The ecosystem is a dynamic system created by the combination of living organisms and their environment. In an ecosystem, interactions between plants, animals, microorganisms, and their environment create a complex network. These interactions work in combination with biological cycles, food chains, and other activities that sustain the environment. Consider the ecology of a forest, which includes trees, fungus, mosses, birds, mammals, insects, and several other types of living organisms. These living organisms interact with one another by sharing food, shelter, and other resources. Other physical elements such as soil, water, climate, light, and others are also essential elements of the ecosystem.
Ecosystems that are sensitive are those that can be altered and disturbed easier than other ecosystems. These environments are frequently home to endemic species and locations with a diverse biological population.
The disruption of sensitive ecosystems can lead to the loss of species, habitat destruction, harm to water sources, erosion, and other environmental problems. For example, tropical rainforests are among the sensitive ecosystems. These ecosystems are formed due to heavy rainfall and high humidity and host thousands of plant and animal species. However, deforestation, agricultural land use, mining, and other human activities cause these ecosystems to rapidly disappear.
Sensitive ecosystems and ecosystems are concepts that share similarities in terms of natural environment and biological diversity but have some differences. Sensitive ecosystems are areas where human activities can disrupt natural balances or where ecosystem components show sensitivity to environmental factors. These areas can be damaged by natural disasters, human activities, climate change, and other environmental stressors. Therefore, sensitive ecosystems are more vulnerable and can be more easily damaged than other ecosystems. However, both concepts emphasize the importance of the natural environment and the necessity of preserving biological diversity.
Because these ecosystems offer a variety of ecological services essential for humans to survive, protecting sensitive ecosystems is of utmost importance. These include crucial services like food production, access to water, regulating the climate, and tourism.
Numerous sensitive ecosystems are abundant in rare and endemic species, as well as biological diversity. Therefore, it is essential for the sustainable use of natural resources that biological variety is preserved in these environments. Additionally, sensitive ecosystems might suffer economic, social, and environmental losses if they are destroyed or vanish because they are more vulnerable to human activity. For example, the destruction of mangrove forests can create vulnerability to erosion and other natural disasters in coastal areas.
As a result, protecting sensitive ecosystems is crucial for ensuring human access to natural resources and sustainable development. The preservation of these ecosystems will allow future generations to benefit from these resources and maintain the functionality of the natural environment.
Increasing the protection of conservation areas:
A proposed solution for the protection of sensitive ecosystems is to increase the number of protected areas. These areas are specifically designed to maintain the natural balance of sensitive ecosystems and minimize human impact. These areas can be created by identifying areas of ecological importance that need protection and can have different levels of protection at different scales. Protected areas such as national parks, natural conservation areas, restricted access areas, and biodiversity conservation areas can be established to increase the protection of sensitive ecosystems. By increasing the number of protected areas, it is possible to preserve the characteristics and biodiversity of these ecosystems while minimizing the damage caused by human activities. These areas can enhance biodiversity, protect water sources, play a significant role in combating climate change, and provide economic opportunities for local communities.
Consciousness-raising activities:
To protect sensitive ecosystems, awareness-raising activities are crucial because people cannot make the right decisions without being aware of the need to preserve these areas. Some activities that can be implemented to raise awareness among people to protect sensitive ecosystems include:
- Education programs: Education programs provide information on the importance of sensitive ecosystems and what can be done to protect them, particularly targeting younger generations.
- Business commitments: Businesses can take certain practices to protect sensitive ecosystems. These practices may include adopting environmentally friendly methods, waste management and recycling, supporting local economies, and providing financial support for conservation efforts.
Fighting climate change:
Climate change is one of the most significant factors that adversely affect sensitive ecosystems. The increased temperature, drought, rising sea levels, and other environmental factors caused by climate change can disrupt the structure and functionality of sensitive ecosystems. Therefore, combating climate change is also an important factor in the conservation of sensitive ecosystems. Some measures that can be taken against climate change include reducing the use of fossil fuels, preserving forests, implementing sustainable agricultural practices, and promoting energy efficiency.
Participation of local people:
Without the involvement of local people, it will be impossible to properly maintain sensitive ecosystems. The effectiveness of these procedures depends on the active participation of local communities in ecosystem management and protection. The protection of the natural habitats of the animals and plants that live there, the continuation of activities like fishing and hunting, and the development of new economic prospects are all dependent on the ecosystems that local populations depend on. However, for the sustainable use of natural resources and the preservation of ecosystems, these activities must be managed properly. Local communities can maintain the benefits of natural resources in the future by actively participating in the conservation of sensitive ecosystems. This guarantees that these ecosystems are passed on to future generations. An effective conservation strategy for sensitive ecosystems must also include the involvement of local communities.
The sustainability of tourism activities:
Tourism can play an important role in the conservation of sensitive ecosystems. However, tourism-related activities can also have a negative impact on ecosystems and raise environmental stress levels. To preserve sensitive ecosystems, tourism activities must be managed sustainably. The sustainability of tourism activities can be achieved by preserving natural and cultural resources, minimizing the effects resulting from tourists visiting the region, and promoting local economic development. Some of the steps that can be taken in line with the goal of protecting fragile ecosystems are:
- Environmental certification: Environmental certification practices can be used to ensure the sustainability of tourism businesses. These practices enable tourism businesses to minimize their environmental impacts and protect natural resources.
- Planning of tourism activities: The environmental, social, and economic impacts of tourism activities must be evaluated, and these impacts need to be minimized. The boundaries of tourism activities should be determined by considering the capacity of natural resources in the area, and entry and exit to protected areas should be controlled.
