Bio-Diversity

In the Credit River

Nicholas Pulsone

Geo-131

Dr. Atkinson

November 18th 2014

Table of Contents

Introduction on Boreal Conifers 3

What is Biodiversity? 4

Biodiversity in the Credit River 5

Increasing Biodiversity 8

Conclusion 9

References 10

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IntroBio-Diversity is key to a sustainable ecosystem. This provides a healthy balance of

certain species and other organisms to inhibit a flourishing ecosystem. Bio Diversity

describes the variety of different life forms and other species associated with the particular

region that is being analyzed. The Credit river; which is essentially part of Ontario's

greenbelt, is subject a lack of Bio Diversity. This in turn, hinders the progression and

development of the ecosystem by not providing adequate conditions and situations for

appropriate mating. An example of this is the surplus of Red and White Pine trees in the area.

With a vast majority of these trees in this ecosystem, certain wild life that depend on other

trees are not being accommodated. Furthermore, since the tree's in that area are quite similar

(due to the mono-culture) the mating trees end up having similar genes which thus produce

virtually similar trees. This also leads to a low regeneration rate. "With wildfires in Canada

accounting for over 85% of the burned forest area, there is a cause for concern in this

ecosystem. Although most forest fires are fought, some go un-noticed or are hard to deal

with regarding the circumstances; such as fire caused by lighting, etc."(Canadian Geographic

2014) With a potential for the ecosystem to slowly collapse, many efforts have been made to

repopulate the area with old and new species in order to possibly create a brand new

ecosystem that could flourish under the given circumstances and sustain life.

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What is Bio Diversity?"Bio diversity is a key attribute among some of the most well balanced and nourished

ecosystems throughout the world. Bio Diversity is one aspect of the global ecosystem."(Earth

Day Canada 2014) Having different species' within an eco system is quite similar to having a

multitude of different workers within a factory, with different skill sets but working to

achieve the same goal. Furthermore, Bio Diversity is being affect by global warming.

Moreover, many more species are becoming endangered and less likely to survive through a

vast majority of living conditions. This therefore provides a constraint on what specific

species are available in certain climates; and this is only one example of how bio diversity is

affected by conditions throughout the world. One example that Bio Diversity is essential

revolves in the ocean. Imagine an aquatic ecosystem filled with just dolphins. This

ecosystem generally would not survive (many other key factors must also be taken in to

account such as the possibility of dolphins adapting to the limited ecosystem and become

Carnivores) and as such dolphins require the necessary food to manage and sustain

themselves. This is true for many other species, with the food chain also being an example of

this; without a variety of species in our ecosystems, the food chain would ultimately

collapse.

Diagram 1 (Producer & Consumer Chain 2014) The food chain regarding different types of consumers etc.

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Bio Diversity in the Credit RiverTheir are many species at risk within the Credit River and Ontario Green Belt as a

whole. "One of these species includes the Rapids club tail, the very first dragon fly to be

placed at risk in Ontario. This has been mainly due to habitat loss from the non-self

sustaining ecosystem that they inhabit; which is in this case, the Ontario Green Belt. The

Rapids Club Tail is known for residing in land close to that of water but is generally located

in the area of the Ontario Green Belt. The Rapids Club Tail helps ensure that the mosquito

and midge population is kept to a minimum, but also requires help from humans as they

require cool clear water for breeding"(David Suzuki 2011). This is a cycle used to help

maintain balance within the credit river but it can also be disrupted. If the Rapids Club Tail

is unable to breed, and the water is filthy; the mosquito population will increase and will

bring disrupt the ecosystem even further as well as harm species in the area.

Furthermore, there is also a problem with the species of trees along the credit river.

Even though there was an effort to replant and reforest the land, it still enabled a problem as

the species that were planted were mainly Red and White Pine trees. This also hinders the

reproduction and a low regeneration rate as previously mentioned. Furthermore, since these

trees were part of the replanting project in the area, the trees are not able to sustain

themselves (for the most part) and ecosystem suffers as a result. This is because the solar

dependant species in the area; such as various plants and animals rely on the open/un-open

canopy for nutrients and survival.

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The pictures below further show the lack of biodiversity in the credit river involving

the Red and White pine trees.

Figure 1; Taken from Nicholas Pulsone, Ryerson Credit River field trip Ryerson Fall 2014 Geo-131.

Figure 2; Taken from Nicholas Pulsone, Ryerson Credit River field trip Ryerson Fall 2014 Geo-131.

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Ultimately, the red and white pine species are very close to each other and not spread

out whatsoever. This further hinders the reproduction process and biodiversity since many of

the offspring (and mating trees) tend to have similar DNA to either that of the other mating

tree or parent tree. This is a vicious cycle that, without the involvement of humans and

helping the ecosystem; would ultimately lead to the unbalance and eventual destabilization

of the ecosystem.

Moreover, another example of the biodiversity problem in the Credit River is the

Monarch Butterfly. "The Monarch Butterfly evolves from caterpillars whom have undergone

metamorphosis. The caterpillars rely on eating milkweed for growth but have since slightly

lowered in terms of population. This is directly related to the smaller amount of milkweed;

which leads to a lower amount of Monarch Butterflies."(Learn About Nature 2014)

Evidently, the Monarch Butterfly goes through different generations and stages of

reproduction, with the fourth generation migrating to warmer climates such as Mexico and

California. However, with a lower amount of milkweed in Ontario, the Monarch Butterfly

population decreases and the migration process is hindered. This is just one example of how

one population of a species can directly affect another.

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Increasing Biodiversity and its effects on an ecosystem

Increasing biodiversity can lead to a self-sustaining and flourishing ecosystem. An

example of this is the food chain. With multiple species in an ecosystem, and the right

environment; the ecosystem has the potential to sustain itself. There are many ways to

increase Biodiversity. One way is to re-introduce species into its original ecosystem. By re-

introducing a species, you are simulating the original ecosystem prior to it being disturbed.

The reason the species that is being re-introduced is no longer there, is probably due to a

limiting factor or that a main necessity that the species required to survive, is no longer

readily available. However, by simply re-introducing the species into the ecosystem, it is not

guaranteed that the species and ecosystem will thrive. This is because the problem that the

ecosystem may have experienced to remove the species originally; may still be a problem.

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ConclusionIn conclusion, the lack of bio diversity in the credit river hinders the progression and

development of the ecosystem. This leads to a low regeneration rate and an inability for the

ecosystem to sustain itself. Furthermore, this affects the cycle of life and the food chain as

certain species are unable to sustain themselves and live due to the poor living conditions and

this ultimately affects other species as well; which is a result of the ecosystem's slow but

inevitable collapse. The Credit River ecosystem has the potential of collapse without human

interaction due to its lack of biodiversity, and poor conditions for sustaining the species

living within it.

Diagram 2; Torsten Bernhardt, Canadian Biodiversity 2013

References

Canadian Geographic. (n.d.). Just the Facts. Canada's Burning Bush.

David Suzuki Foundation. (2011). Nature at the edge of the pavement. Biodiversity in Ontario’s

Greenbelt, 5-15. Retrieved from

http://www.ontarionature.org/discover/resources/PDFs/reports/REPORT-GB_Habitat-

Dec2011.pdf

Earth Day Canada. (n.d.). Biodiversity - What is Biodiversity? Retrieved from

http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/eco_info/topics/biodiversity/index.cfm

EcoKids & Earth day canada. (n.d.). Biodiversity. Retrieved from

http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/homework_help/biodiversity/

Learn About Nature. (n.d.). Monarch Butterfly Site: Life Cycle, Migration, Pictures, News,

More! Retrieved from http://www.monarch-butterfly.com/

Producer & Consumer chain.Retrieved from http://www.tburg.k12.ny.us/mcdonald/chain.jpg.gif

Torsten Bernhardt. (n.d.). Canadian Biodiversity: Theory: Ecosystem Functioning and Stability.

Retrieved from

http://canadianbiodiversity.mcgill.ca/english/theory/ecosystemfunction.htm