Wildlife and the Ecosystem-species contribution to nature

An Ecosystem which is short for ‘Ecological System’ refers to a community of living organisms that constitute animals and plants that interact with each other for survival with a collaboration of other non-living organisms such as the sun, earth, soil, climate, atmosphere. It is a very important component for human beings as it assists our survival on earth. Different habitats in the world have different ecosystems each influenced by the climate of the region and serving the living organisms found in the area.

There is a great correlation between wildlife and the ecosystem. Though human beings ignore or don’t see any direct benefits from wildlife, they do influence the environment in which we live. It is interesting to note that human beings have greatly evolved to the point of thinking the only important thing is having money, big living space and other many humans created objects. They tend to forget that the actual need to sustain their life on earth is good health coupled with the provision of clean air which is needed to breathe in (oxygen), great climate with sunlight providing most of the needed energy and naturally processed food (produced by the living organisms).

tropical ecosystem

There is a need for a balance in the Ecosystem for all species to survive and live in harmony with mother nature. However, there are human activities that have caused the destruction of some parts of the ecosystem which include deforestation, clearing of land for infrastructure and killing of some wildlife species for pleasure. This interference has caused some major climate change which has been felt worldwide hence there is a need for some education on how the ecosystem functions.

Categories of Living Organisms in the food chain

Different living organisms survive in different ecosystems with some found in very delicate habitats like the north and south pole, while others can survive in a wide range of habitat all over the world. We have species that mutually depend on each other while some solely depend on the existence of other species. There are those that make use of what is leftover or excreted by other organisms to survive.

These living organisms can be classified in different ways depending on their role in the ecosystem. They can be classified as:

Producers:

These are living organism that makes their own food. They make use of non-living organism like the sun, water, air to process their own food. Plants fall in this category as they use energy through a process referred to as photosynthesis to produce their own food. In aquatic life, we have algae that use solar energy to produce food for the microscopic animals in the water.

Consumers:

They are species that cannot make their own food but must find food to eat to get energy. They are divided into two categories;

Primary consumers which include animals that feed on the plants directly also referred to as the herbivores. They fall second in the food chain after the producers.

Secondary consumers include carnivores who feed on the primary consumers and omnivores who feed on both plants and animals. Human does fall on this category as well as most predators in the wild.

Decomposers:

These type of species fall last in the food chain. Their work is to break down decomposing organisms that have been consumed above them in the food chain. Some species that fall in this category include invertebrates such as beetles, ants which find their nutrients on dung produced by most herbivores. The vultures also fall in the category as they feed on all component of a decomposing animal. These decomposers are known to break down the already dead tissues and waste products which are converted into organisms used by the producers to start the food chain again.


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Different species relations in the Ecosystems

Apart from categorizing living organisms, these species have different roles to play in the ecosystem. In some cases’ existence of one species in an area guarantees the survival of other species though they may not be physically aware of these. Example, small reptiles and amphibians are known to thrive well in an area where elephants are. See more on these Here.

Type of relationships where species depend on the other can be classified into:

Mutualism: This is a relationship between species which is beneficial to both parties. For example, the bees feeding on pollen and causing pollination among plants. Fruit-eating birds and animals help in seed dispersal and spread of plants species.

Commensalism: This is a relationship where one species benefit but the other is not hurt. For example, the cattle egret always follows big herbs in order to catch insects disturbed by the large grazers. Some forest antelopes like the suni that follow monkeys from underneath the trees to benefit from fruits that they drop.

Parasitism: This refers to the parasite species that depend on other species and end up harming the dependent. An example includes mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, lice etc.

Mosquito - Ecosystem Parasite

Five species serve the Ecosystem but are rarely recognized.

Bees

Bees are kept for commercial purposes by farmers worldwide, on the other hand, a beehive found near a household is considered dangerous and experts are always called to eliminate it. However, bees play a very important role in the ecosystem that is beneficial to all. They are known as the single most important pollinators in the world, most of the plants we feed on depending on pollination to produce, hence if it were not for the bees we would have less food to consume other than their sweet honey.

Bees - Ecosystem pollinators

Ants

Ants aids in decomposition by breaking down the soil, aerate and recycle nutrients which ensures the soil remains healthy for plant growth. This, in turn, leads to a reduction in the need for fertilizers and irrigation activities. They are also very good seed dispersers carrying the nutrient-rich seeds to their nests, the ants consume the outer part of the seeds and live the rest to germinate. Some ants also feed on fleas, fly and bedbug eggs and larvae controlling the population of these parasites.

Ants and the Ecosystem

Bats

Bats are portrayed as creepy and frightening creatures in Hollywood movies as well as lots of superficial beliefs in the African culture. On the contrary, they play a vital role in the ecosystem. 70% of bats species feed on insects hence are beneficial to farmers as they feed on pest insects saving the farmer from investing in pesticides. They also help in the control of mosquitoes as it is one of their delicacies.

Fruit-eating bats help in seed dispersal and can travel for long distances excreting the seeds to germinate in different habitats. They are known as keynote species in restoring forests in tropical and desert ecosystems. Nectar-eating birds also assist bees in pollination.

Wildlife and the Ecosystem

Birds

Birds play so many roles in the ecosystem. We have the ground birds that help aerate the soil through their claws and beak while assisting in decomposition. The insects eating birds help in the control of pests and keeping the ecosystem balance while the fruit-eating birds assist in seed dispersal. Birds also help environmentalist assess ecosystem health.

Birds and The Ecosystem

Dogs

Dogs are known as a man’s best friend and one of the easiest trainable pet to keep. They are good at handling other animals hence are now being introduced to conservation. Dogs are also known to have a very good sense of smell and can easily pick out plants and animals hence we have the special K9 unit that is used to pick out drugs, weapons and bombs. They are now being used to pick out poachers and poaching devices in a good deal of wildlife game reserves in Africa and airports. Learn more Here.


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6 Responses

  1. Stratos K says:

    A very nicely written article about our ecosystem. You explain everything with simple writing making it easy to read and understand. When you see the whole picture it’s amazing how many factors contribute in order to have a much needed balanced environment. Take one of these out and the whole thing will break down. It shows how fragile our world is but we don’t pay any attention…until it will be very late.

    • Anita says:

      Yes, Stratos we need to stop being ignorant or too busy in our everyday work and access the environment we live in so as to check whether it is viable to sustain us in future or we need to do more.

  2. Cathy Cavarzan says:

    Learning something new everyday. Never actually realized just how bees and ants are involved in our eco system everyday. Informative.We have one of the most complex yet beautiful eco systems of all the planets let us hope we can continue to maintain it for hundreds of years to come. How exactly are birds helping environmentalist to asses the ecosystem health? You mention it but no details,where can I get more info on this?

    • Anita says:

      Yes Cathy, bees are feared by most but serve a very important part in our lives as they are the major pollinators hence keep a healthy ecosystem. Birds are migrators and always choose places that have have enough food to survive, they also access the weather and will move to an area with good weather are keen on where to breed and raise their young ones

  3. afolabi anumicheal says:

    Thanks for writing this article on wildlife and the ecosystem,i must commend you for a job well done for taking your time to do your findings and research before writing this article,i really find this article informative and educative.Healthy ecosystems clean our water, purify our air, maintain our soil, regulate the climate, recycle nutrients and provide us with food. They provide raw materials and resources for medicines and other purposes.humanbeings depends on this spices to survive,i always feel sorry for the next generation with the way we takecare of this ecosystem.most times politicise this issue 

    • Anita says:

      I appreciate the fact that you understand why we need to preserve our ecology as it is for our own benefit and that of the generations to come. As humans, we need all other living things to survive.

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