The Most Successful Species
Based off Chapter 6 (pt 1) of Humans in the Landscape
Humans and the Food Web
Photosynthesizing organisms are the most common in the general food pyramid, followed by herbivores, then omnivores, with carnivores being the most rare at the top of the food chain. However, humans have become the exception. They are an omnivorous species that has used evolution to its advantage. The products of evolution that allowed for bigger brains, bipedalism, tool usage and fire mastering has allowed us to climb to the top of the food chain. This fact puts a far greater stress on environmental resources.
Controlling Resources
Technical advances and the shaping of modern society have allowed us to “enlarge the carrying capacity” of environments to suit our needs relating to sustenance. However, these “advancements” have come at a cost. Things such as pesticides, GMOs, the Industrial Revolution, and artificial selection have caused general environmental issues like pollution, climate change, trophic disruption, and a decline in genetic variability. However, what many do not see is that “enlarging the carrying capacity” may be counterproductive in itself. Through the use of artificial pressures it may be possible to temporarily maximize the amount of resources in a given environment so as to increase the population. It must not be forgotten though that Earth has a carrying capacity in itself, and many believe we have already reached it. By putting excess pressure on specific environments and not allowing an ecosystem to regulate population naturally, the planet itself is pushed closer and closer to a catastrophic breaking point.
Humans and the Food Web
Photosynthesizing organisms are the most common in the general food pyramid, followed by herbivores, then omnivores, with carnivores being the most rare at the top of the food chain. However, humans have become the exception. They are an omnivorous species that has used evolution to its advantage. The products of evolution that allowed for bigger brains, bipedalism, tool usage and fire mastering has allowed us to climb to the top of the food chain. This fact puts a far greater stress on environmental resources.
Controlling Resources
Technical advances and the shaping of modern society have allowed us to “enlarge the carrying capacity” of environments to suit our needs relating to sustenance. However, these “advancements” have come at a cost. Things such as pesticides, GMOs, the Industrial Revolution, and artificial selection have caused general environmental issues like pollution, climate change, trophic disruption, and a decline in genetic variability. However, what many do not see is that “enlarging the carrying capacity” may be counterproductive in itself. Through the use of artificial pressures it may be possible to temporarily maximize the amount of resources in a given environment so as to increase the population. It must not be forgotten though that Earth has a carrying capacity in itself, and many believe we have already reached it. By putting excess pressure on specific environments and not allowing an ecosystem to regulate population naturally, the planet itself is pushed closer and closer to a catastrophic breaking point.
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