Question

Ecology is the study of the relationships between living organisms, including humans, and their physical environment; it seeks to understand the vital connections between plants and animals and the world around them. Ecology also provides information about the benefits of ecosystems and how we can use Earth’s resources in ways that leave the environment healthy for future generations.(Ecological Society of America Website)

Q1. Recent fires have devastated large parts of California. What are some ecological interactions that may have contributed to increased effects of wildfires? What are some potential ways the number of wildfires or the effects of wildfires could be decreased?

Q2. For each of two different ecosystems describe a way in which the physical environment has affected what species live there, and an interaction between species that is important in that ecosystem.

Answer 1

Ans 1) The increased effect of the wildfires have a lot of ecological interactions as it can affect the soil through the heating process and the damage depends on the soil temperature caused by the combustion process. There are a number of change in nutrition that the wild fire can cause which are oxidation, erosion, leaching, volatilization etc. and hence leads to losing of a significant amount of nutrition. Due to the fire, there is an increase in the pH also that is noticed and this is due to increased formation of calcium carbonate and high decomposition of calcium oxide. The wild fires also cause a lot of damage of plants and the animals around. However, due to the wildfire there are some plants which have evolved in such a manner that it is able to resist or cope up with the fire. There are some plants which are coated with flammable oil and this leads to causing of the wildfire.

The prevention method aims at reducing the risk of the fire and helps in managing the air quality. The prevention policies must completely eliminate the role plays by humans or their involvement in leading to wildfire. There are many sources like arson, accidental ignition, land clearing etc. The human carelessness is one of the major reasons of wildfire and must be prevented. It is recommended to avoid backyard burning and take care while camping.