Biotic Components

The impact on the ecosystem is greatly due to human expansion and it is becoming difficult to sustain the health of the ecosystem as well as the species that live in it. The need for ecological integrity has to be enforced amongst humans, species, and habitats alike. If there is no common ground then the ecosystem is destined to have an increase in endangered species and habitats.

The change in the ecosystem has been changing rapidly over time thus causing the loss of many endangered species and habitats. The endangered species that has been affected is the bog turtle. In 1974 the Fish and Boat Commission in Pennsylvania, under Section 2305 of the code has listed the bog turtle as an endangered species. The Fish and Wildlife under the 1973 Endangered Species Act has listed the bog turtle as a threatened species. This four inch turtle’s population has declined throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region. This is mainly due to poaching and loss of habitat.

The bog turtle prefers a wetland habitat and open marshy meadows in the South Central and Eastern Pa. valleys. The muck from the soils provides cover for the bog turtle during the spring and summer. In the middle of October and April the turtles use the same mucky soil to hibernate. Common plants that occupy these wetland areas include cabbage, sphagnum moss, and rushes. The need to protect this species and any other species are in high demand mainly due to the neglect and disregard of humans that occupy the ecosystem.

Humans are the cause for the increase in the Earth’s biogeochemical cycles. Humans have impacted the carbon cycle as well as doubling the natural global sulfur emissions into the atmosphere. The biochemical reactions are based on life on Earth and the reaction alters the oceans, crust, as well as the atmosphere. In order to preserve the ecosystem there needs to be an understanding on how humans live in it amongst the species and habitats. There are critical elements that need to be cycled and this should be the first order of business between life and the physical world.

Knowledge of the ecosystem’s