Natural Resources And Energy Research Paper

PAGES
2
WORDS
580
Cite

Natural Resources and Energy: Florida Everglades Effects of Agriculture

The Everglades' freshwater ecosystem supplies vital services to the local population, such as the maintenance of South Florida's agriculture and drinking water (National Wildlife Preservation, 2012). However, these services are rarely accounted for in decision making in regards to land use and planning. As a result of the natural services being taken for granted, Agricultural scientists agree that modern agriculture faces an environmental calamity. Specifically, " the very nature of the agricultural structure and prevailing policies have led to this environmental crisis by favoring large farm size, specialized production, crop monocultures and mechanization" (Altieri, 2001).

The absence of diversifications and rotations of crops, necessary for the self-regulating process, induces the agroecosystems to rely on vast amounts of chemicals, such as fertilizer nutrients. Moreover, crops ineffectively absorb the chemical...

...

According to Altieri (2001), "In the U.S. It is estimated that about 50-70% of all nutrients that reach surface waters is derived from fertilizers." This type of agricultural development is not sustainable in the long run and further growth in this type of farming threatens to damage the capacity of the ecosystem to regenerate itself through natural processes.
In a freshwater ecosystem, the sun shines on the water and aids the growth of the algae. The alga provides oxygen for various animals such as fish, and supplies food for microorganisms which have an important role in the local ecosystem. The variety of smaller fish that consume the microorganisms, also process oxygen and emit carbon dioxide, which serves as an asset to the flora uses carbon dioxide to develop. Consequently, without the algae, the lake's ecosystem becomes disrupted (New Hampshire Public Television, 2012).

The consequence of such land use leads to…

Sources Used in Documents:

Effects of Human Population

In July 2010 the World Heritage Committee placed the Everglades on the "List of World Heritage in Danger" as a result of the reduction in natural water flows and the introduction of various pollutants from urban growth that reduce the nutrients necessary for ecological balances to occur naturally. Excess water flows at given times is also a problem for nesting animals that build in areas that would normally be elevated during dryer seasons. The Everglades is an aquatic ecosystem and the loss of the habitat for all the species that inhabit or migrate to the area is critical. Furthermore, the Everglades represents a dynamic region where saltwater meets freshwater. This acts to provide a replenishment area for the Biscayne Aquifer which in turn accounts for most of the freshwater supply for Southern Florida.

The increase of construction and related activities after hurricanes Katrina and Andrew have increased the amount of pollution emitted into the local system which in turn further increases the environmental threats for 14 endangered species, over 400 birds, and many mammals,


Cite this Document:

"Natural Resources And Energy" (2012, June 13) Retrieved April 19, 2024, from
https://www.paperdue.com/essay/natural-resources-and-energy-59565

"Natural Resources And Energy" 13 June 2012. Web.19 April. 2024. <
https://www.paperdue.com/essay/natural-resources-and-energy-59565>

"Natural Resources And Energy", 13 June 2012, Accessed.19 April. 2024,
https://www.paperdue.com/essay/natural-resources-and-energy-59565

Related Documents

Natural Resource & Energy Natural Resource Energy Economics is how to earn money and how to consume it. Adam Smith is known as the father of economics who proposed the basic and the most authentic definition of the term 'Economics'. Economics is known as a king subject which is used in almost every field. The main perspective of this study is to jot down about an ecosystem of Big Bear Lake. Apart from

Natural Resourcs War is one of the primordial human traditions. Man has always been enthusiastic about fighting, murdering and stealing from others. However, it doesn't derive us to the conclusion that interpersonal associations are dependent on war as a requisite or obligatory institution (Mises 10+). Many believe that war is a natural necessity and man can only attain full human importance if he behaves aggressively and antagonistically (Mead 415). If the militarist

Land Management Forest Land Management One of the most precious resources that the United States possesses are the national and state forests which dot the landscape. Federally protected forests can be a great asset to government if they are properly controlled, and there has been some concern shown by the present administration regarding this issue. The Bureau of Land Management has just issued new directives about "which parts of the forest can

Fate of the Earth Unfortunately, even if someone could wave a magic wand that causes all of the nuclear weapons on earth to disappear, many believe that due to the depletion of natural resources, the earth would still be in danger of catastrophe, and humankind in danger of extinction. Jonathan Schell's book "Fate of the Earth" is an alarming portrait of the nuclear power in the world. Since the end of World

Oil was tucked deep in the belly of the earth and was often mixed with brine. It required innovations in drilling and refinery. In timber production, it demanded innovation in the felling of trees, sawing mills and processing of wood. California was the first place to have an offshore drilling station. Water had to be moved for long distances for hydroelectric power and irrigation. Technological innovations allowed all this

8 billion, and primary metal manufactures, $1.4 billion (Exports pp). Together, these five manufactured product categories accounted for 61% of the state's total exports of goods in for that year (Exports pp). In dollar terms, the leading manufactured export growth category is transportation equipment, rising $294 million between 1999 to 2003, while others included miscellaneous manufactures, up $248 million, processed foods, up $192 million, and primary metal manufactures, up $171 million