The Effects of Acid Rain on Lakes and Trees
The Effects of Acid Rain on Lakes and TreesThe Effects of Acid Rain on Lakes and Trees
Acid rain has long been argued by society�s most formidable minds. It indirectly
destroys ecosystems that surround forests and lakes (Taylor, 26). People need to make decisions
dealing with the destruction of nature and the role acid rain plays in it. Acid rain destroys
millions of forests and lakes (Taylor, 26 ). Studies show that acid rain is one of the largest
contributing factors in the death of forests and lakes.
Acid rain indirectly kills millions of acres of forestland each decade. In the
1960s, people found that acid rain fall was unhealthy and damaging to forests (Baines, 20).
Acid rain does not kill the trees directly. Acid rain makes the tree weaken and poisons it with
toxic substances that are slowly released from the soil (EPA). When the trees weaken from the
acid, it has a harder time fighting off adversaries such as fungi, diseases, and frost so
subsequently it dies. Around the 1970s the acid rain dilemma got worse, the acid rain has put
trees in danger and now they are starting to die off. The effects of acid rain on a tree is shown if
it has less foliage, yellow spots and produces many cones (Baines, 22). Secondly, acid rain
damages the trees through the soil by releasing metals that harm them even further (Lucas, 72).
Acid rain makes the trees lose their leaves, so when the trees try to regrow their leaves, buds
come instead, this process is called a panic shoot (M. 15). Large land areas which used to be
covered with forests are now gone, dead or dying (Baines, 21). Around the 1980�s more than half
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of the trees in Germany had signs of acid rain damage (Edmonds, 14). Now it is known that acid
rain is one of the biggest contributing factors in the death and deterioration of nature.
Lakes support thousands of species of marine life, that�s why it�s a shame that they are
constantly being poisoned by acid rain. Scientists have studied the effects on acid rain in lakes
for several decades (Lucas, 49). Scientist use their observations to determine whether lakes are
acidous or not. People can tell if there is acid rain in a lake if the water is clean and crystal clear,
but with hardly no life in it (Baines, 16).The acid rain can enter the lakes by way of snow, rain,
sleet, hail, dew, and fog. Many fish are depleted due to the effects of acid rain (Lucas, 57). The
acid rain that falls in the lakes is making it difficult for fish to reproduce successfully
(Edmonds,18). When the acid falls in lakes, almost everything in them dies. The only thing that
can survive in an acidic lake are the hardest plants and animals (M.19). Therefore, acid rain is
very dangerous to lakes and the life that they support. People must do everything within their
power and reach to lower the acid content of the atmosphere, the same atmosphere that surrounds
every aspect of their lives.
Again, people need to make important decisions that deal with the destruction of nature
and the role acid rain plays in that. Acid rain plays a large role in the death of forests by
poisoning the trees and leaving them vulnerable to all other ailments. Acid rain causes the death
of the species living in the lakes through the poison acid rain leaves in them. With the help of the
general public, the dream of an atmosphere free of acid rain can finally become a reality. Acid
rain is one of the largest contributing factors in the death of forests and lakes.