Section A: The management of ecosystems ensuring the balance between conservation and human needs
Ecosystems: All of the living organisms and no-living components in a specific
habitat and their interactions.
Conservation: The sustainable use and management of natural resources including wildlife, water, air, and earth deposits, both -- renewable and non-renewable.
Preservation: the attempt to maintain in the present conditions in areas of the Earth that are so far untouched by humans
The Masai Mara region of Kenya.
The Masai Mara is a complex but very interesting ecosystem. It offers possibly the world’s most important habitat areas, due to a great variety of wild African animals. Understanding the intricacies of how the Masai Mara works adds the deep dimension to the very unique and huge ecosystem. The Masai Mara stretches over 1500km ² of land, with the Mara River flowing through the Masai mara to the Serengeti, providing a focal point for all the species in the vast ecosystem, as it is the stage for the dramatic crossing of the wildebeest migration. Over One million of these wildebeest cross the Mara River from July to august in order to graze and mate. Some of Africa’s most prized trophy animals can also be found in the Masa Mara region: Lions, leopards, African Elephants, Cape buffalo and black rhinoceros. The latter’s population has dropped to as low as 15 individuals, but have been slowly increasing since the late 90’s. Hippopotami and crocodiles are also prevalent, and are found in large groups in the Mara and talek rivers. More than 470 bird species can be found within the reserve, such as vultures, who often follow the annual migration of gazelles and zebras, and the lilac-breasted roller which is the national bird of Kenya.
The importance of the ecosystem
The Masai Mara is a pivotal part of millions of species livelihood, as it houses some of the biggest wildlife populations in Africa, as well as some of its most iconic animals, many of...