Ecology Human Activities 7/9/2016 SB4d1
Standard Students will assess the dependence of all organisms on one another and the flow of energy and matter within their ecosystems Assess and explain human activities that influence and modify the environment such as global warming, population growth, pesticide use, and water and power consumption 7/9/2016 SB4d 2
Essential Question What will happen when humans have irreparably altered an ecosystem and ultimately the Earth? 7/9/2016 SB4d 3
Natural Resources Raw materials that support life on Earth 7/9/2016 SB4d 4
Renewable Resources 7/9/2016 SB4d 5 Materials that can be regrown or replenished Forests Wildlife Soil Could lead to an energy crisis in the future
Nonrenewable Resources 7/9/2016 SB4d 6 Materials that cannot be regrown or replenished Fresh water Fossil fuels Minerals Used quicker than they can form
Resource Management Earth’s resources must be used responsibly. Careless use of resources makes them unavailable to future generations. Easter Island is an example of irresponsible resource use.
Ecological Footprint The land must produce and maintain enough food and water shelter energy Waste Affected by amount and efficiency of resource use amount and toxicity of waste produced
Pollution Any undesirable factor added to the air, water, or soil Gases, chemicals, heat, garbage, and noise Materials that cause pollution are pollutants 7/9/2016 SB4d 9
Smog 7/9/2016 SB4d 10 Smog is one type of air pollution. sunlight interacts with pollutants in the air pollutants produced by fossil fuel emissions made of particulates and ground-level ozone
Consequences of pollution Acid rain Endangering or extinction of animals Contamination of environment Poor air quality Disease 7/9/2016 SB4d 11
Acid Rain Acid rain is rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic. It has harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals and buildings. 7/9/2016 SB4d 12
Greenhouse Effect Cause- Burning fossil fuels in cars and power stations produces carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and other greenhouse gases Effects- carbon dioxide traps heat in the atmosphere and causes the temperature of the earth to rise. This leads to disruption of the weather patterns eg. drought, floods 7/9/2016 SB4d 13
Global Warming 7/9/2016 SB4d 14 A term used to describe the increase in the average temperature of the biosphere. Caused by the addition of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide to the atmosphere
Water Pollution Pollution can put entire freshwater ecosystems at risk.
Indicator Species Indicate the health of an ecosystem Top predators and amphibians
Biomagnification Pollutants can move up the food chain. predators eat contaminated prey pollution accumulates at each stage of the food chain Top consumers are most affected
Habitat Fragmentation 7/9/2016 SB4d 18 Habitat fragmentation prevents an organism from accessing its entire home range. occurs when a barrier forms within the habitat often caused by human development Habitat corridors can allow these species to move between habitats
Introduced species An introduced species is one that is brought to an ecosystem by humans. accidental Purposeful Invasive species can have an environmental and economic impact. Can push out native species Python in Florida
Sustainable Use 7/9/2016 SB4d 20 Sustainable development meets needs without hurting future generations. resources meet current needs resources will still be available for future use
Umbrella Species The Endangered Species Act works to protect individual species from extinction. A listed species is often called an umbrella species. the habitat in which the species lives must be protected Species that share the ecosystem are protected as well
EPA The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created in The EPA develops policies and regulations to protect the environment. Legislation helps to protect the environment and endangered species. Clean Air Act Clean Water Act Endangered Species Act
How can you help? control population growth develop sustainable technology and practices protect and maintain ecosystems