Introduction
Ecological integrity may also be referred to as ecological health or ecological damage.
As the names suggest, these are symptoms that prove that the ecosystem within a particular duration has experienced a certain loss that has slowed its capability to execute the nature’s services as well as its carrying capacity possibly as a result of pollution (Noss 16).
Most measures of ecological integrity tend to be referred on the ecosystem. The mission of my action plan is to come up with an education program that can help reduce the negative activities that cause ecological integrity, particularly environmental degradation.
Causes of Ecological Damage
It has been undoubtedly proved that most of the human beings’ systems on natural resources, done for the sustainability of their interests hurt the ecosystem. The misuse of resources by human beings is done widely leading to an imbalance in resources either directly or indirectly.
To begin with most individuals have taken part in excessive mining which is an act of misuse. I was not aware that the excessive use of unscientific water from the ground affected the ecosystem.
Deforestation of forests for commercial and fuel purposes which has had a serious impact on the ecosystem never missed on my list. I encroached through the forests while looking for agricultural land. All these activities are done by human beings lead to environmental degradation.
Consequently, my educational program will focus on educating human beings on how some of their activities like mining and deforestation have caused harm to the environment.
Given that there could be better mining approaches, the program will engage in an interactive approach to enable us to come up with these approaches. We shall discuss the best way to ensure survival not just for us but also the environment.
Background
Environmental degradation may be defined as the weakening of the environment through the exhaustion of resources (soil, water, and air) as well as the devastation of the ecosystem (Hunter 22). The negative impacts of degradation outweigh the positive ones.
Considering the negative effects of degradation, it leads to the extermination of different species of plants and animals the thus reducing the ecosystems adaptability to the environment.
Deforestation by human beings has at largely affected soil erosion due to the exposure of soil to the susceptible conditions.
The vast droughts and floods experienced in various countries of the world have at large affected the ecosystem. The various changes in the environment lead to the depletion of the ozone that increases the susceptibility of living things to many diseases.
The hazardous production of wastes causes pollution in most of the groundwater sources. The warmer climate that may be created as after deforestation may not be favorable for most living things within the environment (Hunter 12).
The benefit that may be achieved from environmental degradation is that fuel is availed for use within the environment.
Through most of these activities, people lacked freshwater for not only consumption but also industrial uses and agriculture. This was the biggest problem socially. In addition to this, the build-up of a lot of garbage led to poor smells that affected most of the nearby residents.
The higher extinction rate of most plants and animal species and climate changes pose a threat to food shortage which also affected people.
Given the above arguments, my plan will allow individuals to understand the role of their activities in the security of their future.
My action will, therefore, allow individuals to continue using natural resources to benefit them. However, the approaches developed after discussion with stakeholders will be environment-friendly.
Action Plan
Regarding the serious impacts that were imparted to the ecosystem plus the effects to the individuals around, I came up with some goals preferably sustainability objectives which I think if followed, then ecological integrity will be a thing of the past.
As one philosopher said, knowledge is an investment that never depreciates. By assuming education as my favorite approach, I believe that the knowledge shall remain in everyone who will be taught. They shall later teach their children and their neighbors.
My themes will include:
- teaching people on several preservation sites of the unscientific groundwater should be increased.
- Educate people on the importance of the sustainability of the environment.
- Promote most of the health care programs among individuals on plants and animals all over the ecosystem.
- Emphasize a lot on the forest conservation programs.
- Create and conserve forest reserves.
All projects as well as restoration efforts to be towards the maintenance of ecological integrity.
The timeline for my action plan is one year. In this duration, all the necessary awareness among people on the forest conservation measures as well as its importance will be complete. Beyond this period, most of the negative impacts will have declined. The following is my timeline:
Time Activity
March-May- Request the various authorities to increase the sites for preservation of the groundwater.
June-September- Educate the people on the importance of sustaining the environment and the ecosystem in general.
October-December- Educate and promote new healthcare programs towards different plant species and animals
January-February- Emphasize a lot on the various forest conservation programs as well as forest reserves.
Works Cited
Hunter, Malcolm. Wildlife, forests, and forestry: principles of managing forests for diversity. Prentice Hall: Englewood Cliffs, 1990. Print.
Hunter, Malcolm. “Benchmarks for Managing Ecosystems: Are Human Activities Natural?” Conservation Biology (1996): 10-26.
Noss, F. Reed. “From plant communities to landscapes in conservation inventories: a look at The Nature Conservancy.” Biological Conservation (1987): 11-37.