Keystone species found in the biome/ecosystem and its importance to the ecosystem.
The ecosystem is maintained at its optimal point through the delicate practice of balance. Key to maintaining this balance is the existence of keystone species. They are species that play a vital role in the constitution and functioning of a given ecosystem. The Atlantic Herring is identified as one of the keystone species of the Atlantic Ocean. The Herring is instrumental in reducing the algae and plant growth levels in the ocean.It, therefore, plays a vital role in the ecosystem (Kotterba et al., 2017). In addition to this, the species acts as a vital source of food for several predator species in the ecosystem.
What defines it as a keystone species?
The Atlantic Herring is classified as a keystone species based on the vital role they play in the ecosystem. Herrings sit almost at the bottom of the food chain in this ecosystem deeming it a vital source of food for the ocean’s predators (Kotterba et al., 2017). Research emphasizes this by revealing that the Herring consumed by key predators in the ecosystem accounts for roughly three-quarters of the total number of Herrings that are consumed by both predators and humans (Kotterba et al., 2017). Therefore, the Atlantic Herring act as a vital source of energy in the ecosystem in which they exist, deeming the species a keystone species.
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Invasive species found in the ecosystem and their negative effects.
Invasive species in any given ecosystem often result in unpredictable and serious consequences. Given the fact that invasive species are foreign to an ecosystem, the ecosystem is often not adapted to cater for the ecological needs of the new species (Schofield, 2010). This often leads to critical and drastic changes in the functioning of the ecosystem.
The Lionfish invaded the Atlantic Ocean from their natural habitats originally in the Indo-Pacific and Red-Sea. The spread of the lionfish has led to negative impacts on the ecosystem largely based in the diverse and broad diet ranging from tiny organisms to fish, both adults and juvenile are primarily dependent on the species and size (Schofield, 2010). The consumption of a considerable portion of the ecosystem has not only led to the starvation of predators in the biome, but it has also led to an imbalance in the ecosystem due to consumption of juvenile species and algae consuming species.
What is being done to mitigate impact?
In a bid to mitigate the profound effect that lionfish have had on the ecosystem local authorities in afflicted areas have encouraged local fishermen to target the fish (Schofield, 2010). Furthermore, the public has been educated on the negative effects that the species have had on the ecosystem in order to discourage activities that may lead to increased populations (Schofield, 2010). The steps taken are intended to ensure that the population growth of lionfish is not only curbed but also reduced to reduce the negative impact that the species has had on the ecosystem.
Endangered species found in the ecosystem and causes of the decline in numbers of the species.
Endangered species often emerge in an ecosystem siting drastically diminishing populations of species based on activities both within the ecosystem, for instance, invasive species, and those outside the ecosystem, for instance, human activities like over-fishing. An example of an endangered species found in the Atlantic Ocean is the Blue Finned Tuna (Safina et al., 2008). The declining numbers of the species are largely attributed to the vast instances of over-fishing due to the health and market value of the tuna.
What is being done to mitigate the impact?
Authorities have embarked on efforts to attempt to educate the public on the ecological importance of tuna and the threats that it faces as a species (Safina et al., 2008). Furthermore, the concerned parties have raised awareness of the innumerable instances of overfishing which has seen to the endangerment of one the most valuable species in the ocean (Safina et al., 2008). Through these steps, both stakeholders and the relevant authorities intend to protect the population of the endangered species so as to ensure the proper functioning of ecological systems.
References
Kotterba, P., Polte, P., Moll, D., von Nordheim, L., Hammer, H., Oesterwind, D., & Peck, M. A. (2017). Atlantic herring Clupea harengus within the coastal food web of shallow inshore waters.
Safina, C., & Klinger, D. H. (2008). Collapse of bluefin tuna in the western Atlantic. Conservation Biology , 22 (2), 243-246.
Schofield, P. J. (2010). Update on geographic spread of invasive lionfishes (Pterois volitans [Linnaeus, 1758] and P. miles [Bennett, 1828]) in the Western North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. Aquatic Invasions , 5 (Supplement 1), S117-S122.
