Global & Local Eco Issues

Biological Diversity ~2 million species identified on Earth ~8 million species to find ~1 billion extinct species EX: Mycena luxaeterna (eternal light mushroom)

Biosphere Services Ecosystems provide ~$33 trillion/year in services Purification of air and water Reduction of severity of natural disasters Generation of fertile soils Detoxification of waste Pollination of crops

Problem: Biodiversity Crisis More species are going extinct now than at any point within the past 65 million years

Planet Earth: Human Population

1. Habitat Destruction Occurs when humans destroy native habitats! Solution: restore and conserve natural areas

2. Overharvesting Occurs when wild organisms are harvested at a rate greater than the population can replenish Solution: practice sustainability

3. Invasive species Occurs when species are moved by humans and thrive at the expense of other organisms Solution: Plant native species

4. Pollution Occurs when contaminants enter the environment Solution: EPA guidelines

5. Ozone Depletion Occurs when chlorofluorocarbons break the chemical bonds of ozone Solution: Global ban of CFC’s

6. Global Climate Change CO2(g) & global temperatures are increasing Polar ice caps are melting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaKqhRTqSlg Sea levels are rising http://geology.com/sea-level-rise/ Solution: alternative energy

Overview of Human Impact Humans use ecosystem services to live The human population rose exponentially Humans have altered natural biogeochemical cycles Humans must protect these biogeochemical cycles upon which our survival is dependent