Ecosystem Management

The earth's life support system is supported by the existence of an ecosystem. Good ecosystem management will make or break the future of the environment. The extinction of just one bacterium, insect, animal or plant changes the whole system and puts the future of the human race into question. Forest fires and the destruction of forest products and plant life all contribute to the ruination of the earth's delicate ecosystem.

As humans, our survival is dependent on the survival of all plant and animal life around us, which requires ecosystem management. Insects and bacteria break down organic materials and turn it into food and fertilizer for plant life. Plants provide a number of benefits. Not only do they feed humans and animals, but they produce oxygen, which is necessary for humans and animals to live. Insects assist the plants in pollinating and in their reproduction, by spreading their seeds. Animals and humans return to the earth as organic material to be broken down by insects and bacteria. It is vitally important that this cycle of the ecosystem not be disturbed.

Humans are responsible for the destruction of millions of acres of forest land each year. Humans also destroy insects, animal habitats and plants with the use of insecticides and pesticides. One of the most important aspects of good ecosystem management is the medicinal value it provides us. A very large percentage of all prescription medications that are used in the United States have a natural base of bacteria, plants or animals. The balance that maintains the base currently in place on earth did not come about overnight. It took millions and millions of years, but it is taking far less time to destroy it. Unfortunately, some of the great progress that we have achieved, especially in the last 100 years, has played a part in destroying those ecosystems. We have done this with the building of recreational services and activities, agricultural progress and the simple clearing of lands, which we now know should be left alone. Some forms of life have evolved, while others are still in the state they were originally created in. Some life forms have faced extinction and won, while others are gone forever.

Life on earth would not have survived the evolutionary process without balance. However, extinction is still occurring every day. One species depends on another for survival. It doesn't matter the size of the plant or organism, they are all important and they play a very important part in the survival of each other. All species are dependent on another. In order for the cycle of life to continue, this balance has to be maintained. It is up to us, as a world community, to practice ecosystem management in order to maintain the balance and help the ecosystem survive.