Ch 6: Humans in the Biosphere Essential Standard: 2.2.1

Objectives SWBAT define evology as the study of interactions between organisms and their environment SWBAT identifty ecological levels of organization SWBAT describe the properties of a population and interpret population curves SWBAT identify the carrying capacity of an environment SWBAT compare and contrast exponential and logistic population growth. WBAT compare and contrast habitat and a niche SWBAT define a limiting factor and provide examples WBAT define the competitive exclusion principle and compare/contrast interspecifc and intraspecific competition SWBAT define and provide examples of 3 forms of symbiosis: mutualism, commensalisms, and parasitism SWBAT create and interpret food chains and webs SWBAT describe flow of matter and energy in an ecosystem SWBAT interpret the pyramids of energy and matter SWBAT define and describe the laws of conservation of matter and energy SWBAT describe the process of succession and provide examples of primary and secondary sucession as a climax community SWBAT describe the various cycles in nature SWBAT describe terrestrial and aquatic biomes SWBAT explain natural systems such as climate change, ozone production, erosion, deposition

NATURAL SYSTEMS OBJ explain natural systems such as climate change, ozone production, erosion, deposition

Human Activities Humans participate in food webs in the biosphere like all other organisms – depend on other organisms for food – can also change the environment (we are the most important source of environmental change on the planet (Hunting, gathering, agriculture, industry, and urban development are some of the human activities that effect the biosphere)

Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources Renewable = regenerate or replenish by biochemical cycles in short periods of time Nonrenewable = cannot be replenished by natural processes Sustainable development = using natural resources without depletion Human activities effect the quality and supply of renewable resources like land, forests, fisheries, air and fresh water

Biodiversity One of the Earth’s greatest natural resources Provides: food, industrial products, medicines (painkillers, antibiotics, heart meds, antidepressants, anticancer drugs) Threats = human activity alters habitats, hunting, toxic compounds, foreign species – Extinction = a species disappears from part or all of its range – Endangered = a population size that decreases in a major way

Pollution Biological magnification = concentrations of a harmful substance which increases in organisms at higher trophic levels in food chains or webs DDT: At first, DDT seemed to be a perfect pesticide. It is cheap, remains active for a long time, kills many different insects, and can control agricultural pests and disease-carrying mosquitoes. When DDT was sprayed, it drained into rivers and streams at low concentrations that seemed harmless

DDT But DDT has two properties that make it hazardous. First, DDT is nonbiodegradable. Second, when DDT is picked up by organisms, they do not eliminate it from their bodies

Introduced Species Plants and animals brought into an environment either intentionally or unintentionally – introduced into the new habitats, and often become invasive (because they reproduce rapidly in the new environment) – parasites and predators which control their numbers “back home” are not in the new environment – can be very harmful to the ecosystem and cause extinction of native species

Conserving Biodiversity Focus is on protecting entire ecosystems along with single species This ensures that the natural habitats and the interactions of different species are preserved together This could cause people to change the way they live and work: gaming laws, wildlife preserves, etc.

Ozone and the biosphere Global warming Preserving the biosphere