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World Cities Essay

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World Cities Essay
“With reference to at least ONE ecosystem you have studied, explain the biophysical interactions which lead to diverse ecosystems and their functioning”

An ecosystem is the interaction between biotic and a biotic features. Each element of an ecosystem relies on one another in order to maintain the ecosystem. The interacting biophysical elements include the atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere. This is shown at the Towra Point Estuarine Wetlands ecosystem, located on the southern shores of Botany Bay at Kurnell.

Towra point is constructed from sea grass, salt marsh vegetation and mangrove. It is a major breeding ground for many vulnerable, protected and endangered species. Such as mammals, crustaceans fish and birds. Presently, the Federal Government as well as several additional international agreements protects it.

The atmosphere is the envelope of gases that border the Earth. Atmospheric elements consist of temperature, wind, humidity and sunlight. For sea grass, mangroves and salt marsh to survive within the ecosystem they must have precise climatic conditions. These specific conditions are known as microclimates. Microclimates are small specific places within an area, as contrasted with the climate of the entire area. Microclimates ensure the best survival of organisms. An example that shows this is that mangroves survive best in the tropical regions. Mangroves need protection from winds, with access to sunlight. Mangroves have a wide spread root system that clings into the soil, therefore without protection from winds they may be pushed over and die. Sunlight is just as essential as the pneumatophores stick out if the soil, so that the mangroves can collect sunlight.
However, salt marshes, which are present in similar ecosystems, are able to withstand higher temperatures. One issue that impacts on salt marshes includes human impact. This air pollution comes from the nearby Kingsford Smith Airport runway. This has seen to place stress

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