How do tornadoes affect ecosystems?
Contents Page • • • • • •
Introduction The Aftermath of a Tornado Water Contamination Fires Soil Contamination Conclusion
The aftermath of a tornado is pure destruction. It kills animals which affect the food chain. Animals can kill other animals because they need the food to survive because they need energy to live or else they die. Tornadoes can destroy farms so there is no food to survive. After tornadoes there could also be water and soil contamination. There may be chemicals in objects that get destroyed and then melt in water and soil, then they release a chemical into the water and that makes the water contaminated. Lastly, tornadoes can cause fires because of the gas and power lines that fall and can create a fire.
Introduction
Water Contamination Water contamination is when a chemical/ unnatural water gets mixed up with natural water and then people drink that water. They can become very sick and the worst case is that they may die. Aquatic animals would not manage to breath in that water and they would also have a good chance of dying and then a huge chunk of animals would be endangered. Animals that are young would also die because they are very sensitive to the smells of chemicals.
Fires that are caused by a tornado could be very dangerous for animals and human beings. Gas and power lines can fall and can create a fire. Fires can burn down homes for animals and then the animals have no shelter to survive. Fire releases carbon dioxide which is a huge problem to the younger animals because they are also very sensitive to pollution and they get very sick or die. Fires burn down places and then human beings have to rebuild them which takes a long time.
Fires
Soil Contamination Soil contamination occurs after a tornado happens. There may be chemicals in objects that get destroyed and then melt in soil. Then during the years it gets buried and then releases chemicals that later makes soil bad to use and, can also kill crops. That means that there is no food for animals and there is no food for humans. When the soil is contaminated it releases toxic dust and then can kill younger animals.
Conclusion Fires, water contamination and soil contamination caused by tornadoes can have a huge impact on ecosystems and humans. We cannot stop tornadoes from happening but perhaps we could diminish their impact on ecosystems. Scientists need to find ways to protect ecosystems so when a tornado strikes they wouldn’t be destroyed or significantly damaged. Then animals could live longer and have more food.
Glossary Contamination: Contamination is the unwanted pollution of something by another substance. When a nuclear power plant leaks radiation into the atmosphere, for example, it causes a contamination of the surrounding area. Chemical: A distinct compound or substance, especially one which has been artificially prepared or purified. ecosystems: a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
Sources http://devanmoura.weebly.com/environmentalimpact.html http://www.brighthub.com/environment/scienceenvironmental/articles/13705.aspx http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/research/fire/fireeffects.shtml http://homeguides.sfgate.com/pollution-affect-livingthings-79218.html http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-andeffects-of-soil-pollution.php