Biodiversity and sustainability, two of the major factors to determine if an ecosystem is habitable and sufficient for any life form, may it be fauna, fawn or human kind. However, there are only a few sites left around the globe which can be considered sustainable and contains biodiversity as climate change continues to affect the planet. Some areas have become barren, while a few remained arable but in the risk of being converted into commercial lands for homes or businesses. In the United States, the problem of pollution not only affected its once diverse ecosystem, which is considered the home of many endangered species. While there are still ecosystems untouched by pollution, once pollution touches these lands, sustainability, balanced habitats, ,and biodiversity is poisoned by pollution, making recovery difficult to achieve.
Pollution’s impact to the ecosystem had raised several concerns as years progressed, especially in areas known to be high emission distributors. According to the assessment of the Environmental Defense Fund, continuous climate change due to carbon emissions or pollution causes biodiversity loss in the country’s water systems. Thousands of species now are at risk due to pollution, which affects their habitats and ecosystems. Pollution contaminates oceans, acidifying it and eliminating natural food sources. Almost 1/3 of the CO2 pollution from smokestacks and pipes are being absorbed by oceans, enabling the creation of carbonic acid. The increased acidity in bodies of water also eliminates vitamins and minerals in the ocean floor. Pollution also affects coral reefs as they are highly sensitive to any changes in water temperature and concentration. Heat triggers corals to shed algae, an important aspect in corals that contains nutrients and color. Once algae is shed, the coral becomes white, signifying that it no longer can sustain life. Since 1998, the world’s corals have already bleached or died out due to coral bleaching. As a direct result of coral bleaching and ocean acidity, marine life are now shifting their habitats to higher ground and changing their migration patterns. In case of freshwater, the US’ ecosystem has been bombarded by pollution through pipes coming from industries to other vessels. There had been high concentrations of mercury, organic contaminants like Polychlorinate biphenyls (PCBs), and Lead recorded in the country’s Great Lakes. As a direct result of these contaminants in these bodies of waters, it contaminates the Great Lakes, affecting its ecosystem. Pollutants now dominate the food chain, killing phytoplankton, protozoa and crustaceans. Predators are also at risk of pollutant residues, which may be deadly for humans if eaten. Health risks are also prominent due to water contamination, since bacteria can easily propagate in polluted waters .
Water quality is one of the major areas of concern when it comes to pollution’s impact to the ecosystem. Many areas in the US have reported concerns over the country’s declining water quality due to pollution in the ecosystem caused by human activity. Since the 1960s, many North American firms have showcased increasing damages in the ecosystem, especially in the water quality of many of America’s water systems. Many species no longer have access to clean water due to the constant contamination of water bodies. As an extension, however, the firms that have done limnological studies throughout North America to test water quality since the 1960s have garnered high public expenditures and added more impacts to the government. While the studies showed the impact of two major causes of pollution: eutrophication and acid deposition to America’s ecosystems, the studies proved to be a burden for the government and inefficient in explaining as to how these pollution problems caused degradation of the ecosystems. Therefore, with the high fees attached to studies and the inefficient data, the actions of the government towards water quality had been ineffective in orchestrating policies to help the ecosystem .
Forests are no longer capable of sustaining habitats due to the continuous tree cutting and high pollution concentration. Like water systems, America’s forests is now radiating biodiversity loss due to the continuous climate change and the on-going pollution happening throughout the country. Productivity of forests and plant life are affected by pollution as chemicals are deposited in the soil, contaminating the organism. Pollutant deposition had been stated by studies to be prominent in several of the US’ forests, such as in Michigan’s remaining forests. Due to pollutant deposition, vegetation and soil processes are altered, removing nutrients and increased content of lead, mercury, and sulfur to be deposited in plants. Increased temperature and length of growing seasons for plants also change the habitat of plant life, causing high microbial respiration and development .
Pollution also influences air quality and content, which impacts the ecosystem in the country. Pollutants such as nitrogen and sulfur enter plant stomata, which can affect sensitive species, especially plants. Both nitrogen and sulfur also causes ecosystem acidification and alternation of nutrient availability. Acidification happens when wet disposition via precipitation and dry deposition of gases of both nitrogen and sulfur merge, causing acid rains and nutrient imbalance. The excess deposition of both nitrogen and sulfur then embeds itself to the soil and food chain, thereby allowing it to be passed through wildlife and humans. Plant life also loses its capacity to undergo photosynthesis and grow to their full state. The same reduced growth is also experienced by the country’s wildlife as the air quality and content affects not just their food but also the air they breathe. Studies also show that high nitrogen and sulfur content is also affecting several sensitive ecosystems in the country, such as the Los Angeles basin (home to the lichen species), and Northeastern US watersheds (now influenced by high methylation). It is agreed by experts that the high concentrations of chemicals such as nitrogen and sulfur continuous to damage the country’s ecosystems despite the current policies on air quality . Since pollution would also trap in additional temperatures in the forests and ecosystems, it would increase the risk of drought in some areas. While trees are admittedly capable of withstanding several types of drought no matter how severe it is, according to studies, it may be possible that trees would not be able to sustain future droughts due to severe temperatures.
Studies have also stated that with biodiversity affected by pollution, it would ultimately lead to additional risks in the ecosystem that could reduce production of goods such as food, clean water and a manageable climate. Biodiversity loss due to pollution may be minor, but experts believe that it would reduce not just plant production but also the increased development of bacteria that may affect the food chain. With the loss of species in an area, it reduces plant growth by 5-10 percent and may cause additional environmental problems, such as the reduced capability of forests and bodies of water to sustain clean oxygen and water to humans, plants and animals. With reduced plant growth, there is also the reduced capacity of forests to sustain the high temperatures and provide cool air. The study even agreed that the reduced biodiversity is more severe than the overall impact of climate change to the country and to the world . Biodiversity is also affected by pollution since it would affect their body size due to high temperatures. As stated above, plants and animals in North America are now forced to move to high latitudes such as in the Midwest due to the high concentration of pollutants and high temperatures. Since habitats are now becoming less suitable for species, it influences their migration patterns and eating composition . In another study, it is noted that the major impact of pollution and global warming to ecosystems, especially in the United States, tears apart plant and animal communities which are normally living together to sustain sustainability in a region. It is likely that this separation would disassemble ecosystems and biological communities that would change the food chain and biotic interactions between species, some becoming extinct in the process. An example as to the changes in biotic interactions between species is the increased reports of insect outbreaks that are capable of defoliating and killing trees. A notable example to this is the increase in pine beetles throughout Colorado and Alaska, killing 4 million acres of land. The hemlock woolly adelgid, another known invasive species similar to pine beetles, have also extended their habitats through the northern areas. With the lack of defenses in forests and capacity of present plant life to fight off these species, incest outbreaks would continue to increase. Invasive plants are also an effect of pollution to the ecosystem as some of these invasive plants displaces native vegetation throughout the country .
Aside from the natural impacts of pollution in the ecosystem to animal and plant life, humans are also affected by the ongoing pollution in the country. First and foremost, the economy is also affected throughout the country especially in areas wherein nature is the primary source of income. There are certain areas in the US, such as in the Southwest and Mountain West, that depend on the sustainability of the environment to produce resources. With pollution contaminating water, air, and land; communities dependent on agricultural production – such as corn, wheat, and cotton- had to shift their production due to changes in habitat and production capacity. There are already areas wherein agricultural production have seized completely such as in the Northeast, major producers of maple syrup and cranberries. Tourism, and recreational activities are also affected by pollution in the ecosystem as areas would suffer due to increased pollution and temperature increase. Pollution would also increase prices for consumable water and food as bodies of water and plant and wildlife are now contaminated by pollutants. Goods such as food and nature-related items would have to be imported elsewhere, which increases the product cost. Pollution would also make it harder for humans to cope up with their environment, especially people from the impoverished sector, elderly and the youth .
With the changes happening in the country’s ecosystem, immediate action is required to sustain and protect the country’s ecosystem. The federal government and its environment-related institutions, alongside other related government organizations and institutions, are currently devising methods to find workable solutions to assist in recovering the ecosystem and the habitats of the United States. The United States Environmental Protection Agency had already enforced policies to reduce carbon pollution such as vehicle greenhouse gas rules that orders automobile companies to ensure that their vehicles can only emit a specific number of GHG upon use, and emissions monitoring. It also takes part in partnerships with private and public groups, especially with the U.S Global Change Research Program and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to conduct studies to reducing the impact of climate change and carbon pollution/emissions throughout the country. In small communities, the EPA launched the Climate Ready Estuaries and Climate Ready Water Utilities program to help groups maintain clean water in their areas . Policies, such as the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Air and Water Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act, and the establishment of environmental agencies such as the EPA have also been launched by the federal government to assist in protecting the country’s ecosystem and society. In case of the Endangered Species Act, the government had already amended the policy to include an ecosystem approach to allow establishment of programs to conserve wildlife, including those which have been considered threatened or endangered. The national government and state governments are powered by the Act to use funding for conservation and development of wildlife preserves and monitoring schemes to protect the ecosystem .
In a personal degree, while these policies and methods are indeed insightful when it comes to aiding the recovery of America’s ecosystems and habitats, it is crucial to introduce environmental programs directly in the sources of pollution, namely in communities and factories. While admittedly communities only contribute a few amounts of pollution, a house’s carbon print, if added to a larger concentration can contribute into a much powerful environmental impact. The government can introduce workable environmental solutions that even families could do in reducing pollution sent into the ecosystem. Activities such as recycling, proper waste management and utilization of alternative devices that produce less emissions and waste can aid in reducing pollution to foster. The use of renewable energies could also help in reducing pollution throughout the country. With regards to factories and other sources of pollution, it is prudent to utilize stringent laws that would opt factories and companies to follow all of the country’s environmental policies, especially the Clean Air and Water Acts, as a high concentration of pollution, whether through the air or through land/water, can cause a domino effect to the ecosystem. Similar to the assessment of the Ecological Society of America, the country must also enforce comprehensive strategies that would reduce contaminants and chemicals from affecting the ecosystem. Monitoring of chemical use and distribution would also aid in reducing pollution to the country . If all of these methods are devised carefully with just analysis and tests, it is possible that pollution can be reduced.
If the solutions and policies to protect the country’s ecosystem would not be uphold or implemented strongly by all actors, it is likely that the biodiversity and sustainability of the country’s ecosystem would gradually disintegrate. Several areas and events in the US now showcase the high impact of pollution and climate change to the country’s ecosystem. Analysts have also agreed that if pollution continues throughout the United States, the country can experience temperatures above 100F or 38C, making lands drier and inhabitable for biodiversity. The high and hot temperatures would not only affect the American people but also the plant and wild life in the ecosystem, making it harder to get food and comfortable shelter. According to the report of the National Climate Assessment, it provided that unless something is done with climate change and the subsequent nature which fosters the problem such as pollution and other environmental risk, weather patterns would become frequent and intense. It would also result to heat waves, heavy rain downpours and floods/drought, which can affect wildlife and humans. While the report is not due for adoption till 2014, the American government is now making plans to prevent the possible consequences of continuous pollution and impact of climate change to the country’s ecosystem. Nonetheless, certain areas in the United States are now experiencing heat waves such as in West Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. The effects of the massive heat puts a toll on both public health and infrastructure, influencing aging power plants and the concentration of pollution. In the case of Alaska, the report stated that the country is now experiencing heavy flooding, destroying infrastructure, farms, and forests . In addition, the melting Arctic ice regions are now causing massive population displacement, especially with wildlife . Almost 100 million Americans living in coastal areas have already been displaced due to the changes in sea levels, especially in areas such as Boston, Miami and New York. In 2009, the US Geological Survey had even issued a report that mid-Atlantic areas from New York to North Carolina would also be at risk due to sea level rise that may displace its population and destroy its environment .
The federal government had also reported that several species are now endangered or threatened due to the effects of pollution/global warming such as Arctic animals like polar bears, foxes and the caribou. Not only are they forced to migrate from their homes, they are also forced to lose their food and shelter sources. Species decline are also reported throughout Central and Northern America as temperature increases and diseases are now reported. Animals are now carrying viruses that can affect plant, animal and human life such as the Hantavirus, which can cause severe illnesses for any organism. Several outbreaks have been reported throughout the US since 1993 due to the Hantavirus brought by deer mice, causing several deaths to communities . The American economy is also affected by the ongoing problem on ecosystem pollution. In the assessment of the Natural Resources Defense Council, sales have dropped significantly due to the reduced number of marine life such as trout. In the assessment, the country had generated $45 billion in sales due to sport fishing of trout and aided several state economies. With global warming and pollution affecting bodies of water throughout the country, investors and businesses depending on marine life and fishing are now forced to close up as they no longer have the same amount of fishes to cater to sectors like tourism and outdoor sports .
With North America’s large country span and the diverse seasons it experiences each year, it played host to unique biodiversity which made the country the host of vast forests and its habitats for all kinds of species. However, with global warming through pollution affecting the entire country and its fellow nations, the once rich and diverse country is at the brink of destruction and irreplaceability. From land, water to air, biodiversity and sustainability is threatened with the high concentration of pollutants and chemicals that can reduce the capacity of nature to produce food, clean water, and regulate temperatures for habitats. While many would still find pollution a small threat to the ecosystem, the realities that it is already affecting the country’s ecosystem is visible. If people and the federal government do not pay heed to the policies implemented to promote pollution reduction and aid in reducing pollution, it is likely that the United States would continue to feel the effects of pollution in the environment. The current studies only show a small amount of what is now being affected by pollution, and if it continues, it is likely that the US would no longer be able to take pride on its position as a leader in environmental protection.
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