There are many great films available to nominate for the ‘Applied Plant Ecology Film Festival.’ Although I nominated the film ‘Hurricane Heist,’ directed by Rob Cohen, I considered nominating a film entitled ‘Dante’s Peak,’ written by Leslie Bohem. ‘Dante’s Peak’ is a fictional film about a volcanologist who convinces the people of a town that they need to evacuate, due to the risk of a dangerous volcanic eruption. While doing this, his girlfriend’s young children have made their way up a mountain to rescue their grandmother. He must save these children before the volcano erupts.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118928/plotsummary
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118928/
I considered nominating this film because of the effects volcanic eruption has on environments and ecosystems in this film, and in general. This film relates to habitat fragmentation and loss. Also, despite the fact that the film does not focus on this directly, it can be inferred that this town also faces a loss of biodiversity as a result of its habitat fragmentation and loss.
Within a scene of ‘Dante’s Peak,’ as a direct result of the volcanic eruption, conditions within a lake that the main characters attempt to cross become acidic. Various gases form the magma dissolved in the lake, which formed a combination of hydrogen fluoride, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide and hydrogen chloride. All life within the lake is compromised, as hundreds of fish can be seen floating on the surface of the water. The conditions of the water were such that could no longer support life. Therefore, all biodiversity was eliminated within this lake.
Also, within numerous scenes of the film, lava is seen flowing down various areas of the town. Through this, habitat fragmentation and loss are seen. The natural habitats within the film are decreased significantly, if not completely eliminated, causing some of the landscape to divide into more isolated pieces. This presents a problem for future species, as oftentimes fragments of a former habitat have difficulty supporting various species. This can threaten the survival of these species in the long term. Also, if a habitat in its entirety is eliminated, all of the biodiversity that accompanies that habitat is lost.
As the volcanic lava flows into various regions within the town, all life that comes in contact with the lava is eliminated. It is important to consider that all organisms within an ecosystem have a purpose that contribute to the overall natural balance of that ecosystem. When a species is eliminated, we upset the natural balance of the ecosystem. The role of that species or organism is no longer being fulfilled. This presents a problem for the future of that ecosystem.
To conclude, volcanic eruptions have significant consequences on habitats and biodiversity in general. Habitats can be fragmented or entirely eliminated as a direct result of a volcanic eruption. With this comes a loss of biodiversity. Various organisms and species in general can be eliminated from an ecosystem. Therefore, this presents a problem for the future of that ecosystem.
Works Cited
Hurd, G., Singer, J. (Producers), & Donaldson, R. (Director). (1997). Dante’s Peak. United States: Universal Studios.
Applied Plant Ecology Winter 2020 