Human Ecology Positive Aspects

EPA http://www.epa.gov/earthday/history.htm#1

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* People are becoming increasingly aware of the negative effects of some of their activities on the environment. As a result, they are making many efforts to correct past damage and avoid future harmful effects.

Population Control: methods of controlling the human reproductive rate have been, and continue to be, developed. Ex) family planning

Conservation of Resources: In an attempt to reduce the loss of valuable agricultural land, reforestation and cover-cropping are serving as erosion controls.

Strip Cropping

Strip Cropping

Strip Cropping/Windbreaks

Measures have been taken to conserve water, fossil fuels (oil, coal, and natural gas).

Wind Power

Solar Power

Solar Power

Hydroelectric Power

Geothermal Power

Geothermal Power

Fuel Cells http://science.howstuffworks.com/fuel-cell2.htm

Reduce Reuse Recycle

The economic significance of recycling is now being realized The economic significance of recycling is now being realized. In many states, the recycling of metals, glass, and paper are now mandated by law.

Along with maintaining valuable resources, the recycling of materials is reducing the need for landfills.

Pollution Controls: Attempts are being made to control air and water pollution by law and by the development of new techniques for limiting pollution from cars, factories and sanitation.

68 miles per gallon of gasoline (EPA highway estimate)

Some examples of these laws include: Laws In recent years, new and tougher laws which regulate and guide the use of natural habitats have been enacted throughout the country. Some examples of these laws include:

The Endangered Species Act signed into law by President Richard Nixon on December 28, 1973 Designed to protect critically imperiled species from extinction as a "consequence of economic growth and development untempered by adequate concern and conservation" The U.S. Supreme Court found that "the plain intent of Congress in enacting" the ESA "was to halt and reverse the trend toward species extinction, whatever the cost.“ administered by two federal agencies, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The Clean Air Act 1970 comprehensive federal law that regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources. authorized EPA to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to protect public health and public welfare and to regulate emissions of hazardous air pollutants. set and achieve NAAQS in every state by 1975 in order to address the public health and welfare risks posed by certain widespread air pollutants. Directed states to develop state implementation plans (SIPs), applicable to appropriate industrial sources in the state, in order to achieve these standards. The Act was amended in 1977 and 1990 primarily to set new goals (dates) for achieving attainment of NAAQS since many areas of the country had failed to meet the deadlines.

The Clean Water Act 1972 established the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards for surface waters. The basis of the CWA was enacted in 1948 and was called the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, but the Act was significantly reorganized, expanded, and renamed “The Clean Water Act" in 1972. Under the CWA, the EPA has implemented pollution control programs such as setting wastewater standards for industry and water quality standards for all contaminants in surface waters.

1985 Farm Act is a Federal law which helps in the efforts to preserve natural wetlands. Other Federal laws were passed in the 1980’s such as the Clean Air Act giving the EPA more power to regulate industrial air pollutants, the Clean Water Act, and the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Species Preservation: Some efforts to sustain endangered species have included habitat protection (wildlife refuges and national parks) and wildlife management (game laws and fisheries).

Some animals which were once endangered are presently successfully reproducing and increasing their numbers. In the Northeast U.S., efforts to reintroduce peregrine falcons into the environment have been successful.

However, the future of some other species is still in doubt. In the south and West, the wild populations of whooping cranes, bald eagles, egrets, and the American bison have been improved. However, the future of some other species is still in doubt.

Biological Control can be used against them IMPORTED SPECIES HAVE NO NATURAL ENEMIES Biological Control can be used against them

Biological Control: The biological control of insects continues to be encouraged, rather than the use of man-made pesticides.

Examples include: the use of sex hormones and natural parasites. This method is less likely to: affect those species that are beneficial to humans, disrupt food webs, and contaminate the land. Examples include: the use of sex hormones and natural parasites.

Parasites (parasitoids)

Wasp lays Eggs inside Host egg

Lygus lineolaris the “Tarnished plant bug “

Peristenus digoneutis laying an egg inside Lygus lineolaris

Predators

Bigeyed bug nymph (Geocoris pallens) feeding on corn earworm egg

LADY BUG Eats aphids

Pathogens Gypsy moth cadaver hanging from tree trunk. It was infected with the fungus Entomophaga maimaiga

Agasicles hygrophila Alligatorweed Flea Beetle feeds on alligator weed Weed Feeders Agasicles hygrophila Alligatorweed Flea Beetle feeds on alligator weed

Biological Control Natural enemies imported to control pests Parasites, Predators Pathogens, Weed eaters Pheremones Crop rotation Release of sterilized males

C. The Future  While human technological advances have led to a higher standard of living for many, the environment has often suffered.

Through a greater awareness of ecological principles, the wise use of our energy resources, and the concern for future generations not only of humans, but also of all species, each individual can help to assure that there will be suitable environments for succeeding generations.

Think Globally Act Locally

Carbon Sequestration Experiment Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, 1998

Earth Day Earth Day

The End