Human Intervention
Risks of Human InterventionThe acts of humans are greatly endangering the amazing and complex ecosystem that is the African rainforest. Actions such as logging/deforestation, overhunting/poaching, and urban expansion are big issues that affect this ecosystem and its biodiversity.
African rainforests are home to the great gorillas, a species important to us not only for its addition to the ecosystem's biodiversity but for the information it can provide us on the evolution of modern humans. This is because gorillas are the third closest related species to humans, with only a difference of 1.4% in our DNAs. This species is in danger due to habitat destruction through: deforestation, logging, mining, charcoal production and agriculture expansion. Also, any violence from a human towards another human near their habitat can harm the gorillas if they are accidentally injured in the conflict. Many organisms in the African rainforest are herbivores who rely on the fruits, leaves, stems, etc. provided by trees and other plant life. Without these plants, the food chain would be greatly disturbed resulting in many organisms losing their source of food. Deforestation is also closely linked to poaching and the bushmeat industry, due to the fact that deforestation opens up parts of the rainforest otherwise inaccessible. This is a great concern for the gorillas in particular, due to the fact that their niches are often the ones uncovered during deforestation. Cell phone production and disposal is also another human act that negatively affects this rainforest. Coltan is a product found in many cell phones, and 60% of the world's coltan is mined in the rainforest. Cell phones are widely used worldwide, and as the demand for cell phones increases, the demand for coltan increases as well. By throwing away the cell phones, the need for more coltan increases yet we can reduce this need by recycling old cell phones. |
Benefits of Human InterventionAlthough humans are greatly endangering this ecosystem, they are also trying to save it. The African rainforest is an important ecosystem due to the fact that it helps regulate our weather worldwide and that it is home to a very diverse group of organisms. Humans understand the importance of the rainforest and the biodiversity and so, they have made many programs and organisations that strive to protect such ecosystems.
The Toronto Zoo itself takes initiative when it comes to saving the African rainforest. It has programs that allow you to adopt an animal, and there are many programs that conserve areas where the important inhabitants of this habitat live. Recycling is also a great way humans help with the conservation of these habitats, since it reduces the need to exploit resources from the rainforest. Countries in Africa also have laws that protect gorillas and other animals in the rainforest from being poached or taken as bushmeat. Organisations that protect the rainforest are CITES (Conventions on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna) and IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). Although CO2 is a greenhouse gas and is usually associated with negative effects on the planet, it is also beneficial to rainforests due to the fact that carbon dioxide emissions stimulate the many trees there to grow. This is because, the more CO2 there is, the more the trees photosynthesise and grow. |