ECOSYSTEMS AT RWANDA

INSTITUTE FOR CONSERVATION

ASSIGNMENT
ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE
COURSE CODE SCI 202
STUDENT NAME: MBONIMPA RENE AUBERT
STUDENT ID: RC220220038

SUBMITTED ON 2/16/24 ASSIGNMENT

1.1 Background

The term “ecosystem” was first coined by A.G Tansley, an English botanist, in 1935
(Biju’s, n.d.). However, the idea of interconnectedness in nature stretches back much
further, with early thinkers like Aristotle and alexander von Humboldt recognizing the
complex relationships between organisms and their environment. The popularity of the
term "ecosystem" grew significantly in the mid-20th century, coinciding with the rise of
ecology as a scientific discipline. As our understanding of the natural world deepened,
the concept of ecosystems became a powerful tool for studying the interconnectedness
of life on earth.

1.2 Understanding the concept

An ecosystem can be defined as a geographic area where plants, animals, and other
organisms, as well as weather and landscapes, work together to form a self-sustaining
system (National Geographic Society, 2023).

This intricate web of life is characterized by two main components namely :

Biotic components: these are the living organisms, from towering trees and microscopic
bacteria to majestic whales and buzzing insects. Each organism plays a specific role in
the ecosystem, contributing to its overall health and function.

Abiotic components: these are the non-living elements that shape the environment, such
as temperature, sunlight, water, soil, and rocks. These factors influence the types of
organisms that can thrive in the ecosystem and the interactions between them.

The concept of an ecosystem emphasizes the interconnectedness of all its parts. Energy
flows from the sun to producers (plants) who convert it into food, then through consumers
(herbivores, carnivores) at various trophic levels, eventually returning to the environment
through decomposers. Nutrients cycle through the system, ensuring their continued
availability for life.

1.3 Context

Located in the east-south region of the country specifically in dry and hot lowland zone
part of the country. Lies a special place - the Rwanda institute for conservation agriculture,
or RICA. Spanning 13,000 hectares, this lush landscape is home to hundreds of species
living in complex, interwoven ecosystems. You see it the moment you arrive: birds flying
between the treetops, insects buzzing among the flowers, etc. It is a vibrant home for all
forms of life.

At RICA, different ecosystem types are found. They include but not limited to aquatic
ecosystem compromising of mainly Kilimbi lake with fish and aquatic plants. Wetland
ecosystems harboring snails, snakes, frogs, and many types of birds. Vast forests
providing shelter for primates and a great diversity of trees.

In this paper, I aim to explore these three ecosystem types - aquatic, wetland/marshland,
and forest ecosystems - and illustrate their importance to the multitude of life thriving at
RICA. Within these pages, I aim to explore and bring to light the gifts (services) freely
given by our natural surroundings.

2. ECOSYSTEMS AT RICA

2.1 Fresh water aquatic ecosystem

The aquatic ecosystem encompasses lakes Kilimbi and Gaharwa and is one of the
predominant found at RICA, a vital hub of biodiversity. These freshwater lakes provide a
surviving environment for a variety of organisms, including fish, snails, and a plethora of
aquatic plants such as urufunzu.

Photo 1: Kilimbi lake, one of the components of the aquatic ecosystem at RICA
2.2 Wetland ecosystems

Although RICA wetlands may not occupy a large area, they are valuable ecosystems that
host a diverse range of life forms. From frogs and marsh grasses to snakes and various
other species, wetlands provide vital habitats for numerous organisms.

Photo 2: One of the wetlands found at RICA, near the football pitch

2.3 Forest ecosystems

Forest ecosystems typically dominate the landscape around RICA, characterized by a

Photo 4: Some of the Shrubs type vegetation, elements of the Forest ecosystem at RICA
3. IDENTIFICATION, DESCRIPTION AND CLASSFICATION OF SERVICES
PROVIDED BY ECOSYSTEMS AT RICA

3.1 Provisioning services

Freshwater Ecosystems:
1. Water Supply: Freshwater ecosystems such as rivers, lakes, and streams provide a
direct source of water for household use and agriculture.
2. Fisheries: These ecosystems support fish populations, providing a vital source of
protein for human consumption and supporting fishing industries.

Wetland Ecosystems:
1. Water Filtration: Wetlands act as natural filters, purifying water by trapping sediments
and pollutants, thus improving water quality.
2. Flood Control: Wetlands help to mitigate flooding by absorbing excess water during
heavy rainfall events, reducing the risk of downstream flooding.
3. Carbon Sequestration: Wetlands store large amounts of carbon in their soils, helping
to mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Forest Ecosystems:
1. Timber Production: Forests provide a renewable source of timber for construction,
furniture, and paper products, contributing to the forestry industry.
2. Medicinal Resources: Many plant species found in forests have medicinal properties,
providing valuable resources for pharmaceuticals and traditional medicine.
3. Soil Conservation: Forests help to prevent soil erosion by stabilizing soil with their root
systems, reducing the risk of landslides and desertification.

3.2 Regulating services

Freshwater Ecosystems:
1. Water Purification: Freshwater ecosystems act as natural filters, removing pollutants
and sediments from water bodies, thus improving water quality.
2. Climate Regulation: These ecosystems play a role in regulating local and regional
climates by moderating temperature extremes and influencing precipitation patterns
through evaporation and transpiration.
These body lakes play a role in weather regulation, and they do it in this way:
During cold days water stores heat during day and releases it at night preventing
neighboring regions from experiencing extreme coldness at night.
during hot days water act as heat sinks due to the fact that water takes longer to heat up
than land, this keeps the neighboring regions from experiencing the extreme hotness
during nights

Wetland Ecosystems:
1. Flood Control: Wetlands mitigate flooding by absorbing and storing excess water during
heavy rainfall events, reducing the risk of downstream flooding, and providing floodplain
storage.
2. Erosion Control: Wetlands help prevent soil erosion by stabilizing soil with their root
systems, reducing the loss of sediment into water bodies and protecting coastal areas
from erosion.

Forest Ecosystems:
1. Carbon Sequestration: Forests sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through
photosynthesis, storing carbon in biomass and soil, thus mitigating climate change by
reducing greenhouse gas levels.
2. Air Quality Regulation: Forests improve air quality by absorbing pollutants such as
nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter, thereby reducing air pollution
levels and improving human health.

3.3 Cultural services

Freshwater Ecosystems:
1. Recreation and Aesthetic Value: Freshwater ecosystems offer opportunities for
recreational activities such as boating and nature observation. They also provide
aesthetic value, enhancing the beauty of landscapes and serving as destinations for
relaxation and inspiration for students after long days of class.

3.4 Supporting services

Freshwater Ecosystems:
1. Habitat Support: Freshwater ecosystems provide habitat for a diverse range of aquatic
and semi-aquatic species, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, insects, and aquatic plants.
These habitats support various life stages of species, including breeding, feeding, and
sheltering.

Wetland Ecosystems:
1. Biodiversity Maintenance: Wetlands are biodiversity hotspots, supporting a wide array
of plant and animal species, including many rare and endangered species. They provide
critical habitat for wetland-dependent organisms and contribute to overall ecosystem
resilience and stability.

Forest Ecosystems:
1. Soil Formation and Nutrient Cycling processes support: Forest ecosystems play a vital
role in soil formation and nutrient cycling. Through the decomposition of organic matter,
forests contribute to the replenishment of soil nutrients, which are essential for plant
growth and ecosystem productivity. Additionally, forest soils help to regulate water flow
and filter pollutants, supporting overall ecosystem health.
References:

Golley, F. B. (1993). A history of the ecosystem concept in ecology: more than the sum
of its parts. The Yale Journal of Forestry, 89(2), 260-265.

Byju's. (n.d.). Structure, Functions, Units and Types of Ecosystem. Retrieved from
https://byjus.com/biology/ecosystem/

National Geographic Society. (2023, October 26). Ecosystem. Retrieved from

Tansley, A. G. (1935). The use and abuse of vegetational concepts. The Journal of
Ecology, 23(2), 293-307.