Human Impact on the 
Environment

Technology Changed ecosystems(For the most part in a Negative way)

Unrestricted growth of human population stressed carrying capacity resources are at risk

can be replaced if given enough time Renewable Resources can be replaced if 
given enough time Ex: Fish 
in a lake

Ex: Fossil fuels and minerals Non-Renewable cannot be replaced Ex: Fossil 
fuels and 
minerals

weathering of rocks prevent erosion Natural Ecosystems: 1. Maintain air quality P.S  Respir. O2 CO2 2. Soil Formation weathering of rocks 
prevent erosion

3. Controls Water Cycle Lake decomposition and compost 4. Minerals Transpiration Lake Absorption 4. Minerals decomposition and compost

THREATS TO GLOBAL STABILITY

1.Direct Harvesting destruction or 
removal of species 
from environment Ex: 
Exotic 
Pets

= protected by laws Animals are killed for their body parts Endangered Species = protected by laws

-destroying forests -loss of habitats 2.Deforestation 50% of the 
Rainforest is 
gone since 150 
years ago

3. Invasive Species -a species introduced that is not native to an ecosystem and which causes harm. -this species will compete with native species for resources -they have no natural predators.

Invasive Species -a species introduced that is not native to an ecosystem and which causes harm. -this species will compete with native species for resources -they have no natural predators.

Examples of invasive species - Brown Marmorated Stink Bug -Halyomorpha halys, is native to China, Japan and surrounding countries. 
They were first discovered in the United States in Pennsylvania during the late 1990’s, but no one knows for certain how they were introduced to North America. 
Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) populations are exploding in the absence of their natural predators, and they are quickly becoming a nuisance to people in their homes and to the agriculture industry. -Pterois "Lionfish"
-LionfishLionfish have successfully pioneered the coastal waters of the Atlantic in less than a decade and pose a major threat to reef ecological systems in these areas. They have been described as "one of the most aggressively invasive species on the planet" One likely ecological impact caused by Pterois could be their impact on prey population numbers by directly affecting food web relationships. This could ultimately lead to reef deterioration

4.Industrialization power plants burn fossil fuels POLLUTION!

-runoff from chemicals -acid rain from smoke 5.Pollution a) water pollution -dumping wastes -runoff from chemicals -acid rain from smoke Sewage O2 in H2O

Toxic waste in water 
becomes more 
concentrated as you go 
up the food chain DDT on crops Runs into H20 Plants 0.08 DDT 1.28 DDT 2.28 DDT

Ex: Burning Fossil Fuels b) Air pollution -releasing pollution 
into the air Ex: Burning 
Fossil Fuels

Burning Fossil Fuels 1. Sulfur and 
Nitrogen 
combine with 
moisture in 
air = ACID 
RAIN 3. Global 
warming = 
greenhouse 
effect 
caused by 
CO2 Smog-> Toxic 
Pollutants 
and 
sunlight = 
HAZE 2.

1.)decrease fossil fuels 2 ways to fight global warming: 1.)decrease fossil fuels 2.) plant trees

release of industrial gases 4.Ozone Depletion release of industrial 
gases Ozone Depletion

Leads to- more UV radiation = increase in cancer & plant death CFC's= 
Chloroflorocarbons

6. Land Use -clearing land = decrease in 
resources

SOLUTIONS Technology Environmental Laws Global Awareness Individual Decisions Natural Predators Biological Controls

Preserve Resources 3 R's Reduce Reuse Recycle

Reduce - Avoid using/ use energy efficently Reuse - Use product over again Recycle - processing used materials to make 
new ones