Savannas and Forrests in a Battle of the Biomes
Picture:
This picture shows a wildfire that was happening in South Africa. These fires help maintain the balance between the forest biome and the savanna biome. Some say that these fires are caused by humans interfering with the patterns of the fires. If these fires continue like this there will only be savanna and will leave big patches of encroachment.
Summary:
These fires are supposed to be a natural thing to help prevent an uneven balance of forest and savanna. The fires are supposed to make sure that no so much forest grows over the savanna. Lately, scientists have been studying these biomes and have saw a huge increase on the number of fires, and because of this increase more forests are turning into savannas. Some scientists say that this is because of road construction, climate change, and fire-prevention measures. Researchers say that if these fires continue to spread like this that these biomes will turn into nothing but total encroachment. Once this process starts it will be hard to change it. Plants and animals that are living in a forest or savanna cannot adapt well from one habitat to the other. The Science Paper say that the loss of a savanna to forest is just as tragic, though other known as deforestation. There is a big risk of losing valuable plants and animals which would effect the people who depend on them.
Opinion/Reflection:
It was very sad reading about the way that the littlest things that you wouldn't even really notice makes the biggest effects on this earth. And I have a great love for animals; to hear that they might die because they are any good at adapting to a new environment really breaks my heart. But seeing scientist so eager to change what is going on motivates me into trying to do my best to prevent disasters like this happening in the U.S.
Questions:
1. What made scientist take a look at this issue now?
2. Do you think that this could be an issue in the U.S?
3. Why wouldn't the animals be able to adapt to a new environment?
4. What are some ways I can prevent a disaster like this from happening in my area?
I agree with assontae--this article is really sad, especially because it seems as if there's no way to prevent the loss of life in the area. It would probably be too much work to try and put out all the fires. The only possible suggestion would be to extremely lower human activity, but that would be very difficult to persue and may not even work. I also love animals and would hate to think that all those creatures may die out in a wildfire.
ReplyDeleteAnswering assontae's question 3: The animals in that biome cannot adapt to the other because the envoronment is too different for the species to survive from. The savannah has very little or no life--plants or animals--to eat or take shade from the heat, so those animals in the forest biome have very little chance of survival.
Questions:
1. What human activity has caused these wildfires?
2. What would affect the humans after the forest biome was lost to the savannah?
3. How can we prevent similar situations from happening in the US?
I agree with Assontae that it is truly sad. I think it is great that scientists are trying their best to put an end to this or maybe see what they can do to lower the amount of fires. I really find it sad that some of the life that is living there can't really do anything about it and they just kind of lay there and watch it all happen. That is the part saddens me the most!
ReplyDeleteI think the answer to Assontae's question number 2 is potentially, yes. Over this past summer there were an abundance of wildfires in Texas so i think that is kind of like the same thing just not as severe. This could probably happen in many areas outside of the United States and places in Africa.
This is certainly a tregedy and i indeed do agree with Assontae. Whenever I hear such news I realize that as I'm well protect by all the comforts I have and my only worry is the academics and there is animals out there that are suffering because of human action. I also remember how savanna could potentially change to deserts and I worry that loss of these trees could lead to expansion of the deserts. I love animals and I think we should at least do something to help the animals.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2:Actually, once in America, there was a great fire in the Yellow Stone Park and scientists assumed that a cigarette may have started the fire. It had been a dry season in the area too, therefore the forest fire spread like it was lit with a match stick and there was a lot of property damage. Fire fighters had hard time putting out the fire and it was not raining even though the sky was cloudy. The fire was eventually put out but it was a damage to the great park and now they regularly burn the undergrowth so such disaster won't happen again. Related Article (http://www.nps.gov/yell/naturescience/wildlandfire.htm).
Questions
1)What is the ratio for the natural balance between the forest and the savanna?
2)What species would be potentially be lost to this deforestation?
3)Is there any possible benefit gained from this disaster?
I also agree with Assontae knowing that we could of stoped this issue earlier really upsets me. We already have so much deforestation and with this adding to it there doesn't seem like there will be a positive ending. Knowing that the scientists found data and knowing what caused the issue is definatly a start. Hopefully they can find a way to reduce the wildfires.I also belive that people know how serious this is and will try to prevent it from happing to other places.
ReplyDeleteHere is an informational paragraph that I found on wildfires.
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v359/n6398/abs/359812a0.html
1.) If they find a way to reverse the effects do you think people will be willing to help?
2.)Do you think people will want to move any species from this area to try to save them?
3.)Do you think other places in the world are taking the mistakes of this situation into consideration and trying to prevent it from happing to them?