Objective: Describe one threat against river ecosystems.
There are many threats posed to healthy thriving rivers, among them are dams, invasive plants, invasive species, overfishing, excessive recreational ATV use, mining, oil drilling and transport, erosion, pollution, and diversion of water that would feed into a river. Out of these threats, the greatest would be a spill of oil or chemicals into a river system. A toxic spill would compromise the plants, animals, fish, and humans that rely on that water system. (DeWitt)
Objective: Explain why an estuary is a very productive ecosystem.
Estuaries are so important because of the great biodiversity of plants, insects, fish, and birds. Estuaries help capture sediment and nutrients from flushing immediately into the sea creating a very productive ecosystem. Estuaries are safe areas for birds, amphibians, and other creatures to lay their eggs, providing a wealth of insects for nutrients. They also help to stop the erosion of the land from ocean activities and to absorb excess water during increased rain or snow melt; this excess water catchment helps to reduce flooding in surrounding areas. Unfortunately, we are losing estuaries due to human development, increased erosion, and sea level rise associated with climate change. (DeWitt)
Objective: Describe two threats to ocean organisms.
From an indigenous perspective, there are many threats to ocean organisms. Among them are pollution, offshore drilling, acidification, loss of oxygen, loss of biodiversity, overfishing, and miles of commercial nets which can decimate a population. The effects of energy production from non-renewable resources have a great toll on the oceans and coastlines, especially when an accident or failure of the system occurs. The effects of oil spills and the dispersant used to clean them up can be seen when looking at the Exxon Valdez in Alaska and the Deepwater Horizon in Louisiana. The failure of a nuclear power plant like the one that happened in Fukishima, Japan in 2011 will have effects lasting thousands of years. These kinds of accidents cannot be fully safeguarded against, it is not a matter of “if” they will happen, but “when” will they happen. A risk that is too great, causing full ecosystem collapses and serious health issues and even death for the humans exposed to them. (DeWitt)
Another significant threat to ocean organisms is from mass consumerism. The throwaway lifestyle creates tons of byproducts of industry that are released into the river and ocean systems. With the items being thrown into landfills by oceans edges, dumped into the sea, or carelessly thrown wherever, there is an enormous amount of plastic that is circulating in the ocean. This plastic is leaching chemicals into the ocean, creating gyres of plastic islands blocking out the sun, and animals are eating or getting trapped by these items. This is causing serious illness, injury, and significant amounts of death due to human waste. (DeWitt)