Biomagnification When chemicals (like pesticides) are added to the ecosystem, they get into the food web… Pesticides are often NONBIODEGRADABLE, this means they DO NOT BREAK DOWN!!

As animals eat other animals, the chemicals build up in their body…causing serious illness or death!! DDT (a spray to kill mosquitoes) caused the death of most Bald Eagles – putting them on the Endangered Species List for 40 years (1967-2007)

Even the ones HUMANS are a part of! This can affect ANY food chain!! Even the ones HUMANS are a part of!

Biological Magnification

Biological Controls Using a natural predator is an environmentally friendly way to control pests!! No chemicals added into the ecosystem!

BUT BEWARE!! You need to be careful when adding a species into an environment…they could TAKE OVER!! Cane Toad

Global Warming!!

Greenhouse Effect vs. Global Warming ☼ NORMAL trapping of some of the Sun’s heat ☼ Keeps our planet warm enough to support life Global Warming ☼The thickening of the atmosphere with greenhouse gasses (CO2, CH4 and N2O) ☼More of the Sun’s heat gets trapped…increasing the planet’s temperature.

Causes of Global Warming Two main causes for higher levels of CO2 1. Increased burning of fossil fuels (cars, factories, etc.) 2. Increased deforestation is limiting the conversion of CO2 back into O2 for us to breathe

An Inconvenient Truth http://learningaboutpolitics.eu/greeksite/tag/climate-change/

So What!?! Some of the consequences of global warming: Spread of disease As northern countries warm, disease carrying insects migrate north, bringing plague and disease with them. Warmer Waters – More Hurricanes As the temperature of oceans rises, so will the probability of more frequent and stronger hurricanes.

Increased Probability and Intensity of Droughts and Heat Waves Although some areas of Earth will become wetter due to global warming, other areas will suffer serious droughts and heat waves. Africa will receive the worst of it, with more severe droughts also expected in Europe. Water is already a dangerously rare commodity in Africa, and according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, global warming will exacerbate the conditions and could lead to conflicts and war.

The ice caps melting is a four-pronged danger. Polar Ice Caps Melting The ice caps melting is a four-pronged danger. First, it will raise sea levels. With all glaciers melted, the seas would rise about 230 feet. Second, melting ice caps will throw the global ecosystem out of balance. The ice caps are fresh water, and when they melt they will desalinate the ocean, or in plain English – make it less salty. The desalinization of the Gulf current will "screw up" ocean currents, which regulate temperatures.

Third, temperature rises and changing landscapes in the Arctic Circle will endanger several species of animals. Only the most adaptable will survive. Fourth, global warming could increase with the ice caps gone. Ice caps are white, and reflect sunlight, much of which is reflected back into space, further cooling Earth. If the ice caps melt, the only reflector is the ocean. Darker ocean absorbs sunlight, further warming the Earth.

Desertification of Soil Other Consequences Floods Stronger Storms Wildfires Desertification of Soil

Loss of Biodiversity & Habitats Species Extinction Diminished Food & Water Supply Death of Phytoplankton Phytoplankton do MORE THAN 50% of the planets photosynthesis!!

Time to Change Your Thinking!?!

How Do We Fix These Issues? We will talk about this when we get back from the break!! How can YOU reduce your human footprint?