The Human Impact on the Environment

Biodiversity - The total of all the different species living in a given area.

Where do we find the greatest biodiversity? RAINFOREST

Biodiversity = Stability The greater the biodiversity the greater the stability of an ecosystem.

Ecosystems will have a greater chance of maintaining equilibrium over a long period of time if they have (1) organisms imported by humans from other environments (2) a sudden change in climate (3) a diversity of organisms (4) predators eliminated from the food chains

Threats to Biodiversity (-) Habitat destruction Deforestation Global Climate Change Species Exploitation Species Extinction

Amazon Deforestation

Deforestation Upsets Carbon Cycle More CO2 into atmosphere Less O2 into the atmosphere

Slash and Burn

Extinction vs. Endangered Species Extinction is when a species is completely wiped out of its habitat Endangered species is when a species’ population is declining rapidly and they are close to extinction

Extinct Species

Endangered Species

Every hour a species becomes extinct!

Is that OK with you?

Long Island’s own – Piping Plover

Why is Biodiversity important to me? Most of our pharmaceuticals or medicines come from plants, animals, and fungi that are found in the rainforest.

One irreversible effect of both deforestation and water pollution on the environment is the (1) extinction of species (2) thinning of the ozone shield (3) depletion of atmospheric carbon dioxide levels (4) increase in renewable resources

What can we do about protecting biodiversity? (+) Plant trees Protect species with laws about poaching Stop deforestation Protect habitats

Human activities have had a major impact on biodiversity Human activities have had a major impact on biodiversity. Scientists cannot solve this problem alone. Concerned individuals need to be involved in restoring and maintaining biodiversity. Explain how a loss of biodiversity today can affect the survival of humans in the future. State one specific action that you as a student can take in your community to help maintain or increase biodiversity. [1]

CO2 can increase with deforestation. O2 can decrease. Lack of medicines Shortage of food

Environmental club – clean up trash Recycle Conserve energy Preserve habitats

Which ecosystem is more stable a potato field or a forest?

The Tragedy of the Commons

Renewable Resources These are resources that can regenerate or replace themselves. Trees – if you cut own down another can grow! Clean energies

Non-renewable Resources A resource that can NOT be replaced or replenished by natural processes Fossil Fuels (oil, gas, coal)

In order to reduce consumption of nonrenewable resources, humans could (1) burn coal to heat houses instead of using oil (2) heat household water with solar radiation (3) increase industrialization (4) use a natural-gas grill to barbecue instead of using charcoal

To Drill or Not to Drill!

Alaskan Caribou

Alaskan People

Over the past few decades, many oil companies have discovered oil below the seafloor near the coasts of many states. Some states, however, refuse to permit offshore oil drilling, fearing it might damage the environment. Discuss both sides of this issue. In your answer, be sure to: state one way in which offshore oil drilling might have a long-term negative effect on the environment [1] state one way in which offshore oil drilling could benefit society [1]

Destroy habitats for marine organisms (-) Water Pollution(-)

Use domestic instead of foreign (+) Create jobs (+) Increase oil supply (+) Keeps prices low (+)

Sustainable Use of Resources Using natural resources in a way that doesn’t deplete them Plant a tree for every one cut down Use biofuels Alternative energies

Acid Rain Causes: burning of fossil fuels and factories with smoke stacks release sulfur into the air making precipitation acidic.

Acid Rain Effects Destroys plant tissues Destroys aquatic ecosystems Destroys many statues

Acid Rain on pH scale

Acid Rain Solutions Create laws that limit emissions from smoke stacks. Create laws that mandate (force) factory owners to use scrubbers on smoke stacks Use cleaner fuel sources

Most smoke stacks now have scrubbers!

Increase in the average temperature of the biosphere Global Climate Change Increase in the average temperature of the biosphere

The Evidence In the past 120 years the average global temperature has risen .5 degrees Celsius The 1990’s was the hottest decade on record

The Projections Computer models suggest that the average global temperatures will increase by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius by 2050.

The Cause of Climate Change Increased amounts of CO2 that enters the atmosphere, from burning of fossil fuels Increased amounts of greenhouse gases like methane

The Effects of Climate Change Polar ice caps will melt causing massive flooding

The Effects of Climate Change More severe weather systems or storms

The Effects of Climate Change Increased distribution of insects that carry deadly diseases - MALARIA

The Effects of Climate Change The environmental change favors certain species like rodents, weeds, and insects

The Effects of Climate Change Increased droughts

Solutions for Climate Change Create laws that limit Carbon dioxide emissions – The Kyoto Treaty Use hybrid cars Limit your energy consumption Educate people about the issues

Solutions for Climate Change Use of alternative energies Wind farms Solar farms Geothermal energy Nuclear energy

Wind Farms

Solar Farms

Geothermal Energy

Nuclear Energy

Pros and Cons of Nuclear Energy Little greenhouse gas emissions Readily available technology Huge amount of energy is generated from one single plant

Pros and Cons of Nuclear Energy Risk of radioactive disaster Radioactive waste Heats up surrounding water often harming the ecosystem

Ozone Depletion Ozone layer protects the earth from harmful UV rays

Without Ozone

Cause of Ozone Depletion Emission of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) into the atmosphere

Effect of Ozone Depletion Increase UV rays increases the skin cancer rates

Effect of Ozone Depletion Other species of plants and animals may also be affected by UV radiation. The species genes will mutate sometimes causing cancer, death, or infertility.

Solution to Ozone Depletion The use of CFC’s was banned by international law – Montreal Protocol of 1989

Ozone hole today!

1) Hydrocarbons Reduce Pesticide Use Reduce Auto exhaust 2) Sulfur Dioxide Reduce burning fossil fuels 3) Carbon Dioxide Reduce car use Reduce deforestation 4) CFC’s Use alternatives to CFC’s

Organisms will have to adapt to the new environment Without an ozone, organisms are not protected by harmful UV rays.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmU7etSYYqI Invasive Species

Invasive Species Apparently harmless animals and plants that are transported around the world. In their new habitats invasive species reproduce rapidly because they lack predators that keep their population in check.

Purple Loosestrife Brought to America from Europe in the 1800’s as an ornamental plant. Destroys native wetland ecosystems

Purple Loosestrife No herbivores eat this flower so it grows very rapidly and displaces native plant species. Native cattails are endangered because Purple Loosestrife is taking up its space!

Zebra Mussels Brought over on cargo ships during the 1980’s and are destroying the Great Lakes ecosystems

Zebra Mussels

Gypsy Moths A native of Europe they were brought accidentally to the US in the 1880’s They defoliate native trees like aspens

Sea Lamprey Brought over from Europe on cargo ships the Sea Lamprey has killed many native fish in the Great Lakes

Sea Lamprey attach to other fish and “suck” out their guts!

Control of Invasive Species Biological Control – using a predator from its homeland THAT WILL ONLY EAT THE TARGET SPECIES to kill native species or at least control it.

Leaf Eating Beetles and Purple Loosestrife 1 Year After Beetles Introduced Before Beetles Introduced

Pesticide Use and Fertilizer Use

Pesticide & Fertilizer Use Pesticides are used to kill insects and protect crops/plants Fertilizers are used to increase the growth rate of crops/plants

Ecological Problems with Pesticides Pesticides are dangerous, harmful chemicals that trickle down into ground water aquifers.

Biological Magnification Chemicals accumulate or build up as it goes up the food chain often becoming lethal

Biological Magnification Pregnant women are told not to eat seafood due to biological magnification of chemicals that can be harmful to the fetus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5P-UoKLxlA&sns=em

DDT Biomagnification and the Bald Eagle DDT a pesticide to kill mosquitoes Harmed the shells of Bald Eagles bringing them close to extinction

DDT Pesticide Wide scale use of DDT banned in 1972 Stockholm Convention Limited use today as disease vector control The Bald Eagles are BACK!

Ecological Problems with Fertilizers Fertilizers contain high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus that runs off into streams and marine ecosystems causing algae blooms.

Algae Bloom

Solutions- Eat Organic! Super Happy Organic Farming Family

1) No competition/no predators/ lg food supply 2) pass laws/inspections/increase public knowledge/stop illegal animal smuggling 3) Loosestrife  crowded out other plants Mussels  outcompete native species Snake  ate birds eggs and decrease bird populations

7) Transfer pathogens (germs) – Spread Disease Imported species can displace native species Increased competition for food or habitat