View allAll Photos Tagged ECOSYSTEMS
An image of a modern city, downtown Toronto. Lots of concrete and glass, asphalt and noise. I'll take the 'burbs any day :-)
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Macro Mondays theme In the Eye of the Beholder
Dandelions are an important part of our ecosystems and they are good for our lawns. Bees need them as an early source of nectar and pollen before any flowers and blossoms have started to bloom. Their wide spread roots loosen hard packed soil, aerate the earth and help reduce erosion. Their deep taproots pull nutrients such as calcium from deep in the soil and makes them available to other plants. And they provide a bright splash of colour early in the season when everything is still bare. So please do not spray them with them with weed killer! Hmm...
Chilka Lake (Chilika Lake) is a brackish water lagoon, spread over the Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts of Odisha state on the east coast of India, at the mouth of the Daya River, flowing into the Bay of Bengal, covering an area of over 1,100 km2. It is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the second largest lagoon in the world.
It is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds on the Indian sub-continent. The lake is home to a number of threatened species of plants and animals.
The lake is an ecosystem with large fishery resources. It sustains more than 150,000 fisher–folk living in 132 villages on the shore and islands.
The lagoon hosts over 160 species of birds in the peak migratory season. Birds from as far as the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, Aral Sea and other remote parts of Russia, Kirghiz steppes of Mongolia, Central and southeast Asia, Ladakh and Himalayas come here. These birds travel great distances; migratory birds probably follow much longer routes than the straight lines, possibly up to 12,000 km, to reach Chilika Lake.
In 1981, Chilika Lake was designated the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
According to a survey, 45 percent of the birds are terrestrial in nature, 32 percent are waterfowl, and 23 percent are waders. The lagoon is also home to 14 types of raptors. Around 152 rare and endangered Irrawaddy dolphins have also been reported. Plus, the lagoon supports about 37 species of reptiles and amphibians.
The highly productive chilika lagoon eco-system with its rich fishery resources sustains the livelihood for many fisher men who live in and near the Lagoon. The water spread area of the Lagoon ranges between 1165 to 906 km2 during the monsoon and summer respectively. A 32 km long, narrow, outer channel connects the lagoon to the Bay of Bengal, near the village Motto. More recently a new mouth has been opened by CDA which has brought a new lease of life to the lagoon.
Microalgae, marine seaweeds, sea grasses, fishes and crabs also flourish in the brackish water of the Chilika Lagoon.
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The Oostvaardersplassen is a nature reserve in the Netherlands. Despite its young age, it is in a polder which was only created in 1968, it already has international importance as a European wetland. The Oostvaardersplassen can be divided into two areas: wet and dry. Before the establishment of the reserve, the dry area was a nursery for willow trees, and in the first year hundreds of seedlings could be found on each square metre. This led to concern that a dense woodland would develop, significantly reducing the value of the habitat for water birds. To avoid this, the park's managers brought in a number of large herbivores to keep the area more open, including Konik horses, Red deer and Heck cattle. These large grazing animals are kept out in the open all year round without supplemental feeding, and are allowed to behave as wild animals without, for example, castrating males. The ecosystem developing under their influence is thought to resemble those that would have existed on European river banks and deltas before human disturbance. Twelve hundred of the estimated thirty-six hundred cattle, horses, and deer have perished from today's winter starvation. Scientists and managers have deemed the deaths normal. People are not very happy that the government is letting the animals die. They see the Oostvaardersplassen as more of a zoo than a wild space. Well, I think the managers are doing the right thing to maintain a healthy population within the park’s carrying capacity.
A photo of Red Deer eating the fibres of tree trunks, food is very hard to find in the harsh winter taken at the Dutch nature reserve Oostvaardersplassen. She was very busy and didn't notice me sneaking towards her. I had to make some noise to get her attention. I took the shot and went back. She didn't run away but continue eating the fibres of tree trunks. Located between Almere and Lelystad. I did enter the park at the Kottertocht entrance. It is hard to survive the winter. All animals are kept without supplemental winter feeding. Many Red deer and Konik horses already crossed the frozen water in search for food. Some horses were stucked due to their weight did crush the too thin ice. These Red Deer where consuming the fibres of tree trunks, because food is very hard to find, although it is not there daily nutrition. Especially when there is deep snow, lack of food causes starvation among the weak and the strongest will survive . So the survival of the fittest keeps the herds strong and healthy. Also Foxes, which are quite common in this reserve, profit from carcasses of deer, cows and birds in winter. Maybe in future a pack of Wolves could do a great job as natural predators in this part of Holland.
Een bezoek aan de Oostvaardersplassen is een kennismaking met het Nederland van duizenden jaren geleden. Een ongerept moerasgebied, met uitgestrekte plassen en woeste graslanden. De natuur mag er onbelemmerd haar gang gaan. Uniek in Nederland én in Europa. Natuurliefhebbers komen hier helemaal aan hun trekken. Vogels kijken op de plassen, een excursie naar de edelherten, een fotosafari naar de grote grazers. Of maak een rustige wandeling naar een van de vogelobservatiehutten. De Oostvaardersplassen zijn het grootste moerasgebied van Nederland. De weidsheid is ongekend en de natuur heeft er vrij spel. Ontelbare vogels hebben bezit genomen van het gebied. Vooral in de winter is dat een spectaculair gezicht. Het witte besneeuwde winterlandschap is indrukwekkend kaal en stil. De natuur is er nog jong. Toch is het nu al een natuurgebied van internationale allure. De bomen, struiken en bossen zitten vol vogels, zoogdieren en insecten. Grauwe ganzen grazen in het moeras. En de honderden Heckrunderen, konikpaarden en edelherten geven het gebied een haast on-Nederlandse aanblik. Staatsbosbeheer verwacht dat door de strenge winter dit jaar 30 procent van de edelherten, heckrunderen en konikpaarden in het natuurgebied de Oostvaardersplassen dood gaan. Het gaat om ongeveer 1200 dieren. Op zich is 30 procent niet meer dan in voorgaande jaren", aldus Staatsbosbeheer. ,,Maar de kuddes zijn door de zachte omstandigheden van de afgelopen jaren flink gegroeid. In absolute cijfers is het aantal dieren dat dood gaat daarom wel hoger dan normaal." Voor de winter liepen er in het natuurgebied ongeveer 570 heckrunderen, 1140 konikpaarden en 2320 edelherten. In de winter is de sterfte, vooral onder jonge dieren, groot. In de Oostvaardersplassen worden ernstig verzwakte dieren die toch zouden sterven afgeschoten. Zo wordt hen nodeloos lijden bespaard.
From space it is shockingly visible how fragile our eco- and climate systems are. Mesospheric clouds above Siberia.
Vom All aus ist schockierend deutlich zu sehen, wie zerbrechlich unser Klimasystem ist.
Credits: ESA/NASA
931_1332
Inle Lake Twilight
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Aambyvalley Rd.,Lonavala,Mah.,India
www.inaturalist.org/observations/6977894
family:Cerambycidae
subfamily:Priorinae
tribe:Prionini
Known to be attracted by light
Additional images below
Aambyvalley Rd.,Lonavala,Mah.,India
www.inaturalist.org/observations/5037363
......essence of immortality!
This image shows the northern edge of the San Gabriel Mountains, high above the San Andreas Rift Zone and within sight of the Antelope Valley at the western edge of the Mojave Desert, 3,000 feet below. This is near the small desert community of Valyermo . There are two distinct ecosystems in view the desert with its scrub vegetation, joshua trees and cacti and desert fauna and the pine covered mountains, with lakes and streams.
© Lawrence Goldman 2010, All Rights Reserved
This work may not be copied, reproduced, republished, edited, downloaded, displayed, modified, transmitted, licensed, transferred, sold, distributed or uploaded in any way without my prior written permission.
If you are interested in my works, they are available on Getty Images.
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當言語變得模糊時，我將用照片來聚焦。當影像依然不足以表達時、我也只能沈默以對了。
When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.
～Ansel Adams
Fauna and flora on the walls of a pontoon coming out of the water
Faune et flore sur les parois d'un ponton sortie de l'eau.
Port de Saint-Nazaire
FRANCE
Clown nose box fish resting at the reef in Soma Bay near Safaga in the Red Sea, Egypt
This image was taken during a night dive.
More images from Soma Bay you can find on my blog:
This Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) was spotted perched on a tree stump, scanning its surroundings for carrion in Kruger National Park. Known for their vital role in the ecosystem as scavengers, Hooded Vultures are a relatively small species of vulture, identifiable by their featherless heads and sharp, hooked beaks. Kruger offers a perfect backdrop for observing these fascinating birds in their natural habitat, contributing to Africa's intricate web of life.
Gordon Mountain, located in Kowloon, Hong Kong, is a popular hiking destination known for its stunning natural scenery and rich ecosystem. Named after a British official from the 19th century, the mountain reflects the historical context of Hong Kong during the colonial era.
The mountain serves as a paradise for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, featuring several trails suitable for varying levels of fitness, all offering breathtaking views of both the urban landscape and the surrounding nature.
Over the years, Gordon Mountain has become an important community resource, fostering awareness and appreciation for the natural environment among residents and visitors alike. Local authorities have implemented conservation and management efforts to maintain its ecological balance and promote sustainable development.
Today, Gordon Mountain is not only a venue for physical activities but also a part of Hong Kong's cultural and natural heritage, attracting countless visitors eager to explore and enjoy its beautiful landscapes.
嘉頓山（Gordon Mountain）位於香港的九龍地區，是一個受歡迎的登山和遠足地點，以其壯觀的自然風光和豐富的生態系統而聞名。這座山的命名源於19世紀的英國官員，反映了香港殖民時期的歷史背景。
嘉頓山不僅是登山健行者的天堂，還是當地居民和遊客享受戶外活動的理想場所。山上有多條步道，適合不同水平的登山者，並提供壯麗的城市和自然景觀。
隨著時間的推移，嘉頓山已經成為一個重要的社區資源，促進了人們對自然環境的認識和保護意識。當地政府也對該地區進行了保護和管理，以確保其生態平衡和可持續發展。
今天的嘉頓山不僅是體育活動的場所，還是香港文化和自然遺產的一部分，吸引著無數遊客前來探索和欣賞其美麗的景色。
Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (CREW)
"CREW (Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed) is the largest intact watershed in Southwest Florida, straddling Lee and Collier Counties."
CREW Cypress Dome Trails
Afternoon storm about to cut loose; we were pretty far out on the trail and just made it back to our car!
While walking in the Farnham Estate in Cavan I came across this ecosystem in a tree! It reminded me of the giant Kauri tree known as Tane Mahuta in the forest of Waipoua in New Zealand! This may not be quite as big but the range of plants living on it are almost as spectacular!
Notes
Although a few mushrooms with stems grow on tree bark, most do not. Bark mushrooms typically grow in the form of conk, also called a bract or Polypores are a group of fungi that form fruiting bodies with pores or tubes on the underside (see Delimitation for exceptions).
They are a morphological group of basidiomycetes like gilled mushrooms and hydnoid fungi, and not all polypores are closely related to each other. Polypores are also called bracket fungi, and their woody fruiting bodies are called conks.
Polypores are used in traditional medicine, and they are actively studied for their medicinal value and various industrial applications.
Check out the latest and greatest scientific instruments for environmental research from LI-COR Biosciences, in LEGO form! Several scientists measure photosynthesis, soil flux, leaf area, and light, while an eddy covariance tower silently measures CO2 and CH4 flux.
The Rock Islands of Palau are a collection of several hundred limestone and coral uprises in the Palauan archipelago. They are extremely important to Palau as they support biodiversity, fisheries, tourism, and cultural values. The islands are also famous for their beaches, blue/turquoise lagoons, and have made UNESCO heritage status. There are over 746 species of fish, over 385 corals, 13 species of shark and manta rays, 7 species of giant clams, and all the endemic birds and over half of the endemic plants of Palau.