Analyse the impact of humans on a biome of your choice.
Humans are significantly impacting grassland biomes. There are two types of grasslands - temperate and tropical. Temperate grasslands are vast plains of country with grasses being the dominant vegetation. The prevailing weather has distinct seasonal variations between hot summers and cold winters with moderate rainfall. This biome exists north of the Tropic of Cancer and south of the Tropic of Capricorn. Conversely, tropical grasslands grow near the equator between the two tropics. The climate in this location is characterised by seasonal heavy rainfall with a constant temperature all year round. Grassland ecosystems are being altered as a result of human activity both negatively and positively. Unsustainable cultivation and overgrazing is significantly impacting soil fertility and the food web. However, the negative impacts of humans are being ameliorated by the constructive restoration work. …show more content…
Grasslands nutrient rich soil is ideal land for farming, however, cultivation by humans has lead to deficient soil health. Farming land reduces soil structure making it more susceptible to erosion. Consequently, topsoil is lost which is highest in organic matter and fertility. Additionally, a soil’s ability to regenerate natural vegetation is hindered as nutrients are essential for plants regrowth. In Southwest China's Sichuan Province, 10 thousand hectares of grassland has become desert as a result of erosion. “Human activity is the main cause of desertification” (Zhiling, 2005). Desertification is the process of fertile land becoming a desert. The human habit of overgrazing is another contributor to
Humans are significantly impacting grassland biomes. There are two types of grasslands - temperate and tropical. Temperate grasslands are vast plains of country with grasses being the dominant vegetation. The prevailing weather has distinct seasonal variations between hot summers and cold winters with moderate rainfall. This biome exists north of the Tropic of Cancer and south of the Tropic of Capricorn. Conversely, tropical grasslands grow near the equator between the two tropics. The climate in this location is characterised by seasonal heavy rainfall with a constant temperature all year round. Grassland ecosystems are being altered as a result of human activity both negatively and positively. Unsustainable cultivation and overgrazing is significantly impacting soil fertility and the food web. However, the negative impacts of humans are being ameliorated by the constructive restoration work. …show more content…
Grasslands nutrient rich soil is ideal land for farming, however, cultivation by humans has lead to deficient soil health. Farming land reduces soil structure making it more susceptible to erosion. Consequently, topsoil is lost which is highest in organic matter and fertility. Additionally, a soil’s ability to regenerate natural vegetation is hindered as nutrients are essential for plants regrowth. In Southwest China's Sichuan Province, 10 thousand hectares of grassland has become desert as a result of erosion. “Human activity is the main cause of desertification” (Zhiling, 2005). Desertification is the process of fertile land becoming a desert. The human habit of overgrazing is another contributor to