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Impact: Marine Debris, Part II

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An example of an ecosystem. Learning Indirect Environmental Impacts After reading our blog last week, you should have learned some direct environmental impacts of garbage and waste in the eco-system. This week, learn about two "Indirect Environmental Impacts" of debris on the eco-system: Ecosystem Alteration : Anytime garbage or waste finds its way into the ocean or any landscape, the surrounding eco-system is altered.  Animal and plant life are harmed an displaced as a result, but the effects don't end there.  Even the effort to REMOVE debris can cause indirect negative impacts.  The process of "beach raking" uses heavy machinery to remove garbage from beaches which in turn negatively harms the ecosystem.   Invasive Species : Clearly, garbage and waste in the ecosystem is harmful.  But not only is the actual garbage dangerous, but often this debris contains thousands of micro-organisms and invasive species.  In a marine eco-system, the invasive species act...

Impact: Marine Debris, Part I

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The Importance of Living an Eco-Friendly Life If you are interested in living a green life, you are most likely aware of the dangerous effects of trash and waste on the environment. Learn about some "Direct Environmental Impacts" of debris on the eco-system below: Ingestion : A dangerous impact of waste in the environment is that animals might mistake the trash for food.  Clearly, ingesting any waste is dangerous and can cause adverse health effects, infertilization, and death to the animals.   Entanglement : This is often cited as the most-recognized  Environmental Impact of waste and debris in the marine ecosystem.  With so much waste in the ocean, fish, turtles, and other animals can become entangled in rope, plastic bags, netting, etc.  Not only can this physically exhaust and distress the animal, but they can develop wounds and infections from entanglement. Ecosystem Alteration : Debris and waste not only impacts animals: the surrounding eco-system suffers....