Ecosystem Structure Function and Change Research Paper

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Ecosystem Structure, Function and Change

Lake Tahoe is located in Sierra Nevada and is a freshwater lake over 1600 feet deep and one of the largest lakes in America. The lake is at the heart of a comprehensive ecosystem and home to a range of native species and contains a rich aquatic life. For example, the lake is home to redside dace, suckers and chub. "The ecosystem of the Lake Tahoe Basin has been dramatically altered since European settlers began to settle around the lake in the middle of the last century. Human disturbances, including introduced species, fire suppression, past overgrazing and logging, urbanization, roads, intensive recreational use, and air pollution, have affected not only the clarity of the lake, but the forest's ability to maintain the function, diversity, and resiliency of its components" (Tahoecam.com). Deforestation at the end of the 19th century, along with other issues such as drought, thinning and excessive rainfall, Lake Tahoe now has overcrowded and aged trees, yet with a 25% to 30% tree mortality which makes the danger of fires very severe (Tahoecam.

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com)

Generally when it comes to the quality of the water in the lake, human activities of the last 130 years have done the most damage yet have acted as the biggest impetus to restore the water quality (Tahoecam.com). Furthermore the rate of algal growth has quadrupled in Lake Tahoe since 1959: "This increase in growth is due to the excess nitrogen and phosphorus in the Lake. These two nutrients have become unnaturally abundant in the lake because of human caused (anthropogenic) disturbances. The primary anthropogenic sources are accelerated erosion, fertilizer use, car exhaust and urban runoff" (ucdavis.edu). Generally, human activities have caused a major issue in the ecological imbalance of the waters and life system of the lake. Furthermore, as of 2011, environmental researchers have discovered the presence of smallmouth bass, a highly aggressive type of fish in Lake Tahoe; this fish preys on native species and experts fear for the well being of the dace, suckers and chub (Fimrite, 2011).

The Lake Tahoe restoration act was created by advocates of the lake and….....

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