The Black Rhino. One of the coolest animals out there. They are located in eastern and southern Africa. The Environment of their ecosystem is usually calm and Beautiful. The biotic factors of their ecosystem are grass, brush/bushes, trees, fruit, Lions, Warthogs, etc. The abiotic factors of their ecosystem are sunlight, wind, temperature, and so on. The Black Rhino also has a symbiotic relationship with the Oxpecker. The Oxpecker sits on the Rhino while getting a free buffet of ticks and bloody sores. In exchange, the Oxpecker alerts the Black Rhino if it sees anything. The population size of the Black Rhino is 2,000, which is really low. Their limiting factors are Lions, Hyenas, and Humans. Humans are one of their biggest limiting factors because of poaching. Their carrying capacity is getting lower and lower throughout the years. They are also getting impacted by ecological succession. This is because poaching has cut down the black rhino population by about 90%. If the Black Rhino is wiped out, that means it could cut down food supplies for species in its area.

The Black Rhino is a heterotroph or consumer. Don’t get it mixed up with an autotroph, or producer. Producers make their own food, only needing help from the sun or water. Heterotrophs depend on producers. The Black Rhino is a primary consumer on the food chain because it is a herbivore and not a carnivore. It is on trophic level 2 because all primary consumers are on trophic level 2. Also, the Black Rhino gets only 10% of the energy from plants, known as the rule of 10. The rule of 10 impacts the Black Rhino because it needs to eat about 10 fruits or patches of grass to get the full 100% of ATP energy. The Black Rhino has a relationship with decomposers as well. When the Rhino dies or gets killed, decomposers break down the rhino’s matter into nutrients for plants and trees.

The Black Rhino is facing some really negative impacts. As I said, Humans are killing these beautiful creatures for their horns. This is making their population cut back by 90%. It is really sad to know that this species could be extinct in our lifetime. Also, along with poaching, climate change and global warming are really affecting the Black Rhino’s ecosystem. Because of greenhouse gases, the ozone is thinning, allowing the sun to damage our land. This will lead to water sources and grass easily drying up, leaving the Black Rhinos with no food. Fossil fuels aren’t an impact for the Black Rhino, but non-renewable resources are. Rhino horns are made of keratin, which is the same protein in human hair and nails. These horns, especially in Vietnam, are used as medicine that helps fevers, headaches, and other illnesses supposedly, and a display of wealth and success. If we are to kill off Rhino’s just to show off or to make medicine that doesn’t even work, we could really damage their ecosystem.

Poaching is a crime. It takes thousands of animals lives each month. With your help, we can stop this problem altogether. Protest the government to stop the selling of Black Rhino horns. Go green to put an end to pollution. Even just sign this petition. Together, we can make this world clean and peaceful once and for all.