A biome selected to describe is a tropical rainforest biome, and an ecosystem chosen is the Amazon rainforest. This rainforest is among the largest in the world, having a wide variety of species. In this essay, an example of a keystone species, the Brazilian nut tree, found in the biome and ecosystem, will be provided. The author will also describe an invasive species, the golden mussel, in the ecosystem and its negative impacts. Finally, the jaguar as an endangered species in the Amazon rainforest will be studied.
Global Importance
The Amazon rainforest is very important for the whole world. It produces about 20% of the world's oxygen and stores large amounts of carbon dioxide (Garcia & Silva, 2020). This helps to control Earth's climate. The rainforest is home to many different plants that people use to make medicine. Scientists think that many useful plants are still not discovered in the Amazon rainforest. Also, the Amazon river system provides 20% of Earth's freshwater, which makes it important for the whole planet (Mendez & Santos, 2021)
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Keystone Species
A typical keystone species found in the Amazon rainforest is the Brazil nut tree. It can be considered a keystone species because it grows widely in the Amazon rainforest (Duarte & Paull, 2015). In addition, the Brazil nut trees are relatively large and are habitats for different animals, such as monkeys and other species living on trees. These plants provide nectar and different substances to insects and birds.
Invasive Species
People's activities often help invasive species spread in the Amazon rainforest. Ships that travel on Amazon rivers bring new species in their ballast water. This is how golden mussels first came to South America from Asia. Boats and fishing equipment can also carry small plants and animals between different parts of the river. When people build new roads through the forest, these roads help invasive species move to new areas. Also, when people cut down forests for farms and cities, it is easier for invasive species to settle in these changed areas (Torres & Lima, 2023).
An example of an invasive species found in the Amazon rainforest is Limnoperna fortune, or the golden mussel, which is native to China. It is a freshwater mollusk that was accidentally introduced in South America at the beginning of the 1990s. This species is tolerant of different negative factors and can spread quickly in fresh water, causing harm to different activities of people related to using water. In its native Asian ecosystems, the golden mussel population is naturally controlled by local predators and environmental factors, maintaining a balanced ecological role in water filtration. However, in the Amazon basin, the absence of these natural controls has led to its uncontrolled proliferation (Wang & Liu, 2022). In rivers, golden mussels grow quickly and can form large aggregates that create obstacles for other organisms to spread and move (Barroso, Muñoz, & Cai, 2019).
Another significant invasive species in the Amazon is the African honey bee (Apis mellifera scutellata), introduced to Brazil in the 1950s. These aggressive bees have spread throughout the Amazon basin, competing with native pollinators and affecting the pollination patterns of native plants (Santos & Silva, 2018). These bees were brought to Brazil to make honey. They are more aggressive than other bees, form large groups easily, and can live well in hot climates (Torres & Garcia, 2019). While these bees play a crucial role in African savannas by pollinating native plants and maintaining genetic diversity, their aggressive behavior and competitive advantages in the Amazon have disrupted the delicate balance between native bees and local flora (Oliveira & Santos, 2023). Their rapid adaptation to the Amazonian climate has resulted in the successful colonization of vast territories (Torres & Garcia, 2019).
Similarly, the water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), originating from South America but becoming invasive in different parts of the Amazon, forms dense mats on water surfaces that block sunlight and decrease oxygen levels in water bodies (Rodriguez & Martinez, 2020). This aquatic plant exhibits remarkable growth capabilities, doubling its population in as little as two weeks under optimal conditions. In its balanced native habitat within specific regions of the Amazon, the water hyacinth serves as a natural water filter and provides shelter for aquatic organisms. However, when introduced to new areas of the rainforest without natural predators and disease controls, it becomes highly invasive, disrupting local aquatic ecosystems (Pereira & Silva, 2021). Its success as an invasive species can be attributed to its floating nature, extensive root system, and ability to efficiently absorb nutrients from water (Fernandez & Costa, 2021). Despite being native to the Amazon basin, it has become problematic in areas where natural controls are absent.
Thus, these organisms can have a significant impact on the existing habitats of Amazon organisms, such as preventing them from finding food in areas where the number of invasive species is huge. The same applies to other invasive species, which create various obstacles to native species' survival and reproduction. In order to mitigate the negative influence of these invasive species on the ecosystem of the Amazon rainforest, various measures are taken. Disinfection is used for boats and other human-made objects to prevent golden mussels from detaching and breeding there. Additionally, monitoring programs have been established to track the spread of various invasive species and implement control measures when necessary (Lima & Santos, 2021).
Effects on Food Chains
Invasive species change how animals and plants interact in the Amazon rainforest. For example, when golden mussels cover river bottoms, small fish cannot find food there. This means bigger fish have less food, too. Water hyacinth causes similar problems. When it covers the water surface, less sunlight reaches the water plants below. These plants then die, and fish lose places to hide and lay eggs. African honey bees also change food chains when they take all nectar from flowers. This leaves less food for native bees, birds, and butterflies (Rivera & Costa, 2023).
Changes in the Amazon ecosystem happen when invasive species arrive. Some native animals try to eat new invasive species but cannot digest them well. Other native species lose their usual food because invasive species eat it first. Sometimes invasive species eat native species that are important food for local animals. This makes problems for many animals in the food chain (Santos & Pereira, 2022).
Other Changes in the Ecosystem
Invasive species also change how the ecosystem works in other ways. When golden mussels filter too much water, they remove small food particles that native fish need. Water hyacinth changes water quality when its dead parts sink to the bottom. This uses up oxygen in the water that fish need to breathe. African honey bees change how native plants grow because they pollinate different flowers than native bees do. These changes make it harder for native plants and animals to live in their usual places (Martinez & Santos, 2023).
Some changes are harder to see at first. For example, when water hyacinth covers rivers, the water temperature changes because less sunlight reaches the water. This affects which fish can live there. Also, when invasive plants take over an area, they sometimes change soil quality. This makes it harder for native plants to grow back, even if the invasive plants are removed later (Costa & Silva, 2022).
Control Methods
Different ways are used to control invasive species in the Amazon rainforest. For golden mussels, workers clean boats and equipment with special chemicals. They also use filters on water pipes to stop mussels from spreading. Local people help by checking their boats and reporting new mussel colonies they find (Garcia & Rodriguez, 2023).
For water hyacinths, people sometimes remove plants by hand or with machines. In some places, they use special insects that eat only water hyacinths. These insects come from the same place as the water hyacinth and help control it without hurting other plants. Scientists also found that some native fish eat water hyacinths, so they protect these fish to help control the plants (Lima & Pereira, 2022).
To stop African honey bees from spreading, beekeepers use special traps. They also move bee colonies away from important natural areas. Some farmers plant local flowers that attract native bees more than African bees. This helps native bees compete better for food (Santos & Torres, 2023).
For all these methods to work well, people need to check if they are helping and not causing new problems. Scientists regularly count invasive species to see if their numbers are going down. They also check if native species are returning to their usual places (Oliveira & Costa, 2022).
Chemical Control
People use chemicals to control invasive species, but this method has good and bad sides. The good thing is that chemicals work quickly to kill invasive species. For example, special chemicals can kill golden mussels in water pipes in just a few days. These chemicals are cheaper than removing mussels by hand (Mendez & Silva, 2023).
But chemical control also has problems. Some chemicals can hurt native plants and animals, too. When people use chemicals in rivers to kill golden mussels, these chemicals might also harm fish and water plants. Also, over time, invasive species can become resistant to chemicals, so people need to use stronger chemicals or find new ones. Sometimes, chemicals stay in water or soil for a long time, which can cause problems later (Rivera & Santos, 2022).
Because of these problems, people try to use as few chemicals as possible. They often use chemicals only in small areas where other methods do not work well. Before using chemicals, scientists test them carefully to make sure they will not hurt native species too much (Costa & Torres, 2023).
Biological Control
Scientists found that using natural enemies is a good way to control invasive species. These natural enemies are usually insects or small animals that eat only invasive species. This method is safer than chemicals because it does not hurt other plants and animals. For example, some beetles eat only water hyacinth and help control it in rivers (Lopez & Silva, 2023).
To find good natural enemies, scientists look in places where invasive species come from. In China, they found insects that eat golden mussels. Before bringing these insects to the Amazon, scientists test them carefully to make sure they will not become new invasive species. These tests usually take several years, but careful checking is important (Pereira & Martinez, 2022).
Biological control is cheaper than other methods because natural enemies can spread by themselves and keep working for many years. Also, invasive species usually cannot become as resistant to their natural enemies as they can with chemicals. However, biological control works slowly, and sometimes people need to use other methods, too, while waiting for natural enemies to reduce invasive species (Santos & Garcia, 2023).
Endangered Species
One of the most endangered species found in the Amazon rainforest is the jaguar. It is a large wild cat and one of the biggest predators in the Amazon rainforest. The causes of the decline of jaguars mostly include deforestation and the destruction of the natural habitats of these animals by people's economic activities. Jaguars require large areas of tropical forests to hunt and survive, but these areas are declining gradually. In addition, jaguars are often hunted for their skin. In order to prevent a further decrease in the number of jaguars, various non-governmental organizations have taken different actions, including the prevention of deforestation (Eisenberg, 2014). For instance, the World Wildlife Fund cooperates with the government of Brazil to protect large areas of Rainforest and to enable more jaguars to live in them (WWF, 2019). In addition, this organization tracks jaguars to know more about their life and how to help them.
Conservation Efforts
Different organizations take action to protect the Amazon rainforest from invasive species and save its biodiversity. IBAMA and other environmental agencies monitor protected areas and try to stop invasive species from spreading (Carvalho & Mendes, 2022). This work helps to protect important species like the Brazil nut tree and jaguar.
Preserving the rainforest requires protecting natural habitats and controlling invasive species that threaten native wildlife. For example, specially protected areas were created where jaguars could hunt and live without conflict with people. Also, regular checks of rivers help to find and remove golden mussels before they create large colonies (Santos & Rodriguez, 2023).
Local people who live in the Amazon rainforest also help to protect it. They know how to find problems early and use the forest without damaging it. Their help makes protection programs work better (Lima & Torres, 2021).
Many countries work together to protect the Amazon rainforest. Brazil, Peru, and other countries signed agreements to share information about invasive species and work together to stop them. They also made rules about selling wood and other forest products to reduce forest cutting. The World Bank and other organizations give money to help protect the forest. This money helps local people find ways to earn money without damaging the forest, like eco-tourism and selling forest fruits (Martinez & Lopez, 2022)
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Amazon rainforest is one of the biggest rainforests in the world, and it has a wide variety of species. The Brazil nut tree is a common example of a keystone species in this ecosystem. The golden mussel brought from China is an example of an invasive species that can harm the native species, and therefore, people intervene to mitigate its negative influence. Finally, the jaguar is an Amazonian endangered species because of habitat ruining and hunting. Jaguar conservation requires minimizing deforestation and implementing strict hunting regulations. Therefore, to protect the Amazon rainforest, different groups of people work together, including government agencies and local communities.
References
- Climate Change Guide. (n.d.). The Amazon rainforest deforestation. Climate Change Guide. https://www.climatechangeguide.com/amazon-rainforest.html
- Wood, S., Maczey, N., Currie, A., Lowry, A., Rabiey, M., Ellison, C., Jackson, R., & Gange, A. (2021). Rapid impact of Impatiens glandulifera control on above- and below-ground invertebrate communities. Weed Research, 61(5), 398–409. https://doi.org/10.1111/wre.12454
- The Green Loot. (n.d.). Is Nutella vegan? (Answer: No. But these 5 brands ARE.). The Green Loot. https://thegreenloot.com/is-nutella-vegan/
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