Invasive Species and the effects of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
A specific environmental issue I would like to learn more about is the impacts of invasive species, more specifically that of the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). I have spent a lot of time down in the Hocking Hills in southeastern Ohio, and I had heard that the invasive adelgid was threatening the local hemlock population there. The eastern hemlock is a very abundant tree among the eastern seaboard of the United State. It is considered a foundation species for certain ecosystems that it is present in, essentially meaning that the hemlocks play a large role in how the environment is shaped by having a disproportionate amount of influence on its surrounding area (Adkins and Rieske). …show more content…
And this problem is extenuated because of the importance the hemlock species has due to its designation as a foundation species. This damage will affect the health of the ecosystem in question, while also impacting the long term makeup of them if the damage continues and causes the extinction of the hemlock tree. This will largely impact only those human, animal and plant populations in those areas affected, but it can also indirectly affect others that may be some sort of stakeholder in that area. While some may argue that Americans should not care about this issue because it is only a regional issue that affects certain ecosystems, there are in actuality plenty of reasons to care about this. First and foremost is the damage this pest can cause to those ecosystems may have long term consequences on the health of those ecosystems, which in turn can affect a wide array of factors such as: tourism in the areas, timber production, changes in seasonal water fluctuations without it’s high transpiration rate, or other animal and plant populations could be negatively affected by the loss of the hemlock. And more broadly, Americans should care about this issue because it is indicative of a very important environmental issue that is invasive species. Other invasive species such as the Emerald Ash Borer or Asian Carp are having similar effects on other native species in an ecosystem not equipped to deal with these aggressive invaders. Invasive species are a completely preventable issue that can have long term implications on the processes and health of ecosystems, which not only affects animals and plants but also human
A specific environmental issue I would like to learn more about is the impacts of invasive species, more specifically that of the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). I have spent a lot of time down in the Hocking Hills in southeastern Ohio, and I had heard that the invasive adelgid was threatening the local hemlock population there. The eastern hemlock is a very abundant tree among the eastern seaboard of the United State. It is considered a foundation species for certain ecosystems that it is present in, essentially meaning that the hemlocks play a large role in how the environment is shaped by having a disproportionate amount of influence on its surrounding area (Adkins and Rieske). …show more content…
And this problem is extenuated because of the importance the hemlock species has due to its designation as a foundation species. This damage will affect the health of the ecosystem in question, while also impacting the long term makeup of them if the damage continues and causes the extinction of the hemlock tree. This will largely impact only those human, animal and plant populations in those areas affected, but it can also indirectly affect others that may be some sort of stakeholder in that area. While some may argue that Americans should not care about this issue because it is only a regional issue that affects certain ecosystems, there are in actuality plenty of reasons to care about this. First and foremost is the damage this pest can cause to those ecosystems may have long term consequences on the health of those ecosystems, which in turn can affect a wide array of factors such as: tourism in the areas, timber production, changes in seasonal water fluctuations without it’s high transpiration rate, or other animal and plant populations could be negatively affected by the loss of the hemlock. And more broadly, Americans should care about this issue because it is indicative of a very important environmental issue that is invasive species. Other invasive species such as the Emerald Ash Borer or Asian Carp are having similar effects on other native species in an ecosystem not equipped to deal with these aggressive invaders. Invasive species are a completely preventable issue that can have long term implications on the processes and health of ecosystems, which not only affects animals and plants but also human