Each of the elements found in nature work together in order to create a balance. This is necessary so that all living beings that inhabit an ecosystem can live without problems. However, when an ecological imbalance occurs, the situation can turn negative, so it is important to know how it affects the environment.
Ecological imbalance What is it?
Normally, nature is always in balance, however, sometimes actions occur that break this balance. When this happens, a phenomenon known as ecological imbalance occurs, which causes serious consequences for the environment.
There are two fundamental factors that open the way to ecological imbalance, the first is an external alteration in the environment. This can occur naturally or caused by some action of human beings. The other factor is that said alteration far exceeds the regulation capacity that the ecosystem should have.
Once both factors are completed, both the networks and the cycles of the ecosystems are destabilized. As a consequence, the environment is negatively modified until it is completely destroyed. This is what is known as an ecological imbalance and can permanently affect the environment.
What are the causes of ecological imbalance?
Now, there are many causes of ecological imbalance, however, some can cause the imbalance to accelerate worryingly. What causes a faster and more severe deterioration in ecosystems until practically achieving their disappearance. Some of the most important causes of this imbalance are the following:
Overexploitation of natural resources
Undoubtedly one of the main causes of this environmental destabilization is the overexploitation of natural resources. The extraction of minerals, water, excessive hunting and even the overexploitation of the soil, cause an imbalance in nature. When an element of nature is considerably reduced, instability is generated almost automatically.
Pollution due to organic matter
To understand it better, eutrophication can be taken as an example, which provides excessive amounts of organic matter. What ends up consuming the oxygen found in an ecosystem and therefore, the life of the species that inhabit it
High levels of inorganic contamination
It occurs when the tolerance levels of an ecosystem are exceeded and the purification methods of the organisms do not work correctly. An example of this is the discharge of water where biodiversity is seriously damaged.
Little territorial management
In order to increase the index of healthy populations, the absence of external agents is not the only thing that must be taken into account. Both populations and ecosystems need to maintain a perfect connection with each other.
Consequences of ecological imbalance
When there is an alteration in a certain habitat, this can negatively affect the elements found within it. In this sense, the consequences of the ecological imbalance can be increased depending on the causes and severity. Among the most important consequences are the following:
– Soil erosion is usually one of the most common consequences when an ecological destabilization occurs.
– Eutrophication of large bodies of water causing the death of many aquatic species.
– Desertification in large areas that could end the life of the species that inhabit these ecosystems.
– In some cases there are some natural disasters that not only affect nature, but also man.
– Territorial destabilization in populated areas, especially those surrounded by diverse ecosystems.
– Habitat degradation or destruction.
– Decline and extinction of a large number of animal and plant species.
– Diseases due to the introduction of non-native species due to the significant reduction of species that inhabited an ecosystem.
Some examples of ecological imbalance
Once the causes and consequences are known, it is also important to keep in mind some examples of ecological imbalance.
In Australia, a large part of the red kangaroo population has been reduced to alarming levels. Although its reproduction is carried out without problems, the instability in the rain cycle negatively affects its mortality rate. The constant droughts have always been a huge problem for different species, which prevents an ecological balance from being achieved.
On the other hand, in the town of Rothamsted in England, some plant varieties have failed to maintain an ecological balance. This is because most of these species are perennial and very old. This makes it difficult for them to be maintained after some important environmental alteration.
These are just some of the examples that can be mentioned when it comes to ecological imbalance. However, the vast majority of these are caused by humans. As a result, the lifespan of a wide variety of species has been significantly reduced, while others are on the verge of extinction.
How to avoid ecological imbalance?
In order to preserve biodiversity, environmental quality and promote sustainable development, it is best to know how to avoid ecological imbalance. For this, the fundamental thing is not to alter any of the situations that help maintain a good ecological balance found in the environment.
Man is known for his uncontrolled desire to create large artificial ecosystems without any kind of ecological balance. Within these artificial ecosystems each of the biotic elements are determined according to the needs of humans. Which means that they are developed for specific purposes such as livestock and agricultural production.
Many of the areas used for the growth of livestock or agricultural monocultures are very clear examples of ecological imbalance. These are just some of the ones that cause the most damage to the environment and, of course, to the planet.
The human population has maintained an excessive growth in recent years, causing many consequences. One of these is the expansion of large areas of artificial ecosystems that gradually destroy the natural world. This irrational growth must be reduced through various measures such as voluntary family planning and education. Being just one of the solutions for the ecological imbalance and protection of the planet.
On the other hand, it is very important to reduce food waste, while promoting organic food production. For this it is necessary to increase the consumption of foods of plant origin, reducing those of animal origin.
Sources:
ecologygreen
lifeder
agroecology