Land Use in Pinchot - Lab Report Example

Land Use in Pinchot Your First Your Submitted Introduction This study aims to show that a 50% or 75% deforestation of the area will result in an unsustainable biodiversity and ecosystem service. Data from the analysis will provide evidence for the need to preserve at least 75% of the Pinchot forest reserve.Methods A computer simulation model was used to determine the effect of 0%, 25%, 50% and 75% forest fragmentation on the four key species of the ecosystem in Pinchot. Local officials and some citizens of Pinchot were interviewed on the effect of forest fragmentation on the ecosystem services.

Results A 25% fragmentation resulted in a decrease in the population of the predator/prey ecosystem while the 50% and 75% fragmentation created a more distorted distribution of the species. This shows that the hypothesis should be accepted. It was observed that increasing fragmentation is directly proportional to the increase in abundance of the Spiny Firegrass (SFG) and Elk population. The wolf and bluebunch wheatflower (BBWF) population remained constant at 0% and 25% fragmentation and drastically dropped at 50% and 75% fragmentation.

The addition of the BBWF, elk and wolf created a more balanced ecosystem in the 0%, 25% and 50% fragmentation as affected by the hierarchy of the species in the trophic level (Moorecroft, n.d.). Discussion The increasing fragmentation caused the increase in the abundance of the SFG because of the increased amount of direct sunlight brought about by deforestation. The habitat has become more favorable for the SFG, while unfavorable for the wolf and BBWF which take shelter and protection from the forest.

Lindsey (2007) emphasized that deforestation directly makes the species depending on the forests vulnerable; and in this case, it will be the wolves and BBWF. The wolves can be considered the keystone species in the Pinchot ecosystem because the results obtained from the 75% fragmentation created a trophic cascade because there was a very small number of the higher level predator that will be able to control the number of the elks in the ecosystem (Moorecroft, n.d.). The observations gathered shows that the ecosystem is a top-down control of population dynamics.

Deforestation and urban sprawl has a direct impact on the food web because these two activities endanger the higher level predator, causing a trophic cascade in the ecosystem (Moorecroft, n.d.). Deforestation provides a better habitat for the proliferation of SFG, and urban sprawl drives away the wolves that live in the woods, causing the increase in the elk population, and consequently depleting the population of the BBWF. Aside from the trophic cascade that may occur at 50% and 75% fragmentation, flooding due to loss of watershed caused by deforestation will affect the lives of the people living in Pinchot.

Conclusion and Management Recommendation The 25% fragmentation proves to be the most suitable approach for the development of Pinchot, where its ecosystem will remain sustainable, and will not create negative impact on the lives of the people living in the town. Conservation of the Pinchot ecosystem will provide the town a watershed that will prevent floods, minimize the risk of fire brought about by the SFG and also decrease the damages that may be brought about by a trophic cascade.ReferencesLindsey, R. (2007). Tropical Deforestation.

Retrieved from http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/DeforestationMoorecroft, P.R. (n.d.) Ecosystems. In The Habitable Planet. Retrieved from http://www.learner.org