Human Activities in Ecosystems

Human Activities Cut down forests to make way for new houses, malls and parking lots. There is usually many of us in a relatively small amount of space, producing too much waste. Use resources that no other organism does: – Dig the ground for Petroleum – In the process destroy the soil, plants and shrubs in the area, and force birds and other animals to find new habitats.

The Consequences of... Construct Roads and Buildings – Kill plants and organisms living in surface soil. – Change the pattern of the land, altering water drainage – Land can no longer be used as a habitat for animals or to grow crops.

The Consequences of... Dam Building (in order to produce electricity) – Flood land rendering it unusable. – Many land animals and living things are killed during the flooding. – Others are driven away, humans included.

The Consequences of... Cut down a tree to let more sunlight in – Drive away birds and insects that used it as a home and nutrient source. – At the roots, the insects and worms living there can no longer get nutrients. – As the roots die, they no longer help keep the soil together.

The Consequences of... Introduced species – Any species that has been introduced and lives in an ecosystem where it is not found naturally. – These species thrive in new ecosystems because there is few limiting factors to keep their populations in check. – They compete with local native species.

Our waste catches up to us... Watershed – An area of land that drains into a body of water. – Our wastes flow into a system of pipes that eventually lead to a waste-water treament palnts and eventually lakes and rives. We use this water to: – Drink – Swim in – Allow fish and other animals to live in.