With reference to one major biome you have studied, evaluate the role of human activity in modifying its characteristics

The first 200 words of this essay...

With reference to one major biome you have studied, evaluate the role of human activity in modifying its characteristics.

A biome is a large scale or global ecosystem where biotic and abiotic elements interact with eachother producing a stable system that is in equilibrium. An example of this is the hot, wet equatorial climate where tropical rainforest is the dominant vegetation. Here the biotic elements such as the trees and animals for example sloths interact with the abiotic elements such as the poor soils and hot climate. The rainforest is millions of years old and remained undisrupted and in equilibrium for much of this time. However, as people exploit the rainforests resources, in particular its valuable trees, the equilibrium is changing. With trees being cut down at a rate of 40 hectares per minute how can it not?

Why are they needed?

Tropical rainforests cover over 7% of the earth's surface and play an important part in maintaining environmental and climatic stability. They help reduce soil erosion, prevent flooding and as the trees hold the soil together they stop a loss of nutrients from the soil. Due to the large percentage of land they cover they have