Ecology Notes 4 Section 1-4

Life in the Balance

1. Changes are constantly occuring in an ecosystem and each time this occurs, an adjustment in the balance is required. 2. Sometimes ecosystems are thrown completly out of balance by a natural disaster, such as a hurricane, landslide, forest fire, or volcanic eruption. 3. Forest fires are both good and bad for an ecosystem.  Naturally occuring forest fires may clear away dead wood, and shrubs creating room for new plant life to grow.  The seeds of the jack pine tree, require the temperature of a forest fire in order to be released from their protective pine cones. 4. The damaging effects of activities such as chopping down forests or putting poisonous chemicals into rivers are quite obvious.  Apparently harmless human actions may cause widespread damage.    Examples:  DEFORESTATION, ILLEGAL DUMPING (POLLUTION), AIR POLLUTION, PESTICIDES

1-3a Notes