Term paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Term paper - Essay Example Though Liajiaxia Hydroelectric Power Station is producing clean energy, it, ironically, has caused several changes in the ecological system of the Kanbula Forest. This paper aims to provide an exposition about the characteristics of the Kanbula National Park; determine the impact of Lijiaxia Hydro Power Plant on the ecological process within Kanbula National Park and; propose several ways of wildlife and forest management while taking into consideration the present condition of the Kanbula National Park. Introduction A forest ecosystem primarily consists of trees and other naturally growing plants. It also nurtures various types and species of animals. A forest ecosystem, such as the Kanbula Forest, provides people with food, fuel, timber and fiber as well. Most people do not fully recognize the importance of forests in their lives. However, it should be noted that, among other things, forests protect the hydrologic cycle. They also help in climate regulation by basically being natur al sinks of carbon, which is one of the greenhouse gases that harm the planet (Espaldon et al, 2004). Kanbula forest is one of the most diverse forests in China. Huge mountains, covered with trees, extend from the forest. There are deflated hills around the forest that are formed due to erosion from wind and sand. The hills are called red cloud landforms. What is more, other than the huge number of flora and fauna therein, Kanbula forest is also quite rich in natural resources. However, the ecological system of the forest is at risk of destruction due to several issues related to human activity. The primary factor affecting the ecosystem within the forest is the Lijiaxia Hydro Power Plant, which has been causing changes therein from the time of its establishment to the present. These factors have effected changes in the National Forest Park, and these changes have, in turn, affected various wildlife species and their habitat. This includes their numerical depletion in the area from trapping, hunting and human expansion into their habitat. As per Sajise et al, major causes of forest destruction include industrialization, commercialism and weak enforcement of forest laws (1996). This paper will dig deeper into several issues that Kanbula National Park is facing, and how these issues or factors impact the ecological system thereof. Effect of Hydro Power Plant on Ecosystem Hydroelectric Power Plants can also cause destruction to the aquatic ecosystem. The dams along the Pacific and Atlantic course have reduced the fish population especially that of Salmon by preventing the fish to reach breeding grounds upstream (Duncan, Graham-Rowe., 2005). Downstream river environment is also affected thereby; water coming out of the turbine usually contains very little suspended sediment that leads to river scouring and loss of riverbanks and riverbeds. Since turbine gates are cyclically opened, changes in river flow are observed. Water coming out of the turbines is usually war mer than water behind the dam and, thus, the aquatic faunal life is affected. Hydroelectric power plants in tropical regions produce huge amount of methane and carbon dioxide gas. This is because of plant materials in flooded areas that decay due to anaerobic conditions and form methane gas, which is a harmful greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gas emissions from the hydroelectric reservoir may be higher than those of a conventional oil-fired thermal generation plant (Duncan,