15 Endangered Species in Atlantic Ocean. Retrieved October 04, 2020, from https://deepoceanfacts.com/endangered-species-in-atlantic-ocean Lionfish: An Invasive Species. (2018, June 29). Retrieved October 04, 2020, from https://www.flseagrant.org/healthycoasts/lionfish-invasive-species/ Invasive Species Monitor. (n.d.). Retrieved October 04, 2020, from https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/science/sentinel-site-program/monitor/invasive-species.html Thompson, J. (2020, April 17). Keystone species. Retrieved October 04, 2020, from https://www.britannica.com/science/keystone-species Atlantic Herring - A Keystone Species in the Northwest Atlantic. (n.d.). Retrieved October 04, 2020, from https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/factsheets/2010/05/24/atlantic-herring-a-keystone-species-in-the-northwest-atlantic

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