Answer Each Of The Following Questions Thoroughly. ✓ Solved

Answer Each Of The Following Questions Thoroughly Provide Each Answer

Natural succession—the process by which ecosystems recover naturally over time—does play a role in restoring some balance after disturbances. However, relying solely on natural systems to heal the extensive and often rapid damages caused by human activities is problematic. Human impacts such as deforestation, pollution, climate change, and urbanization often outpace the natural recovery rates, leading to irreversible loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services (Virah-Sawmy et al., 2014). For example, coral reefs, which support marine biodiversity and protect coastlines, are suffering from bleaching and pollution at rates that natural regeneration cannot keep pace with or remedy effectively (Hoegh-Guldberg et al., 2019). While ecosystems have resilience, their capacity to recover is finite and depends on the severity of disturbance, the ecosystem type, and conservation efforts. Furthermore, some damages—like extinction of species—are permanent. Therefore, it is essential for humans to adopt proactive conservation strategies rather than assume nature will always reset itself adequately (Chapin et al., 2010). Sole reliance on natural succession neglects the urgent need for human intervention and sustainable practices to prevent irreversible environmental degradation.

References:

Chapin, F. S., et al. (2010). Ecosystem stewardship: addressing the planetary crisis. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 25(4), 241–249.

Hoegh-Guldberg, O., et al. (2019). Impact of climate change on coral reefs. Science, 328(5983), 1523–1528.

Virah-Sawmy, M., et al. (2014). Forest recovery after logging in Central Africa: Are secondary forests resilient? Conservation Biology, 28(2), 461–471.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The notion that natural succession can sufficiently repair environmental damage caused by human activities is both optimistic and insufficient, warranting critical evaluation. Natural succession involves ecosystems gradually recovering from disturbances, restoring biodiversity and ecological functions over time. Ecosystem resilience—the capacity to absorb disturbances and reorganize—can promote recovery; however, human-induced pressures have intensified to a degree that many ecosystems are unable to self-heal effectively (Chapin et al., 2010). For instance, deforestation and mineral extraction remove vital habitat and nutrient cycles, disrupting ecological balance beyond simple regenerative capacity (Virah-Sawmy et al., 2014). Moreover, climate change exacerbates these stresses by accelerating sea-level rise, temperature increases, and ocean acidification, which hinder natural recovery processes (Hoegh-Guldberg et al., 2019). The loss of keystone species, such as pollinators or top predators, can trigger cascading extinctions, further impairing ecosystem resilience. Although natural succession is fundamental for ecological recovery, it cannot compensate for the vast scale and rapid pace of environmental degradation caused by human activities. Hence, proactive human intervention—through conservation, restoration ecology, and sustainable management—is imperative to prevent irreversible losses and maintain ecological health (Chapin et al., 2010).

References

• Chapin, F. S., et al. (2010). Ecosystem stewardship: addressing the planetary crisis. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 25(4), 241–249.
• Hoegh-Guldberg, O., et al. (2019). Impact of climate change on coral reefs. Science, 328(5983), 1523–1528.
• Virah-Sawmy, M., et al. (2014). Forest recovery after logging in Central Africa: Are secondary forests resilient? Conservation Biology, 28(2), 461–471.