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Monday, January 4, 2010

Environmental issues in England

The main features of England’s ecosystem.

England’s ecosystem is not very diverse, this is similar to all islands around the world, being and island it is unlikely that the ecosystem will change mainly because of the area. Islands usually also have their own specific and unique biome, England is no exception though it does share the Island with Wales and Scotland as well. Though England’s ecosystem and biome are unique they are very similar to that of near by countries. Frances northern coast (Normandy) for example shares many similar qualities to that of England. Ireland and Wales also share most of England’s ecosystem, but Scotland though pretty close to England has a much different landscape, and though sharing most aspects of its neighbours ecosystem, does differ considerably in places. This is mainly due to the difference in temperature, climate and landscape; this causes the ecosystem to differ to adapt itself to these conditions.

England’s ecosystem is pretty luscious, with plenty of water, it’s a very fertile and green country, but due to the dense population this has been cut into by roads and cities.

Plant life in England

England’s plant life is very unique with a huge array of flora, trees, bushes, plants and flowers. Pines, oaks, elm and beech are probably the most common trees within England though there are hundreds more. Daffodils, primroses, daisies and roses are very common around England and holly and ivy are just as widespread. Due to the fertile land agricultural farming of fruit and vegetables are very common produce over England. For the same reason grass grows in huge amounts across the entire country, creating a velvety green landscape.

Animal life in England

Animal life in England is diverse, and has changed a lot over the years. This is mainly because of the the huge farming industry which was boosted by the import of foreign animals, such as the cow. This meant the eco system changed. Sheep were also imported and breed to produce what we have today. This made sheep and cattle the most common farm animals in England, shortly followed by the swine. The most common wild animals are the fox, pigeon, badger, mouse and rabbit, these are very common all over England, but there are also hundreds more rodents and small mammals such as the vole and the rat, which are just as common. The cat and dog are the most regular domestic animal all over the country.

Soils

Being a northern country England does experience rainfall on a frequent basis and though opposing to common belief there is sunshine. All in all this adds to a good fertile soil out of which plant life and greenery thrive. Some areas such as those near the peak district are too wet creating a rough, coarse, dull grass, this ground is really difficult to grow on and barren landscapes are left. There are patches of clay in some areas as well and though difficult to grow on it is possible. Though there is some bad soil around England, the majority is good and makes England into the green landscape it is today.

England’s climates

As says common belief over the world England has a very wet climate. This is because of the mountains (black mountains) down the coast of Wales which propel wind filled with particles of water over England. Here they form clouds and drop the water, or rain over the country. See the diagram below to get a more accurate idea of how it works.

The temperature in England is not high though nor is it below zero out of winter time. This is a good temperature for plant life, though it is a little chilly for people. The average temperature is about 26 degrees in the summer and 10 degrees in the winter. Though at its peak in the summer it can get really hot (35 degrees) and same for the winter, the temperature can get very cold (-5 degrees).

Human Impacts

Over the past hundred years we have experienced many great leaps in science. From the creation of the steam train, and the laying of rails and roads all across the country, to the development of mass production factories and cars, it appears we have certainly evolved a lot.

But though all this new technology may be enhancing our everyday lives, in the long run it is making or going to make life a lot worse. As you can see from the graph below the carbon dioxide level in the World is rising .Since the Industrial Revolution, carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have increased. This increase has rapidly accelerated during the past forty years. Carbon dioxide is emitted from most things when they are burnt. So now with the millions of cars on the road and huge factories burning fuel and pushing huge amounts of the gas into the atmosphere, we are really damaging ourselves. Carbon dioxide being a main cause of thousands of diseases, and the main threat to the o-zone layer (the barrier from the suns UV’s rays without which skin diseases are very likely).

Carbon dioxide, a waste product of all cells, needs to be constantly removed to avoid death.

This pollution problem in the long run will destroy lots of animal and plant life including our own. If you drive along a motorway you notice the dead areas with no plant life by the sides this if because of the excessive amount of CO2 being pumped out onto them. Imagine that but on a larger scale with more damaging effects, its like sucking on an exhaust pipe and waiting for the effects, that is generally what the world is doing to its self.

Not only that but we have also managed to drive some species to extinction though this blame falls on the entire world. The dodo for example and at the moment the tiger seems to be under pretty serious threat from our greedy hands. Also the new technology that we are testing on animals and genetically modified fruits and vegetables. I feel we have misplaced our position on this planet and are playing too much the “God” role.

Though we are slowly destroying the world we live in we have used some of its resources successfully. We have used the soil and grown produce to feed ourselves and have also attempted to create clean energy sources. Wind, hydro-electric and solar energy are all examples of this but so far we have not been able to modify these to use them efficiently enough. England has placed wind farms in higher regions of the country, but found that solar power did not work that efficiently due to the lack of sun on a constant basis. Hydro-electric power also was not put into action due to the lack of fast flowing rivers, but small generators that supply only a few number of houses have been set up.

England does not suffer from any huge environmental problems such as tornado’s or earthquakes, the most serious threat is only in the south west where flooding is quite a common problem, though it is not as serious as floods in other countries.

Conservation

Throughout England there are many of organisations whose soul purposes are to aid the environment and the life within it. Greenpeace for example works to save endangered animals and protect the environment from damage by human beings. They look particularly at the deforestation problems, and sea-life issues. Another organisation the WWF focuses directly on the problems with endangered animals, breeding them and protecting them from hunters and habitat demolition.

Around England there are a lot of national parks, with a main goal of protecting the environment and wildlife that they contain. The lake district for example is a national park, it looks after its lakes and natural animals and plants that live there. Without national parks these areas would not be as well kept condition as they are and would not keep up the wildlife they hold.

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