Case Study: Standing Bear Lake Ecosystem

Task #7
My ecosystem has been affected significantly by humans both positively and negatively. The positive impacts have led to increasing the diversity of species as well as attracting civilians. Throughout the recent years, different kinds of fish have been added to the lake. This has allowed the fish population as well as the lake diversity to increase significantly. The introduction of a new species to the lake provides many opportunities socially as well as environmentally. However, the fishing available at Standing Bear Lake could prove to be a problem in the future. Overfishing would endanger the balance of the species in the ecosystem. For instance, if civilians fish and take more than their limit for the day and this repeatedly occurs the population of certain species could significantly decrease causing alterations in food chains. Solutions for overfishing could be stricter rules and people to enforce them, more frequently. A very negative way humans have affected the lake is the pollution, in and around the lake. …show more content…
The dam suggests that the purpose of this area was to handle flood control. Creeks in the near area were out of control and the dam was their solution. The evidence strongly suggests my ecosystem is in the stages of secondary succession. After the flood control site was abandoned and no longer needed, the land prospered. Diverse amounts of trees, species, and plants thrived. Also to further enhance the environment, different kinds of fish were added to the lake. This attracted people for fishing as well as adding more variation to the species already present. Looking forward, many things could influence the lake and land. Harmful parasites could be accidentally brought over to the lake causing an outbreak. Many plants and animals could be in jeopardy, as well as lead to a severe decrease of some species