Soil erosion due to deforestation in Haiti

What is the main environmental issue?

Which ecosystem is affected? Describe it in detail.

Who is responsible for the damage?

Who and what is affected by the ecological (environmental) issue?

Are there any statistics to help explain why this is an issue?

What are the short-term effects of this issue?

What are the possible long-term effects of this issue?

Are other ecosystems affected as well?

Other facts you come across about the issue and the ecosystem.

Lake Miragoane, Haiti is one of the largest, natural freshwater lakes in the Caribbean

Less that 20% of the land under cultivation is appropriate for agriculture.

Pollen data reveal two episodes of deforestation following European arrival. Consequent
soil erosion is documented by a decrease in organic matter content (x = 15%) and an
increase in carbonates (x = 27% as CO2). Surficial sediments reflect the widespread
deforestation and soil loss that characterize the watershed today.
 Describe the healthy, sustainable ecosystem you are studying (how it was or is before the
ecological concern) and then the unhealthy, unsustainable ecosystem it is becoming.

For each ecosystem (sustainable and unsustainable) create a ​list of biotic and abiotic factors​.
Use a table like this one to help organize your notes.

Sustainable Ecosystems Unsustainable Ecosystems

Description

Abiotic Factors
Biotic Factors

Show the energy flow by creating a food web including ​6–10 species​ for the ecosystem related
to your ecosystem of concern.

Then, identify one species in the first, second, and third trophic levels to show energy transfer.

You may draw your food web online, or with a pen and paper and then take a picture of it to
insert into your report.
Now you will research some of the limiting factors that impact your chosen ecosystem of
concern. Your environmental issue will impact some populations in your ecosystem.

When you have completed your research, describe the effect of human activity on the limiting
factors and how they impact the carrying capacity for some living things in your ecosystem.
You will evaluate an initiative that is set up to try and protect your ecosystem of study.

The initiative could be government legislation, an education program, a non-profit organization

activity, or any other initiative designed to protect your ecosystem of study.

Use the questions listed to guide your research and analysis.

● Who started the initiative?

● How long has the initiative been in place for?
● How does the initiative work?
● What impact has the initiative had so far?
● What are the goals of the initiative?
● Is the initiative gaining recognition or getting bigger (improving)?
● What are the barriers to success for this initiative?
● Ultimately, do you think this initiative is effective in protecting or helping your
ecosystem of study?