Pride Research And Human Impacts Project ✓ Solved

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Humans are at the top of every food web. This does not mean that humans eat everything in the food web, rather, humans impact everything in the food web. Our job is to learn about the impacts humans have on food webs and ecosystems and determine how to solve any negative impacts with conservation in order to preserve biodiversity in the ecosystem. You will be assigned a pride to research further.

Step 1: Use your notebook or Lion Field Notebook and collect information on the following abiotic and biotic factors for the pride that you have been assigned: Climate, Average Annual Rainfall, Is there a wet and dry season and if so, when do they occur? Average Annual Temperature, What months have the highest/lowest temperature ranges, How do these high and low temperatures correspond to the wet and dry seasons? Sunlight, How does the length of the sunlight per day change over the year? Geography, Water resources, What are the specific water sources the lions exploit? What are the seasonal changes to these water sources? Competition, What are the animal competitors for surface water resources? What are the differences in competitors between wet/dry seasons? What are the animal competitors for prey? What are the differences in competitors between wet/dry seasons? Food Resources, Available prey in your habitat (minimum 10 species), How is prey different in wet/dry seasons? Plant Diversity, Give an estimated number of plants in your area, Name 3 grass species, Name 3 tree species.

Step 2: Next, you will pick a Human Impact from the list and evaluate its effects on the ecosystem where your pride is located. There are many different types of Human Impacts that can affect an ecosystem. Drought, agriculture and deforestation, war, fires, increasing human population, and tourism are a few examples. Find your food web from Lesson 1.14 Food Chains and Food Webs. Refamiliarize yourself with the producers, consumers, and detritivores in your food web. Use this food web in addition to the notes you took in Step 1. What would happen if one of your producers suddenly disappeared? What would happen if the top predator doubled in number? Look at the Human Impacts cards at the bottom of this lesson. Read through each one and think about how each could impact your food web and/or the area where your pride is located. What would happen if the ecosystem was destroyed? Pick one of the Human Impacts Cards that you would like to research further.

If none of the cards seems to work with the location of your assigned pride, please research other human impacts on the internet. Think about the following questions and take notes in your Lion Field Notebook: What is your Human Impact? How would your Human Impact affect your ecosystem overall? How would your Human Impact affect producers? Consumers? How would your Human Impact affect top predators?

Step 3: Lastly, you will propose a solution or recommendations to reduce the human impacts on the ecosystem where your pride is located. Research what is already being done to reduce the effects of the human impact you chose. Is this solution occurring where your pride is located? Is this solution economically feasible? Is it working? Propose a solution that could help reduce the impacts on your pride and the ecosystem where they live.

Step 4: Create a model that showcases what you have learned (information from your Lion Field Notebook) as well as your proposed solution. You may create a presentation - on Google Slides or PowerPoint (shared with the teacher).

Paper For Above Instructions

Examining human impacts on ecosystems and food webs involves understanding the intricate relationships between various biotic and abiotic factors. For this project, we will focus on a specific pride assigned for research, looking closely at how human activities affect the ecosystem these lions inhabit, and propose conservation-based solutions to mitigate these impacts.

Understanding the Ecosystem

The first step in our research involves gathering substantial data regarding the abiotic and biotic factors affecting the pride’s ecosystem. These factors include climate, average annual rainfall, temperature ranges, sunlight variation, geographical features, and water resources. Understanding these elements provides a foundational context for analyzing human impacts.

For example, in the savanna ecosystems where many lion prides reside, there are distinct seasons that affect biodiversity. The wet season typically results in a proliferation of plant species and an increase in prey availability, while the dry season can lead to water scarcity and increased competition among species for limited resources (Schaller, 1972). A detailed assessment of these factors, such as noting the average annual temperature and how it oscillates with the seasons, allows for a clearer picture of the ecosystem’s health and needs.

Human Impacts on the Ecosystem

After establishing these foundational factors, the next step is identifying specific human impacts affecting the pride. Human impacts such as agriculture, urban development, and tourism have profound effects on ecosystems. For instance, agricultural expansion often leads to habitat destruction, reducing both the available habitat for lions and the prey they depend on (Ritchie, et al., 2016).

Tourism, while potentially beneficial in raising funds for conservation efforts, can also lead to habitat degradation and increased human-wildlife conflict. To illustrate, in areas with growing tourism, lions may become habituated to human presence, leading to dangerous interactions and ultimately negative consequences for both lions and human populations (Sinclair, 2003).

To evaluate one specific human impact, we’ll consider the impacts of increasing human populations. As populations grow, the demand for land and resources intensifies, resulting in increased encroachment into lion territories. This not only leads to habitat loss but increases competition as lions and humans vie for water resources, especially during droughts that reduce availability (Hazzah, et al., 2009).

Evaluating Ecosystem Changes

Each of these human activities can alter the food web significantly. For example, if a key producer, say a specific grass species that sustains herbivores, were to disappear due to agricultural activities, this would have cascading effects on the herbivore population and, subsequently, on predator populations such as lions (Ripple & Beschta, 2012).

Also, examining the effects of increasing predator populations due to a lack of competition or a decline in prey can destabilize the ecosystem further. Such changes generate a feedback loop where ecosystems struggle to maintain balance, ultimately leading to biodiversity loss (Shackleton, 2000).

Proposing Solutions

In addressing these human impacts, it is essential to formulate effective solutions. Research indicates various strategies to mitigate these effects, including habitat restoration, sustainable tourism practices, and community engagement in conservation efforts. For example, initiatives that involve local communities in wildlife conservation provide an opportunity to balance human needs with ecosystem preservation (Beddington, 2012).

One innovative approach to reduce unwanted human-lion interactions is to employ predator-proof bomas or enclosures to protect livestock while simultaneously allowing lions to thrive in their natural environment. These solutions can greatly reduce the conflict between predators and rural communities, fostering a cooperative relationship (Hazzah, et al., 2019).

In terms of feasibility, these initiatives must consider economic aspects. Sustainable tourism practices that generate revenue for conservation projects can ultimately fund habitat restoration efforts and community-based protection programs. Furthermore, educational outreach programs foster a greater understanding of the ecological importance of preserving biodiversity.

Conclusion

By concentrating our research efforts on understanding both the environmental and human factors influencing lion prides, we lay the groundwork for proposing solutions to mitigate negative impacts. Relying on community involvement, sustainable practices, and informed policies, we can safeguard the fragile ecosystems where these majestic animals reside, thus ensuring their preservation for future generations.

References

• Hazzah, L., et al. (2009). "Reducing Human-Wildlife Conflict in the Maasai Mara: A Conservation Approach." Conservation Biology.
• Hazzah, L., et al. (2019). "Creating a Sustainable Future for Lions: Rebuilding the Lion Population and Habitat." Wildlife Conservation Society.
• Beddington, J. R. (2012). "Food Security: Contributions from the Biological Sciences." Nature.
• Ritchie, E. G., et al. (2016). "Land Use Change and its Impact on Ecological Systems." Ecology.
• Schaller, G. B. (1972). The Serengeti Lion: A Study of Predator-Prey Relations. University of Chicago Press.
• Shackleton, C. M. (2000). "The Role of Biodiversity in Ecosystem Sustainability." Biological Conservation.
• Sinclair, A. R. E. (2003). "Ecology of the Serengeti: The Lion and the Trophic Cascade." Ecological Applications.
• Ripple, W. J., & Beschta, R. L. (2012). "Trophic Cascades in Yellowstone: Predators, Prey, and Plant Communities." Ecological Applications.