Carl Campbell
Environmental Science with Lab
January 18, 2014 iLab 2 – Week 2 – Ecosystems, Biodiversity, and Species

Introduction
This Lab covers ecosystems, food webs, and the transfer of energy between species. In includes a review of biomes and ecosystems along with the operation of food chains and food webs, looking specifically at how energy is transmitted through the food web as part of the biomass pyramid.

1. Discuss the producer, consumer and decomposer relationships in the Mount St. Helens ecosystem post eruption. a. Producer Relationships – the producer relationships suffered immediate damage in the immediate vicinity of the blast although for about 5 more years the effects spread to a much larger area due to the ash blanked deposited via prevailing winds. In year 9 there began to be notable recovery, in areas furthest from the blast, of producers (vegetation) which peaked in 2010. Even recently additional recovery is being shown in the most damaged areas as well through natural seeding and interaction with consumers. b. Consumer Relationships – Insects, as expected were some of the first to return. Interestingly enough small mammals actually were able to stay in the vicinity in many cases even in the harsh conditions. The large animals were wiped out however and have had to return slowly over time from the surrounding areas. It is important to not this was not a linier return to pre eruption populations rather the species went through several “boom and bust” cycles due to support producer challenges. c. Decomposer Relationships – Decomposer relationships remained established for the most part and have ramped up in alignment with Producer and Consumer needs. In fact the decomposer relationships accelerated the recovery providing the necessary fuel to the ecosystem. It is important to note the area is still not 100% however it underscores the resiliency of the environment over time.

2. Discuss any two plant species and any two animal species that are affecting the Everglades. What are the challenges facing the native species and how are they adapting to the changing environment? d. Plant Species i. Skunk-vine (Paederia foetida L.) – The skunk-vine was introduced to the United States from Asia as a potential fiber plant. The plant is fast growing and aggressive and able to infest not only the everglades but across the southeastern states and Hawaii. It makes most significant inroads when the ground is disturbed or clear cut and strangles out the low level growth and shrubs and in the tropical everglades can even crowd out trees. It is difficult to eradicate and quickly returns when razed without chemicals. The primary impact is to the succulent fauna in the area which results in an impact to the local wildlife. ii. Alligatorweed (Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb.) - Alligatorweed roots in wet soils or shallow water and grows out into waterways however the plant can also grow terrestrially. The thick mats can displace native vegetation and wildlife habitat, clog waterways, restrict oxygen levels of water, increase sedimentation, interfere with irrigation and prevent drainage. Again this plant is difficult to remove without chemicals. The plant is causing significant stress to wildlife with documented reduction in fish life in infested areas which leads to reduction is consumers. e. Animal Species iii. Coyote (Canis latrans) – The Coyote was introduced in the Florida a prey for sports hunters. It is a large concern due to lack of fear of humans and often preys on house pets. It can also be a significant impact to livestock. There has been no success in large scale population management. iv. Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) – The armadillo expanded its range into Florida due to habitat destruction in adjoining states. Today the animal ranges across the state and throughout the panhandle. Armadillos can be a nuisance to homeowners when they dig up lawns looking for food. They also carry diseases such as St. Louis encephalitis, leptospires, arboviruses, and leprosy.

3. Discuss any two serious problems that are affecting the coral reefs in the world today. Suggest solutions to these concerns. f. Climate Change Impacts – The coral reefs are referred to the Tropical Rainforests of the sea. This underlines the damage being done by global climate change which was graphically demonstrated with the bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef corals. This impact impacted the entire food chain in that location with a resulting loss of sea life in the surrounding area. We must control global warming in order to manage this impact. g. Human pressure is also stressing the reef ecosystem. Everything from damage by visiting enthusiasts (scuba, swimming, boating, etc.) to harvesting for the aquarium trades, even harvesting or pharmaceuticals. This must be manages though regulation and in many cases artificial creation. In fact one of the positives is that artificial coral creation shows great promise in providing a renewal able resource.

4. Discuss any two plant and any two animal species that are either endangered of threatened in your state. What efforts is your state taking to protect these species from extinction? Are they successful? What extra actions would support these efforts to ensure higher success rates? h. Illinois Endangered Plant Species v. Speckled Alder (Alnus incana subsp. Rogosa) - Gray alder provides winter browse, although wildlife may not prefer it. This preference may be unexpected because the foliage is high in nitrogen. There is no current plan to manage this resource as it is a secondary producer at best. vi. Sedge (Carex cumulate) – Once again there is not a significant plan to recover this plan in the state. Specifically it is viewed as a component of the Savanah and through established Savanah management programs it is expected to experience sufficient recovery. i. Illinois Endangered Animals vii. Gray Bat (Myotis grisescens) – The gray bat was added to the list of endangered species on April 28, 1976 due primarily to habitat loss and/or depredation. The state fish and game department is following a recovery plan including artificial habitats and protection of known habitats though the courts. viii. Eastern Wood Rat (Neotoma floridana) – The habitat was destroyed thought human expansion. I significant impact was nature trails that exposed the rodent to increased human pressures. The state is currently following a reintroduction plan into areas with historically known populations. It is important that society leaves some undisturbed areas for the habitat of sensitive creatures such as these.

REFERENCES
Topic 1 http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/, Devastation and Recover at Mt. St. Helens, August 29, 1979
Andrea Thompson, Mount St. Helens Still Recovering 30 Years Later, Live Science, May 17, 2010
What Have Scientists Learned Since Mount St. Helens Erupted?, Science Daily, December 13, 2004
Topic 2 http://www.evergladescisma.org/, Invasive Plant Species http://myfwc.com/, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission http://www.nwf.org/wildlife/wild-places/everglades.aspx, National Wildlife Federation, Everglades
Topic 3 http://earthjustice.org, IRREPLACEABLE: WILDLIFE IN A WARMING WORLD,
Rob Painting, Coral: life’s a bleach… and then you die, Skeptical Science, January 13, 2011
Clive Wilkinson, Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2004 [PDF format], World Wildlife Fund, p.7
Topic 4
CHECKLIST OFENDANGERED AND THREATENED ANIMALS AND PLANTS OFILLINOIS, Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board, February 22, 1011
Gray Bat Fact Sheet, Endangered Species, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Eastern Woodrat Recovery Plan, Department of Natural Resources, N.p., Apr. 2003, Web. 15, Oct. 2013, http://www.dr.illionis.gov/
Species coherence in the face of karyotype diversification in holocentric organisms: the case of a cytogenetically variable sedge (Carex scoparia, Cyperaceae), Oxford Journals, May 30, 2013