Biome
A biome is a huge geographic area that is characterized by the types of vegetation, climate, and animals. Biomes are defined on the base of temperature and precipitation. Each biome has its unique characteristics.
For example, the tundra biome is characterized by high cold temperatures and tropical rainforests are characterized by high temperatures and also with rainfall so it is home to a wide range of species of monkeys, toucans, and jaguars. Biomes are important as they provide a home to many species and also regulate climate and hydrological cycles. In the same way, biomes also provide humans with food, water, and timber.
Types of Biomes:
There are many types of biomes on our
planet Earth each consisting of its own unique characteristics. Here are some
most common types of biomes:
Tundra Temperate
coniferous forest
Desert Temperate
deciduous forest
Grassland Mediterranean forest, woodlands.
Savanna Temperate broadleaf
Freshwater Temperate rainforest
Forest Freshwater
biome
Rainforest Tropical rainforest
Chaparral Temperate climate
Taiga Aquatic
biome
Marine Alpine tundra
Estuary Shrubland
Prairie Arctic
Marine Estuary
Biodiversity
and Biome:
Biomes can have high levels of biodiversity. In which a huge array of wild species reformed to specific environmental conditions. For example, tropical rainforests have incredible biodiversity, including a wide range of species of plants and animals. In the same way, biomes with extreme cold such as tundra, and biomes with extremely high temperatures such as deserts include low levels of biodiversity but many species can survive in these harsh conditions of their environment.
Biodiversity in biomes is significant because of its many benefits. As it offers ecosystem services which include pollination and nutrient cycling all these are critical to balancing the productivity and health of the biome. Biodiversity in the biome also leads to the ecosystem's suppleness, making them better able to cope with environmental changes and disturbances, including climate change. But unfortunately, many biomes of our planet Earth are losing biodiversity because of many human activities, including deforestation, habitat destruction, pollution, and mainly climate change.
Human impacts on biomes:
Human activities have a significant role
in the equilibrium of the biome. Some of the major impacts of humans on biomes are:
Deforestation:
The clearing of forests hurts biomes. Humans cut down trees for agriculture and
urbanization which results in the loss of habitats for many animal species and
plant species. Cutting trees leads to climate change by reducing the amount of
carbon that is stored in trees.
Climate change and biome: Humans have countless undesirable impacts on climate. Human doings such as the burning of fossil fuels upsurge the atmospheric temperature by increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases in our environment.
The increase in the temperature of our planet Earth leads to the melting of glaciers which results in the escalation of sea level and the elimination of many animals and plant species. So all these changes are those that hurt the biome.
Land use change: Humans
have also reformed biomes through changes in land use. As humans converted the
grasslands to croplands and destroy the natural habitats of wild animals and
birds. Conversion of these natural habitats for agriculture leads to erosion and soil degradation. For our benefit, we are destroying the biome.
Urbanization: Urbanization
is the conversion of grasslands and natural habitats into cities. It results in
the disturbance of the ecosystem and also results in the extinction of many wild
species. So urbanization also leads to disturbance in the biome.
Pollution: Pollution has had a great impact on
our biome all over the world. Pollution affects the terrestrial ecosystem as
well as the aquatic ecosystem.
Air pollution results in climate change. Air pollution also has a bad impact on the health of plants as well as animals. Air pollution causes acid rain which is produced by sulfur and nitrogen entered into the air by human activities. Acid rain destroys forest ecosystems and acid rain also destroys crops by increasing the acidity of the soil.
Water pollution hurts aquatic ecosystems. Water
pollution makes water unsafe for fish and other aquatic organisms and also
makes water harmful for human use. Pesticides that are present in polluted
water can also alter the food chain which causes health risks.
Soil pollution has a major impact on plants. As pollutants that are
present in soil are harmful to plant growth.
Noise pollution disrupts the nesting, mating, and feeding of wildlife and it is the major impact on wildlife. Noise pollution also causes stress-related disorders in humans and it can also result in hearing loss.
Conservation of Biomes: Conservation of biomes is important. And here are some main points for the conservation of biomes.
Protection of natural habitats: Conservation of biomes includes the protection of natural habitats of wildlife that are destroyed due to human activities such as urbanization and deforestation.
Biodiversity Conservation: A wide range of species of
plants, animals, and birds live in biomes. So we can say that biomes are home to a wide range of wild species. And conservation determinations purpose
to protect the biodiversity of these ecosystems.
Creation of Protected Areas: Wildlife sanctuaries
and other National parks are created for the conservation and protection of
biomes and their ecosystems.
Sustainable Practices: The promotion of sustainable
practices also involves the conservation of biomes. This promotion of sustainable
practices is in industries of agriculture and fishing and it means to minimize the
impact of human activities on biomes.
Education and Awareness: Educating the people about the importance and need to protect natural habitats and biodiversity may be the most effective effort for the conservation of biomes.
Restoration of biomes: Restoration of biomes includes:
Ecosystem Rehabilitation: Restoration efforts
aim to rehabilitate degraded ecosystems. It includes wetlands, forests, and other
habitats of wildlife.
Reintroduction of Native Species: Restoration of biomes also includes reintroducing the native species of plants and animals which are under threat due to human activities.
Soil and Water Conservation: Promoting soil and water
conservation also involves the restoration of biomes. It may help to reduce both
water and soil pollution and also improves the health of our biomes.
Research and Monitoring: Effective and good restoration
needs ongoing research and also involves monitoring for the goodness of
restoration techniques and adjusting strategies as needed.
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