Conservation Biology

Environmental Science The study of the interaction between humans and their own environment

Major Threats to Biodiversity Habitat loss Human alteration of habitat is the single greatest threat to biodiversity Introduced species: invasive/nonnative/exotic species Overexploitation: harvest wild plants/animals Global change: alter climate, atmosphere, & ecological systems  reduce Earth’s capacity to sustain life

Biodiversity Hot Spots Contain 50% of the earths organisms, yet only cover about 2.6% of our planet's surface

Human Impacts on the Environment Pollution Introduction of contaminants into a natural environment that causes instability, disorder, harm to the ecosystem Air Soil Thermal Water

Three factors determine a pollutant’s severity waste material that pollutes air, water or soil Three factors determine a pollutant’s severity its chemical nature the concentration the persistence

Effects of Pollution Smog combination of smoke and fog, contains nitrogen and sulfur oxides small particles, and ozone

Acid Rain Result of burned fossil fuels from factories and autos React with water to make it acidic (pH 4 or less) Damages buildings, bridges, ecosystems, bodies of water, plants, animals Range of pH Across the US

Thinning Ozone Layer Ozone (O3): form of oxygen that is different than what we breathe in upper atmosphere: absorbs dangerous UV radiation in lower atmosphere: causes pollution and respiratory problems result of CFC’s released into air from propellants and refrigerants

Climate Change (Global Warming) Increase in global temperature due to greenhouse gases in upper atmosphere (CO2, methane) Result of burning fossil fuels, deforestation Effects: rapidly changing weather patterns, melting of polar ice caps, rising sea levels, droughts, increased intensity of storms

Effect of ocean pH on Marine Species

Effect of Increased CO2 on Reef Biodiversity

Sea Ice Change

Eutrophication Mississippi basin dead zone (red) Process where a body of water no longer contains enough oxygen to support species naturally found in it Excess nitrogen from agriculture enters aquatic ecosystems Algae and bacteria bloom/die  reduce oxygen  fish and invertebrates die Organisms die due to lack of oxygen - hypoxia- low oxygen - anoxia- no oxygen Mississippi basin dead zone (red)

Deforestation Removal of trees from forests for lumber, farms, mines, or development Leads to resource depletion Affects the carbon cycle: not enough CO2 being removed or O2 being produced Reduces biodiversity in ecosystems

One side of dam is flooded, other side loses water source: Dams Environmental Issues One side of dam is flooded, other side loses water source: Soil Erosion Lack of sediments downstream erodes channel Loss of nutrients and resources to ecosystem Species Extinction Due to flooding or loss of water Fish species die out Species dependent on water die Disease Sitting water breeding ground for disease harboring insects

Wise use of resources to protect and preserve their supply Conservation Wise use of resources to protect and preserve their supply Conservation Biology Science to identify, protect, and manage natural areas that still retain much biodiversity

The biosphere has a limited capacity to renew or repair itself. Human Resource Use The biosphere has a limited capacity to renew or repair itself. Primary Production: total energy stored through photosynthesis Ecological footprint: human impact on ecosystems Includes use of land and water people’s production of wastes and pollution Sustainability: ability to meet human needs so the human population can survive indefinitely - develop new technologies for living - slow or reverse human population growth - reduce consumption of resources

Sustainable Development Techniques Finding ways to use resources that do not destroy or deplete resources for future generations Crop Rotation practice of growing a series of dissimilar types of crops in the same area in sequential seasons Reduces soil erosion and depletion of minerals from soil

Reforestation restocking of existing forests and woodlands which have been depleted soaks up pollution and dust from the air, rebuild natural habitats reduces global warming since forests facilitate absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide

Contour Plowing plowing across a slope following its elevation contour lines rows formed slows water run-off during rainstorms to prevent soil erosion and allows the water time to settle into the soil ruts run perpendicular to slopes

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