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Pigface Essay

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Pig Face
Carpobrotus Rossii

There are about 30 different species of carpobrotus Rossii (Pigface) around the world. In Australia there are four species which are seen mainly in coastal areas on sand dunes. Pigface is a succulent plant that spreads up to 2 or more metres, flatly across the ground with thick waxy succulent leaves growing up to 100mm long and has large daisy like flowers which grow about 45mm in diameter. This plant usually has purple petals with a white or yellow centre. fruits and leaves are edible. ‘The water stored in the leaves act as storage organs enabling the plant to survive hot dry summers on coastal cliffs and sand.’ (Unique Flora of Tasmania, 2016) …show more content…

The position is called a trophic level. For example, fox eats birds, so if the food chain contained a fox and a bird then the fox would be at a higher trophic level then the bird.
(outdoor education 2nd edition, natural environments)

Energy Flows

All energy used by living organisms ultimately comes from the sun. energy enters living systems through photosynthesis by plants and some bacteria. (MHHE, N.D)
Ecosystems maintain themselves by recycling energy and nutrients obtained from external sources. At the first trophic level of primary producers i.e. plants and algae, use solar energy to produce organic plant material through photosynthesis.
Herbivores make up the second trophic level. Predators that eat herbivores comprise the third trophic level; if larger predators are present they are then represent a higher trophic level. Organisms that feed at several trophic levels are classified at the highest of trophic levels at which they feed. Decomposers breakdown wastes and dead organisms and return nutrients back to the soil. (Future Direction International, …show more content…

Decomposers process a large amount of organic material and return nutrients to the ecosystem in inorganic form, which are then taken up again by primary producers. Energy is not recycled during decomposition, but rather is released, mostly in heat. (Annenberg Learner, n.d)

Part 3

Human Impact on the South Port dune system

Humans have adversely affected the South Port sand dunes particularly the biophysical processes occurring in the accretion cycle and on the flora and fauna in the biosphere. People, especially boot campers, are walking or running in the wrong areas causing cliff faces to gradually collapse. There are also people camping in areas that there should not be campers, council has had to remove tents and mattresses as a consequence. (Jock Conlon, 2017)

Other impacts have been caused by the following human activities:
Negative:

• Disruption of sediment (sand) flow
• Coastal Development- golf courses, houses, surf

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