Natural Resources and energy paper - Essay Example

Natural Resources and Energy Introduction: Aquatic ecosystems represent those ecosystems that are under the control of water. Freshwater aquatic ecosystem is one of the forms of aquatic system providing highly useful energy resource for use which is the fresh water itself. Freshwater is exploited through its extraction having both risks and benefits (Barton, n.d.) that would be discussed in the present study. Renewable Energy Source: Freshwater Aquatic Ecosystem:Freshwater is a major source of renewable energy available as a natural source and hence extraction and activities of harvesting are performed on freshwater for its use as energy.

Different sectors, including energy, are in need of the source of freshwater for use and operations, the amount of water needed for such purposes being huge. However, although there are benefits of extracting water for use as energy, there are certain risks and challenges as well that are associated with the extraction of this source of renewable energy (NRCan’s Role and Freshwater, 2010). Benefits of Extraction of Water from Freshwater Aquatic Ecosystems:Fresh water is one of the prime necessities for all living beings and in particular for human beings.

Human beings living in the cities, or for the purposes of farming and agriculture, and in the industries, require freshwater which is the main cause for extraction of freshwater from the aquatic ecosystems. Freshwater systems provide control of floods, transportation facilities, recreation, as well as waste purification (Baron et al, 2003, pp.1-15). Extraction of freshwater includes benefits for the landscapes on earth. Freshwater aquatic ecosystems are comprised of such organisms that form the food web for other living beings.

These organisms available in the freshwater are both ecologically and economically important as they are diverse in form and nature. Benthic communities refer to the lives available at the bottom of the freshwater systems constituting organisms like algae, bacteria, fungi, and other invertebrates that are capable of transforming substance and energy into living forms, thus proving to be sources of food and energy of living beings on earth (Benefits of Freshwater Systems, 2013). However there are certain risks associated with such extraction of freshwater from the aquatic ecosystems as well.

The benefits for the society has led to overlooking the benefits that freshwater has for the aquatic ecosystems and the living organisms present in there. With more and more extraction of this source of life and energy the quantity of freshwater required for the aquatic systems as well as for human beings is becoming limited. There is a huge demand for freshwater while the supply is reduced creating a significant gap between the demand and supply of freshwater. If humans do not make use of this source efficiently, there are possibilities of these available aquatic ecosystems to get diminished.

This would lead to further extinction of aquatic organisms, along with fragmentations of the wetlands, rivers, estuaries, and deltas. Thus better management of freshwater usage has become a significant necessity for the present world (Jackson et al, 2001, pp.1-14). Conclusion:It can be concluded from the above study that freshwater being a naturally available source of energy that has several benefits for human beings and the society, the extraction of freshwater from the aquatic ecosystems has become prominent.

However, improvement in water management is also necessary considering the associated risks and challenges of such extraction. ReferencesBaron, J.S. et al (2003). Sustaining Healthy Freshwater Ecosystems. Issues in Ecology, 10, pp.1-16. Barton, A. (n.d.). Aquatic Ecosystems. URBAC. [Online]. Retrieved on 28 June 2013 from: http://urbac.wildlife.org.au/sop/aquatic_ecosystems.pdf Benefits of Freshwater Systems (2013). Freshwater-science. [Online]. Retrieved on 7 July 2013 from: http://www.freshwater-science.

org/about-sfs/benefits-of-freshwater-systems.aspxJackson, R.B. et al (2001). Water in a Changing World. Issues in Ecology, 9, pp.1-16.NRCan’s Role and Freshwater (2010). NRCAN. [Online]. Retrieved on 28 June 2013 from: http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/sustainable-development/freshwater/2485