Discussion
Relationships between the abiotic and biotic factors of the ecosystem:
The many organisms within the mangrove ecosystem at Home Bush work together to function and rely on one another for various resources such as energy which flows through the food chain of the ecosystem moving through the biomass of the biological community.
Mutualism-
Definition: The relationship between two organisms where both creatures benefit.
Example at home bush mangroves: Lichen -A lichen is a synthesised organism that emerges from algae living amid fungus in a mutually beneficial relationship. The algae provides the fungi with food through the process of photosynthesis and in return receives water and minerals as well as shelter which is a necessity for it to grow.
Allelopathy-
Definition: The production of chemicals by a plant that are released into the soil to assist competition with other plants.
Example at home bush mangroves: Casuarina - Casuarina drop their needles and the leaf litter surrounding the base of the tree inhibiting the growth of competing organisms because the soil is contaminated with the toxins found in the roots, stems, leaves, fruits, or seeds of the casuarina plant.
Commensalism-
Definition: The relationship between organisms that live in close association with only one species receiving the benefit, whilst the other species is not harmed.
Example at home bush mangroves: Algae on pneumatophores- Algae grows on pneumatophores assisting their growth and the algae benefits as it is able to grow on a stable surface and consequently wont be washed away during tidal inundation, Algae lives as epiphytes on the pneumatophores.
Parasitism-
Definition: The relationship where one organism obtains nutrients from another (host) by ling on or within it and without providing any benefits to the host.
Example at home bush mangroves: Mosquitos- Mosquitos withdraw blood from birds or small mammals taking the nutrients from the hosts blood to provide to their young. The bite of a mosquito commonly causes irritation to the host and can in some cases spread diseases. These parasites are also referred to as pathogens.
Compare and contrast the similarities and Differences in adaptions for the organisms in the ecosystem:
An adaptation, is a feature of an organism that makes it suited to its environment helping it to survive and reproduce. When studying an organism, it can be beneficial to first study its environment and the characteristics of it, such as; The availability of water, temperatures, diet and movement and predators. Adaptions can also be described as inherited characteristics that are the result of natural selection.
It was evident through the studies conducted at Home Bush that there are both similarities and differences between the adaptions pertaining to the different organisms found within the ecosystem. Evidently it is clear that due to the highly saline conditions encountered at Home Bush many organisms have had to adapt in order to survive.
An example of the similarities between salinity adaptations include the salt excluding devices of the mangrove roots and the alternation of snail that allow them both to survive in the salty estuarine environments. Additionally there are similarities between the pneumatophores and the mangrove crab adaptations to tidal influence. The height of pneumatophores increases as the proximity to the river increases allowing them to continue the process of gaseous exchange throughout the period of high tide. The mangrove crab is able to climb into the high foliage of the trees allowing them to also escape the tidal influence of the estuary. However there are also differences in the adaptations of different animals within the mangrove ecosystem. Whilst the mangroves crabs have adapted to having an internal food source, the grey mangroves need to first obtain their food but have adapted to retain it over sustained periods of time. The similarities between these organisms relate to food however the differences pertain to the period of time the organism is able to sustain oneself in the saline environments of the estuary without a constant food source. Due to the salinity of the water at the bicentennial park mangroves, the grey mangrove has adapted to retain water which includes changing the positioning of their leaves whilst the sun is at its peak in order to prevent a larger surface area being heated, which consequently prevents water loss through evaporation. This adaptation allows the grey mangrove to have constant excess to fresh water even whilst inundated by saline water. The mangrove crab similarly has water retaining devices that are implemented when the tide is low and no water is able to pass through its gills. It is consequently evident that there are both similarities and differences relation to the adaptions of the different organisms at the bicentennial park mangroves.
The many organisms within the mangrove ecosystem at Home Bush work together to function and rely on one another for various resources such as energy which flows through the food chain of the ecosystem moving through the biomass of the biological community.
Mutualism-
Definition: The relationship between two organisms where both creatures benefit.
Example at home bush mangroves: Lichen -A lichen is a synthesised organism that emerges from algae living amid fungus in a mutually beneficial relationship. The algae provides the fungi with food through the process of photosynthesis and in return receives water and minerals as well as shelter which is a necessity for it to grow.
Allelopathy-
Definition: The production of chemicals by a plant that are released into the soil to assist competition with other plants.
Example at home bush mangroves: Casuarina - Casuarina drop their needles and the leaf litter surrounding the base of the tree inhibiting the growth of competing organisms because the soil is contaminated with the toxins found in the roots, stems, leaves, fruits, or seeds of the casuarina plant.
Commensalism-
Definition: The relationship between organisms that live in close association with only one species receiving the benefit, whilst the other species is not harmed.
Example at home bush mangroves: Algae on pneumatophores- Algae grows on pneumatophores assisting their growth and the algae benefits as it is able to grow on a stable surface and consequently wont be washed away during tidal inundation, Algae lives as epiphytes on the pneumatophores.
Parasitism-
Definition: The relationship where one organism obtains nutrients from another (host) by ling on or within it and without providing any benefits to the host.
Example at home bush mangroves: Mosquitos- Mosquitos withdraw blood from birds or small mammals taking the nutrients from the hosts blood to provide to their young. The bite of a mosquito commonly causes irritation to the host and can in some cases spread diseases. These parasites are also referred to as pathogens.
Compare and contrast the similarities and Differences in adaptions for the organisms in the ecosystem:
An adaptation, is a feature of an organism that makes it suited to its environment helping it to survive and reproduce. When studying an organism, it can be beneficial to first study its environment and the characteristics of it, such as; The availability of water, temperatures, diet and movement and predators. Adaptions can also be described as inherited characteristics that are the result of natural selection.
It was evident through the studies conducted at Home Bush that there are both similarities and differences between the adaptions pertaining to the different organisms found within the ecosystem. Evidently it is clear that due to the highly saline conditions encountered at Home Bush many organisms have had to adapt in order to survive.
An example of the similarities between salinity adaptations include the salt excluding devices of the mangrove roots and the alternation of snail that allow them both to survive in the salty estuarine environments. Additionally there are similarities between the pneumatophores and the mangrove crab adaptations to tidal influence. The height of pneumatophores increases as the proximity to the river increases allowing them to continue the process of gaseous exchange throughout the period of high tide. The mangrove crab is able to climb into the high foliage of the trees allowing them to also escape the tidal influence of the estuary. However there are also differences in the adaptations of different animals within the mangrove ecosystem. Whilst the mangroves crabs have adapted to having an internal food source, the grey mangroves need to first obtain their food but have adapted to retain it over sustained periods of time. The similarities between these organisms relate to food however the differences pertain to the period of time the organism is able to sustain oneself in the saline environments of the estuary without a constant food source. Due to the salinity of the water at the bicentennial park mangroves, the grey mangrove has adapted to retain water which includes changing the positioning of their leaves whilst the sun is at its peak in order to prevent a larger surface area being heated, which consequently prevents water loss through evaporation. This adaptation allows the grey mangrove to have constant excess to fresh water even whilst inundated by saline water. The mangrove crab similarly has water retaining devices that are implemented when the tide is low and no water is able to pass through its gills. It is consequently evident that there are both similarities and differences relation to the adaptions of the different organisms at the bicentennial park mangroves.
Producers and consumers:
Decomposers such as bacteria and fungi break down and recycle organic material within an ecosystem and returns nutrients to the soil that are the basic needs for plants in order for them to survive and produce oxygen needed for us to breathe through photosynthesis.
Decomposer lifecycle - Fungi breaks down the soil and removes what it needs from it --> Releases the nutrients back into the soil --> Plants/ trees absorb these nutrients through their roots and utilise them to grow.
Scavengers such as maggots, crabs and worms eat the dead and/or decaying plant and animal matter. Scavengers benefit the ecosystem in which the live because they assist in rapidly breaking down the dead plant and animals matter to smaller components. This is advantageous for the ecosystem because the prevent the excessive accumulation of the biomass of dead matter, which can otherwise be hazardous to the living components within an organism because they encourage the survival of harmful pathogens. Detrital feeders consume the waste products of other animals found within the environment. Detrital feeders contribute beneficially to the decomposition and nutrient cycles. Producers are plants that produce their own food. This is done by using the light energy produced by the sun, carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil to produce energy in the form of glucose and oxygen. This process is called photosynthesis. Producers can be described as autotrophs or autotrophic because they produce their own food and do not rely on other organisms within the ecosystem to obtain their energy.
Consumers are organisms that obtain their energy by consuming other organisms. Consumers are commonly described as heterotrophs because they are unable to produce there own food.
Human impacts:
For decades the bicentennial park region has been altered and renewed, the clearing of mangrove forests, pollution of the river and increased estuary sediment have all contributed to a steadily downgrading environment. The initial aboriginal inhabitants used the Home Bush bay location for natural resources which they used in a sustainable way only taking what they needed, they aboriginal left little or no significant impact on the mangrove ecosystem. However the European settlement had a great effect on the Home Bush mangroves as they started to use the land in an unsustainable way.
The Europeans used the bicentennial park region mainly for agricultural reasons. Subsequently, salt pans were established at the Home Bush region. The Home Bush mangrove ecosystem is now surrounded by infrastructure and roads. The most significant infrastructure that effects the Home Bush mangroves is ANZ stadium which was previously used to host the 2000 Sydney olympic games. Due to the fact that the Home Bush mangroves are located at a downgrading slope to its surroundings, the pollution that is left behind is washed into the mangrove ecosystem by rain, wind and other forces. A preventative technique which has been implemented by the council are the floating pollution booms which prevent the debris that has swept of blown into the mangrove regions from entering Parramatta river. This debris is caught in the floating booms includes plastic bags and bottles and can be physically removed from the boom following a short period of time. This effectively prevents the further pollution of Parramatta river. This effects the ecosystem because they are foreign objects that did not break down easily. An example of such pollution is the dioxin produced by the union carbon that was leaked into Parramatta river from a battery factory at Home bush bay.
The dictionary definition of dioxin is; "A highly toxic compound produced as a by-product in some manufacturing processes.It is a serious and persistent environmental pollutant." It is evident that this material is detrimental to the environment because it is so toxic, as a result of this contaminant in Parramatta river fishing is prohibited. Test results on the river revealed excessive levels of dioxins in the fish and other organisms in parramatta river and the connected estuaries. A ban was consequently placed on commercial fishing in 2006 to prevent diseases from the consumption of such organisms. Recreational fishing is not prohibited however there are recommendations as to how much of the produce obtained from the river should be consumed if desired (no more than 150 grams per month), otherwise it is suggested that anything caught in Parramatta river should be released.
Abattoirs have also had a negative effect on the Home Bush bay ecosystem by leaving behind organic waste in the river that polluted the river. The introduction of alien species at the Home Bush mangroves such as foxes, rabbits, sheep, cattle, pigs have changed the energy flows and nutrient cycles of the pre-existing organisms. Following the European settlement the abundance of the little tern in particular was diminished following the introduction of increased numbers of domestic or feral cats and dogs, which hunted the little terns decreasing their overall population size. Additionally the black rats that were introduced from the European ships competed with the native bush and water rats within the mangrove ecosystem. Competition for resources such as food, shelter and territory displaced the native animals as a result of introduced species.
The Home Bush mangrove ecosystem is now surrounded by infrastructure and roads and due to the fact that the home Bush mangroves are located at a downgrading slope to its surroundings, the pollution that is left behind is washed into the mangrove ecosystem by rain, wind and other forces. This effects the ecosystem because they are foreign objects that do not break down easily.
Decomposers such as bacteria and fungi break down and recycle organic material within an ecosystem and returns nutrients to the soil that are the basic needs for plants in order for them to survive and produce oxygen needed for us to breathe through photosynthesis.
Decomposer lifecycle - Fungi breaks down the soil and removes what it needs from it --> Releases the nutrients back into the soil --> Plants/ trees absorb these nutrients through their roots and utilise them to grow.
Scavengers such as maggots, crabs and worms eat the dead and/or decaying plant and animal matter. Scavengers benefit the ecosystem in which the live because they assist in rapidly breaking down the dead plant and animals matter to smaller components. This is advantageous for the ecosystem because the prevent the excessive accumulation of the biomass of dead matter, which can otherwise be hazardous to the living components within an organism because they encourage the survival of harmful pathogens. Detrital feeders consume the waste products of other animals found within the environment. Detrital feeders contribute beneficially to the decomposition and nutrient cycles. Producers are plants that produce their own food. This is done by using the light energy produced by the sun, carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil to produce energy in the form of glucose and oxygen. This process is called photosynthesis. Producers can be described as autotrophs or autotrophic because they produce their own food and do not rely on other organisms within the ecosystem to obtain their energy.
Consumers are organisms that obtain their energy by consuming other organisms. Consumers are commonly described as heterotrophs because they are unable to produce there own food.
Human impacts:
For decades the bicentennial park region has been altered and renewed, the clearing of mangrove forests, pollution of the river and increased estuary sediment have all contributed to a steadily downgrading environment. The initial aboriginal inhabitants used the Home Bush bay location for natural resources which they used in a sustainable way only taking what they needed, they aboriginal left little or no significant impact on the mangrove ecosystem. However the European settlement had a great effect on the Home Bush mangroves as they started to use the land in an unsustainable way.
The Europeans used the bicentennial park region mainly for agricultural reasons. Subsequently, salt pans were established at the Home Bush region. The Home Bush mangrove ecosystem is now surrounded by infrastructure and roads. The most significant infrastructure that effects the Home Bush mangroves is ANZ stadium which was previously used to host the 2000 Sydney olympic games. Due to the fact that the Home Bush mangroves are located at a downgrading slope to its surroundings, the pollution that is left behind is washed into the mangrove ecosystem by rain, wind and other forces. A preventative technique which has been implemented by the council are the floating pollution booms which prevent the debris that has swept of blown into the mangrove regions from entering Parramatta river. This debris is caught in the floating booms includes plastic bags and bottles and can be physically removed from the boom following a short period of time. This effectively prevents the further pollution of Parramatta river. This effects the ecosystem because they are foreign objects that did not break down easily. An example of such pollution is the dioxin produced by the union carbon that was leaked into Parramatta river from a battery factory at Home bush bay.
The dictionary definition of dioxin is; "A highly toxic compound produced as a by-product in some manufacturing processes.It is a serious and persistent environmental pollutant." It is evident that this material is detrimental to the environment because it is so toxic, as a result of this contaminant in Parramatta river fishing is prohibited. Test results on the river revealed excessive levels of dioxins in the fish and other organisms in parramatta river and the connected estuaries. A ban was consequently placed on commercial fishing in 2006 to prevent diseases from the consumption of such organisms. Recreational fishing is not prohibited however there are recommendations as to how much of the produce obtained from the river should be consumed if desired (no more than 150 grams per month), otherwise it is suggested that anything caught in Parramatta river should be released.
Abattoirs have also had a negative effect on the Home Bush bay ecosystem by leaving behind organic waste in the river that polluted the river. The introduction of alien species at the Home Bush mangroves such as foxes, rabbits, sheep, cattle, pigs have changed the energy flows and nutrient cycles of the pre-existing organisms. Following the European settlement the abundance of the little tern in particular was diminished following the introduction of increased numbers of domestic or feral cats and dogs, which hunted the little terns decreasing their overall population size. Additionally the black rats that were introduced from the European ships competed with the native bush and water rats within the mangrove ecosystem. Competition for resources such as food, shelter and territory displaced the native animals as a result of introduced species.
The Home Bush mangrove ecosystem is now surrounded by infrastructure and roads and due to the fact that the home Bush mangroves are located at a downgrading slope to its surroundings, the pollution that is left behind is washed into the mangrove ecosystem by rain, wind and other forces. This effects the ecosystem because they are foreign objects that do not break down easily.