After the examination of an orchid species found in Madagascar, Charles Darwin predicted that a moth would be discovered in the area with a proboscis that is 11 inches long. Orchids, for example, have co-evolved with insects over millions of years and can only be pollinated by a single species of insect. The relationship between plants and insects is very complex. Some of the plant species that have developed such features include Maple, Cherry, Hawthorne, Buckthorn, Lime, and Rowan Berry. Such features are produced primarily to attract insects that act as the chief agents of pollination for most of them. Plants invest significant amounts of energy in the formation of attractive blooms full of nectar. Insects are responsible for the pollination of about 80% of trees and bushes on the entire planet. For example, it is difficult to calculate how much it costs to decompose plant life and dead bodies in the environment. Experts agree that the economic value derived from insects is, in some cases, unquantifiable. Insects are responsible for biological pest control that also accounts for an additional half-billion in value in the economy. The value came mainly from wildlife, which is typically serviced by insects and forms an essential part of the food chain for birds, mammals, and fish. John Losey and Mace Vaughan, ecologists, based in the US, researched the economic contribution of insects in the United Statesand found it to be about $57 billion, not including the pollination. According to National Geographic, there are about 1.4 billion insects for every human on Earth, and all of them play a crucial role in the ecosystem. Often under-appreciated and viewed by some as a nuisance, insects are “lever pullers of the world”. While all organisms in the ecosystem are essential, the role played by insects is particularly vital. Many of the disservices listed are, however, exacerbated by increased anthropogenic destabilization of ecosystem structures, food webs, and processes responsible for the mitigation of events such as storms, floods, and other weather systems. Ecosystems are also responsible for several “disservices” such as litter, pests, diseases, poisonous and allergenic organisms, animal attacks, and geophysical hazards like floods. While provided at no cost, the value of ecosystem services across the world is estimated at 33 trillion US dollars annually. Other vital aspects of the ecosystem include biological control and feedback mechanisms that ensure consistent delivery of services. The ecosystem also supports pollination, primary production, decomposition, and soil formation, which is essential for resource production. Services provided by the ecosystem can include the provision of food, water, fiber, and other resources, while non-material benefits of the ecosystem can consist of recreation and aesthetic value. Natural ecosystems provide invaluable services to humans and other organisms that are essential for their survival and well-being. The ecosystem can be defined as the complex of organisms, their environment, and their interrelationships in a given geographical area.
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