Introduction
The human population has been increasing its number throughout the years. On the other hand, the issue on the extinction of different endangered species of plants and animals has been contributing factors in the problem of sustainability. How does survival affect the ecological system as a whole?
Biodiversity connects all life forms on Earth. It consists different levels of the organization such as ecosystems, species, and genetic components. It has a complex variety of species and ecosystems on Earth along with the ecological systems which they are part of. Furthermore, it sustains the human well-being through the different ecosystem services. One of the services is the provisioning services which include food, fiber, fuel, biochemical, fresh water, habitat and genetic resource. Cultural services including spiritual values, knowledge systems, education, inspiration, recreation, and aesthetic values sustain human well-being too. The regulating services such as invasion resistance, seed dispersal, climate regulation, erosion regulation, water purification, and pest and disease regulation are also included in the different ecosystem services. Lastly, supporting services such as the primary product, provision habitat, nutrient cycling, soil formation, and water cycling are one of the amenities available (Vold and Buffett, 2008).
In order to give us a narrower scope of this discussion, the paper will only illustrate two species—the human and birds species, specifically, the Rhamphastidas or locally known as Toucans. This paper aims to:
1) characterize the ecological aspect of Rhamphastidas or Toucans;
2) discuss how humans affect the existence of such species and its ecological result, and 3) recommend practices that will protect the survival of Toucans.
Ecological characteristics Rhamphastidas or Toucans
Toucans or Rhamphastidas live in the Central and South American tropics. Their name came from the Topi Indians of Brazil, from its root name, “Tucano”. They are unique from other species of birds due to their physical attribute such as boat-shaped, colorful, and sharp-ended bill, which is the same as its body size but is very light-weighted. The color of the bill ranges from green, red, white, blue, yellow, black, or even combinations of the mentioned colors. They use it in tearing and eating different kinds of fruits. They have slim bodies with a short tail. They are known to be “Frugivores” which means that they like or prefer to eat fruits rather than other food preferences such as other animals (spider, lizard, snakes, and even nestling birds). The holes in trees serve as their homes in the forest. They were now said to be on the brink of extinction since they only lay eggs once a year. One of the important roles of Toucans, like other avian classes, is seed distribution (Neotropical Bird, n.d.; MT & PK Productions, n.d.).
Seed distribution will help in breeding of this endangered species in a place that is not yet occupied by other species. It would contribute to the survival of varied species that are mostly dependent on habitats such as trees and plants.
Human-induced activity that affects the ecological balance
The increasing population of human requires an increase in demand for the resources that are important for survival. However, such demands results to the destruction in the ecological balance. Many disturbances occurred such as urbanization of rural areas, illegal cutting of trees, catching of endangered animals such as Toucans, water extraction from the water table, and different types of pollution emitted from the industrial works of men (Vold & Buffett, 2008). The behavior of humans has left a great effect on the number of Toucans existing. Also, predation has affected their offspring due to the vulnerability to enemies such as the snakes, owls and cats. Deforestation led to the loss of habitat of the Toucans. The trade of wildlife such as the Toucan is also a human activity that has affected the number of existing Toucans. This illegal activity must be put to an end in order to prevent their extinction (Jomard, 2014).
Recommendation
Ecological management by conservation of the species and protection of their habitats are helpful in sustaining the ecological balance (Vold & Buffett, 2008). One way to monitor such proposal is to seek assistance from the different institutions of the states, especially its government. They must observe proper implementation of environmental policies such as illegal cutting of trees and illegal catching of endangered species. Strengthening the environmental activities and promotions plus support from different social advocacy groups will help in the preservation of the endangered species such as the Toucan.
References
Howe, H.F. & Miriti, M.N. (n.d). When seed dispersal matters. Retrieved from http://tigger.uic.edu/labs/howe/pdfs/HoweMiriti04.pdf
Jomard, A. (2014). What Natural Events & Human Behavior have Affect the Toucan. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/info_8514106_natural-human-behavior-affect-toucan.html
MT & PK Production. (n.d.). Animals of The Rainforest - Toucan. Retrieved from http://www.srl.caltech.edu/personnel/krubal/rainforest/Edit560s6/www/animals/toucanpage.html.
Neotropical birds. Retrieved from http://press.princeton.edu/chapters/s12_6179.pdf
Vold, T. & Buffett, D.A. (2008). Ecological Concepts, Principles, and Applications to Conservation. Biodiversity BC. Retrieved from http://www.biodiversitybc.org/assets/pressReleases/BBCPrinciplesWEB.pdf
