Section 3 Introduction
Completion requirements
Targets
At the end of this Unit you should be able to answer the following questions
3. What human actions affect wetland ecosystems?
3.1 How do changes in one environment affect other environments?
3.2 What human actions have positive effects or negative effects on wetland habitats?
Wetland ecosystems can be affected by various outside influences, including the behaviour of human beings. In this section, you will learn how a very small change in the biodiversity of an ecosystem can cause change in other ways. In addition, you will learn about how changes made by people can change or threaten the ecology of our wetlands. You will learn about attempts at conservation in our wetlands, intending to prevent endangered species from becoming extinct.
Video
This video explains why maintaining biodiversity is important to healthy food webs:
Food Chain and Food Web of Wetlands
Everyday Connection
Downtown Calgary is home to a constructed wetland called Prince's Island Park. It was designed to perform as a natural wetland does to help filter storm water. The park includes an interpretive trail that educates people about the importance of wetlands and how everyone can help reduce the amount of contaminants that enter the water system.