Ecosystem decay: Difference between revisions
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''Ecosystem Decay'' is a term coined by [[Thomas Lovejoy]] to define the process of which [[species]] become extinct locally based on [[habitat fragmentation]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Warf|title=Encyclopedia of Geography|pages=856}}</ref> The process is ultimately what caused several species to go extinct, including the [[Irish Elk]]. The most dominant factor in this process is isolation and thus, [[inbreeding]] of animals which will lead to the local population's demise as small areas cannot support enough genes for inbreeding to not occur. |
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'''Ecosystem decay''' is a term coined by [[Thomas Lovejoy]] to define the process of which [[species]] become extinct locally based on [[habitat fragmentation]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Warf|title=Encyclopedia of Geography|pages=856}}</ref> This process is what led to the extinction of several species, including the Irish Elk. Ecosystem decay can be mainly attributed to population isolation, leading to [[inbreeding]], leading to a decrease in the population of local species. Another factor is the absence of competition, preventing the mechanisms of natural selection to benefit the population. This leads to a lack of a skill set for the animal to adjust and adapt to a new environment. Habitat fragmentation and loss lead to smaller habitat sizes, and ecosystem decay predicts ecological processes are changed so heavily in smaller habitats that the loss in diversity is more extreme than expected by fragmentation alone.<ref>{{Cite journal |doi=10.1038/s41586-020-2531-2|title=Ecosystem decay exacerbates biodiversity loss with habitat loss |year=2020 |last1=Chase |first1=Jonathan M. |last2=Blowes |first2=Shane A. |last3=Knight |first3=Tiffany M. |last4=Gerstner |first4=Katharina |last5=May |first5=Felix |journal=Nature |volume=584 |issue=7820 |pages=238–243 |pmid=32728213 |s2cid=256820724 }}</ref> |
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Although similar to [[forest fragmentation]] and [[Island Biogeography Theory|island biogeography]], ecosystem decay is what results in the event of forest fragmentation. |
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Ecosystem decay is caused by multiple factors, one of which is inbreeding. Another factor is the absence of rivals and neighbors from which they might learn. The resident populations will have had to adjust their diet and other fundamental factors in order to survive. |
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==Overview== |
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This principle is very similar to [[Forest fragmentation]] except for the fact that ecosystem decay is what results in the event of forest fragmentation. This may also follow the principles of [[Island Biogeography Theory|Island Biogeography]]. |
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Ecosystem decay is a natural phenomenon that has several resulting features.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Mokross|first1=Karl|last2=Ryder|first2=Thomas B.|last3=Côrtes|first3=Marina Corrêa|last4=Wolfe|first4=Jared D.|last5=Stouffer|first5=Philip C.|date=2014-02-07|title=Decay of interspecific avian flock networks along a disturbance gradient in Amazonia|journal=Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B: Biological Sciences|language=en|volume=281|issue=1776|pages=20132599|doi=10.1098/rspb.2013.2599|issn=0962-8452|pmc=3871315|pmid=24335983}}</ref> |
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* Decline of native populations of animals |
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* Decrease in genetic diversity |
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* Decrease of the interior:[[edge effect|edge]] ratio |
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* Isolation of an area of viable habitat |
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* Reduction in viable habitats and often extreme separation |
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==Process== |
==Process== |
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The process through which ecosystem decay occurs can be long and complicated or short and hasty. Overall, it still follows some basic guidelines. First, a piece of habitat is surrounded and thus isolated by farmland or cities. |
The process through which ecosystem decay occurs can be long and complicated or short and hasty. Overall, it still follows some basic guidelines. First, a piece of habitat is surrounded and thus isolated by farmland or cities. |
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Secondly, pollination of the plants immediately ceases and the number of species thins out. Thirdly, through generations of inbreeding and thus higher birth mortality than birth survival rate and infertile dirt, the forest fragment will slowly decline to nothing. |
Secondly, pollination of the plants immediately ceases and the number of species thins out. Thirdly, through generations of inbreeding and thus higher birth mortality than birth survival rate and infertile dirt, the forest fragment will slowly decline to nothing. |
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== Causes == |
== Causes == |
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| ⚫ | Ecosystem decay is commonly caused by the harvesting of rain forest in appliance to certain laws or illegally for profit by humans. Certain countries such as [[Brazil]] prohibit the harvesting of [[Brazil nut|Brazil nut trees]] and groves of this species causing forest fragmentation and thus causing ecosystem decay to occur. Cities, roads, farms and any other substantial barrier impeding and animals habitat can be a direct or an indirect cause. Naturally, fires and rising sea levels on low land can also cause habitat fragmentation and thus ecosystem decay. Although this process is much more lengthy, many species such as the [[Irish Elk]] and several species of ancient [[Australian megafauna|Australian Marsupials]] have been indirectly killed this way with contributions by [[Climate Change]], [[Glaciation]] and [[Forest fire|Forest Fires]]. |
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| ⚫ | Ecosystem decay is commonly caused |
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== Studies == |
== Studies == |
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| ⚫ | Eleonore Setz<ref>{{cite book|last1=Quammen|title=The Song Of The Dodo|publisher=Touchstone|isbn=0-684-80083-7|pages=76–80|year=1996}}</ref> was studying a patch of equatorial rainforest named reserve #1202 containing ''[[white-faced saki|Pithecia pithecia]] (''white-faced sakis), to study the effects of ecosystem decay. The 9.2 hectare (less than 25 acre) area had been isolated for five years when [[David Quammen]] noted results on the fragmentation of their habitat which resulted in them being stranded. The population of ''P. pithecia'' was slowly declining at the time of the study and the population had declined to six. |
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===General references=== |
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Eleonore Setz<ref>{{cite book|last1=Quammen|title=The Song Of The Dodo|publisher=Touchstone|isbn=0-684-80083-7|pages=76–80}}</ref> was studying a patch of equatorial rainforest named reserve #1202 |
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| ⚫ | containing ''[[white-faced saki|Pithecia pithecia]] (''white-faced sakis), to study the effects of ecosystem decay. The 9.2 hectare (less than 25 acre) area had been isolated for five years when [[David Quammen]] noted results on the fragmentation of their habitat which resulted in them being stranded. The population of ''P. |
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* Ecosystem Decay of Amazonian Forest Fragments:a 22-Year Investigation (Conservation Biology, Pages 605–618 Volume 16, No. 3, June 2002) William F. Laurance, Thomas E. Lovejoy, Heraldo L. Vasconcelos, Emilio M. Bruna, Raphael K. Didham, Philip C. Stouffer, Claude Gascon, Richard O. Bierregaard, Susan Laurance and Erica Sampaio |
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* {{Cite journal|last1=Mokross|first1=Karl|last2=Ryder|first2=Thomas B.|last3=Côrtes|first3=Marina Corrêa|last4=Wolfe|first4=Jared D.|last5=Stouffer|first5=Philip C.|date=2014-02-07|title=Decay of interspecific avian flock networks along a disturbance gradient in Amazonia|journal=Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B: Biological Sciences|language=en|volume=281|issue=1776|pages=20132599|doi=10.1098/rspb.2013.2599|issn=0962-8452|pmc=3871315|pmid=24335983}} |
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[[Category:Habitat]] |
[[Category:Habitat]] |
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[[Category:Ecology]] |
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Latest revision as of 16:31, 20 June 2023
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2016) |
Ecosystem decay is a term coined by Thomas Lovejoy to define the process of which species become extinct locally based on habitat fragmentation.[1] This process is what led to the extinction of several species, including the Irish Elk. Ecosystem decay can be mainly attributed to population isolation, leading to inbreeding, leading to a decrease in the population of local species. Another factor is the absence of competition, preventing the mechanisms of natural selection to benefit the population. This leads to a lack of a skill set for the animal to adjust and adapt to a new environment. Habitat fragmentation and loss lead to smaller habitat sizes, and ecosystem decay predicts ecological processes are changed so heavily in smaller habitats that the loss in diversity is more extreme than expected by fragmentation alone.[2]
Although similar to forest fragmentation and island biogeography, ecosystem decay is what results in the event of forest fragmentation.
Overview
[edit]Ecosystem decay is a natural phenomenon that has several resulting features.[3]
- Decline of native populations of animals
- Decrease in genetic diversity
- Decrease of the interior:edge ratio
- Isolation of an area of viable habitat
- Reduction in viable habitats and often extreme separation
Process
[edit]The process through which ecosystem decay occurs can be long and complicated or short and hasty. Overall, it still follows some basic guidelines. First, a piece of habitat is surrounded and thus isolated by farmland or cities. Secondly, pollination of the plants immediately ceases and the number of species thins out. Thirdly, through generations of inbreeding and thus higher birth mortality than birth survival rate and infertile dirt, the forest fragment will slowly decline to nothing.
Causes
[edit]Ecosystem decay is commonly caused by the harvesting of rain forest in appliance to certain laws or illegally for profit by humans. Certain countries such as Brazil prohibit the harvesting of Brazil nut trees and groves of this species causing forest fragmentation and thus causing ecosystem decay to occur. Cities, roads, farms and any other substantial barrier impeding and animals habitat can be a direct or an indirect cause. Naturally, fires and rising sea levels on low land can also cause habitat fragmentation and thus ecosystem decay. Although this process is much more lengthy, many species such as the Irish Elk and several species of ancient Australian Marsupials have been indirectly killed this way with contributions by Climate Change, Glaciation and Forest Fires.
Studies
[edit]Eleonore Setz[4] was studying a patch of equatorial rainforest named reserve #1202 containing Pithecia pithecia (white-faced sakis), to study the effects of ecosystem decay. The 9.2 hectare (less than 25 acre) area had been isolated for five years when David Quammen noted results on the fragmentation of their habitat which resulted in them being stranded. The population of P. pithecia was slowly declining at the time of the study and the population had declined to six.
References
[edit]- ^ Warf. Encyclopedia of Geography. p. 856.
- ^ Chase, Jonathan M.; Blowes, Shane A.; Knight, Tiffany M.; Gerstner, Katharina; May, Felix (2020). "Ecosystem decay exacerbates biodiversity loss with habitat loss". Nature. 584 (7820): 238–243. doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2531-2. PMID 32728213. S2CID 256820724.
- ^ Mokross, Karl; Ryder, Thomas B.; Côrtes, Marina Corrêa; Wolfe, Jared D.; Stouffer, Philip C. (2014-02-07). "Decay of interspecific avian flock networks along a disturbance gradient in Amazonia". Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B: Biological Sciences. 281 (1776): 20132599. doi:10.1098/rspb.2013.2599. ISSN 0962-8452. PMC 3871315. PMID 24335983.
- ^ Quammen (1996). The Song Of The Dodo. Touchstone. pp. 76–80. ISBN 0-684-80083-7.
General references
[edit]- Harris, Larry D. (1984). The Fragmented Forest: Island Biogeography Theory and the Preservation of Biotic Diversity. The University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0-226-31763-3.
- Ecosystem Decay of Amazonian Forest Fragments:a 22-Year Investigation (Conservation Biology, Pages 605–618 Volume 16, No. 3, June 2002) William F. Laurance, Thomas E. Lovejoy, Heraldo L. Vasconcelos, Emilio M. Bruna, Raphael K. Didham, Philip C. Stouffer, Claude Gascon, Richard O. Bierregaard, Susan Laurance and Erica Sampaio
- Mokross, Karl; Ryder, Thomas B.; Côrtes, Marina Corrêa; Wolfe, Jared D.; Stouffer, Philip C. (2014-02-07). "Decay of interspecific avian flock networks along a disturbance gradient in Amazonia". Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B: Biological Sciences. 281 (1776): 20132599. doi:10.1098/rspb.2013.2599. ISSN 0962-8452. PMC 3871315. PMID 24335983.