Ecosystem components

Natural ecosystem in a Park and number) submitted) Introduction The parks do usually have ecosystems that contain diverse wildlife communities and plants. These communities are usually in constant interaction and derive a lot of benefits from each other so that they can successfully survive. This paper discusses the major structural and functional dynamics of a natural ecosystem that is likely to exist in a park. Of interest is the change that is experienced by the ecosystem over time. The effects brought about by human interaction with the park are also discussed here including how the human activities impact on the phosphorus, nitrogen and carbon cycle. A discussion on how the knowledge of the structure and how these can help to develop plans for its restoration. The implication of the interaction of the species will also be briefly discussed.
The structural and functional dynamics
Within a community that exists in a park, many populations are not likely to be found as being evenly distributed. There exists a patterns and process of spatial distribution of species. The most important patterns are the open community structure which is distributed more or less randomly. There is also the closed community pattern with sharp boundaries. Each species within the ecosystem in a park play a very important role and interacts with other species in the environment. In the interactions the species provide food and, therefore, a basis on which other species survive. There are basically two main types of communities: terrestrial and the aquatic biomes. Terrestrial biomes include the tundra, desert, grassland, temperate forest, taiga, tropical forest (Agee, 2000). The ecosystem changes over time giving the stronger species the opportunity to survive over time and live to withstand the test of time. The weaker ones go to extinction over time.
Effects of Human Interaction with the park
Human interactions with the park may be positive or negative. Human’s efforts to preserve the parks have positive effects on the lives of the species in the ecosystem. However, sometimes the humans destroy the environment by cutting down trees and sometimes killing the animals for food. Besides, other economic activities of humans such as the production industries pollute the environment by emitting substances such as carbon, nitrogen or phosphorus thus interfering in their cycles.
Benefits of human knowledge on the ecosystem’s structure
The knowledge of humans on the structure and functions of the ecosystem has played a very fundamental role in ensuring that the parks are well preserved. As such this has helped to prevent several plants and animal species from going into extinction (Alcamo & Elena M. Bennett, 2003). This knowledge ought to be facilitated to further protect the parks against encroachment. This works well towards the management and restoration of the parks for the current generation and the generations to come.
Implication of the interaction of species in management and restoration
Again, the interactions of the ecosystems’ species in a park have implications that can facilitate the management and restoration of the park or even derail the restoration and management. If the interaction is such that there are less producers, the ecosystem becomes absolutely difficult to sustain and many species may die as they interact with the environment (Jiménez, Sesana, & Dromgold, 2006). As such, the human intervention is required to ensure that the interactions are healthy and ensure that the species in the ecosystem are preserved.
References
Agee, J. K. (2000). Ecosystem Management for Parks and Wilderness (Vol. 65). (J. K. Agee, &
D. R. Johnson, Eds.) Seattle: University of Washington Press.
Alcamo, J., & Elena M. Bennett. (2003). Ecosystems and Human Well-Being: A Framework for
Assessment. Washington, D. C.: Island Press.
Jiménez, B. V., Sesana, L., & Dromgold, M. (2006). Colombia Natural Parks. Mexico: Villegas
Asociados.