CLASSIFYING
ECOSYSTEM COMPONENTS
by
Antonio C. Antonio
May 27,
2014
There are
two key components in an ecosystem which are biotic and abiotic. Abiotic or non-living components are made of
chemicals and geophysical things like water, air, temperature and
precipitation. On the other hand, biotic
or living components include all living creatures like plants and animals. The basic difference between biotic and
abiotic components is life itself and the ability of biotic components to
grow. These biotic and abiotic
components, in varying degrees, interact and interrelate to each other. It is also widely believed that they cannot
stand alone without the other. This
makes it a daunting task to re-classify or re-group them if their importance
and linkage to one another is taken into consideration.
In my
mind, the most practical and purpose-focused way of grouping similar ecosystem
components should be on the basis of their contribution to human welfare. This may sound selfish but that is just how
things are… humans have managed to stay on top of the food chain because we
simply consider ourselves first before anything else. It will be a need-based approach. Classifying these ecosystems as (a)
critically needed, (b) needed, and (c) less needed. This classification can now be used in the
management of the ecosystem especially in the aspect of priority setting. As in any sound practice of management,
corresponding resources (financial, equipment, man hours, etc.) are first given
to the identified “critically needed” components before the “needed” and “less
needed” components (in their order of priority) are considered.
The
classifications “critically needed”, “needed” and “less needed” are just
nomenclature. More important to simple
wordplay (choosing descriptive words) or labelling is the process by which the
ecosystem components are actually classified and grouped together. Unfortunately, it may be a hard bargain for
me to even suggest a way of grouping or classifying similar ecosystem
components. Even experts argue on the
right procedure and methodology in getting this done. Ironically, experts also agree that
classifying ecosystems into ecologically homogenous units is the right
direction towards effective ecosystem management. However, classifying ecosystem components
even on the basis of their contribution to human welfare (as I suggested), will
be very hard since even the knowledgeable people have no single, agreed-upon
way to accomplish this.
Just my
little thoughts…
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