HOW HAS HUMANS AFFECTED THE ANTARCTIC FOOD WEB
I am a tax preparer and got swamped, now My paper is so late. Help, this is case we have to analyze.
700-to-900 word analysis of the case at bottom and these questions in the analysis:
o Identify any unintended consequences of humankind’s activities that have led to environmental problems.
o Describe how scientific or technological activities are exacerbating or improving the existing situation.
o Discuss how a proper application of the scientific method could have helped the problem.
o Address any alternative solutions beyond the scientific method. Include references.
CASE STUDY: HOW HUMANS HAVE AFFECTED THE ANTARCTIC FOOD WEB
Although the icy waters around Antarctica may seem an inhospitable environment, a complex food web is found there. The base of the food web consists of microscopic, photosynthetic algae present in vast numbers in the well-lit, nutrient-rich water. A huge population of herbivores—tiny shrimp like krill—eat these marine algae. Krill, in turn, support a variety of larger animals. A major consumer of krill is the baleen whale, which filters krill out of the frigid water. Baleen whales include blue whales, humpback whales, and right whales. Squid and fishes also consume krill in great quantities. These, in turn, are eaten by other carnivores: toothed whales such as the sperm whale, elephant seals and leopard seals, king penguins and emperor penguins, and birds such as the albatross and the petrel.
Humans have had an impact on the Antarctic food web as they have had on most other ecosystems. Before the advent of whaling, baleen whales consumed huge quantities of krill. Until a global ban on hunting large whales was enacted in 1986, whaling steadily reduced the number of large baleen whales in Antarctic waters. As a result, of fewer whales eating krill, more krill became available for other krill-eating animals, whose populations increased.
Now that commercial whaling is regulated, it is hoped that the number of large baleen whales will slowly increase, and that appears to be the case for some species. However, the populations of most baleen whales in the Southern Hemisphere are still a fraction of their pre-whaling levels. It is not known whether baleen whales will return to their former position of dominance in terms of krill consumption in the food web. Biologists will monitor changes in the Antarctic food web as the whale populations recover.
Thinning of the ozone layer in the stratospheric region of the atmosphere over Antarctica has the potential to cause long-term effects on the entire Antarctic food web. Ozone thinning allows more of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation to penetrate to Earth’s surface. Ultraviolet radiation contains more energy than visible light and can break the chemical bonds of some biologically important molecules, such as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Scientists are concerned that ozone thinning over Antarctica may damage the algae that form the base of the food web in the Southern Ocean. Increased ultraviolet radiation is penetrating the surface waters around Antarctica, and algal productivity has declined, probably as a result of increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The problem of stratospheric ozone depletion also increasing.
Another human-induced change that may be responsible for declines in certain Antarctic populations is global climate change. As the water has warmed in recent decades around Antarctica, less pack ice has formed during winter months. Large numbers of marine algae are found in and around the pack ice, providing a critical supply of food for the krill, which reproduce in the area. Years with below-average pack ice cover mean fewer algae, which mean fewer krill reproducing. Scientists have demonstrated that low krill abundance coincides with unsuccessful breeding seasons for penguins and fur seals, which struggle to find food during warmer winters. Scientists are concerned that climate change will continue to decrease the amount of pack ice, which will reverberate through the food web. Global climate change, including the effect on Adélie penguins in Antarctica is also a problem.
To complicate matters, some commercial fishermen have started to harvest krill to make fish meal for aquaculture industries. Scientists worry that the human harvest of krill may endanger the many marine animals that depend on krill for food.
Antarctic krill are these tiny, shrimp like animals live in large swarms and eat photosynthetic algae in and around the pack ice. Whales, squid, and fishes consume vast numbers of krill.
UOP is a college, or so I thought. In Stockton, CA. It is not the subject of your question.
Many of your questions can be answered by reading the essay you provided. The ozone hole, a consequence of human activity, is one example.
o Identify any unintended consequences of humankind’s activities that have led to environmental problems.
o Describe how scientific or technological activities are exacerbating or improving the existing situation.
o Discuss how a proper application of the scientific method could have helped the problem.
o Address any alternative solutions beyond the scientific method. Include references.
To analyze the case and answer the questions, you can follow the steps below:
1. Identify any unintended consequences of humankind’s activities that have led to environmental problems:
- The advent of whaling reduced the number of large baleen whales in Antarctic waters, resulting in an increase in the population of krill-eating animals.
- Climate change has led to a decrease in pack ice, affecting the abundance of marine algae and krill, which in turn impacts the breeding season and food availability for penguins and fur seals.
- Ozone thinning over Antarctica has increased ultraviolet radiation, damaging the algae that form the base of the food web in the Southern Ocean.
2. Describe how scientific or technological activities are exacerbating or improving the existing situation:
- Scientific monitoring and research help in understanding the impacts of human activities on the Antarctic food web and its components.
- Technological advancements enable more accurate measurements of ozone depletion and climate change, aiding in predicting and mitigating their effects.
3. Discuss how a proper application of the scientific method could have helped the problem:
- The scientific method involves making observations, forming hypotheses, conducting experiments, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions.
- By applying the scientific method, scientists can better understand the complex interactions within the Antarctic food web, assess the impacts of human activities, and propose solutions to mitigate these impacts.
4. Address any alternative solutions beyond the scientific method:
- Implementing stricter regulations on commercial whaling to allow baleen whale populations to recover and maintain a balanced food web.
- International agreements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow down climate change, thereby preserving pack ice and the abundance of marine algae and krill.
- Regulating the harvesting of krill to ensure the sustainability of this vital food source for marine animals.
Remember to conduct further research, gather data, and cite relevant references to support your analysis.