Ricketts Point Human Impact

School Groups

Conservation and Community Groups

Recreational Users

Cafe

Bike Riders

Car Users

Beach Goers

Snorklers & Scuba Divers

Dog Owners

Boat Owners

What is biodiversity? Biodiversity is the variety of all living things; the different plants, animals and micro organisms, the genetic information they contain and the ecosystems they form

Threats: Air Pollution Pollution is any undesirable factor added to the air, water, or soil. Smog is one type of air pollution. It is caused when sunlight interacts with pollutants in the air The pollutants are produced by fossil fuel emissions

Threats: Climate Change

Threats: Water Pollution Pollution can put entire freshwater ecosystems at risk. Indicator species provide a sign of an ecosystem’s health. a. amphibians b. top predators

Threats: Biomagnification Causes an accumulation of toxins in the food chain. Pollutants can move up the food chain. Predators eat contaminated prey Pollution accumulates at each stage of the food chain Top consumers, including humans, are most affected

Threats: Loss of habitat Habitat fragmentation prevents an organism from accessing its entire home range. a. occurs when a barrier forms within the habitat b. often caused by human development

Threats: Introduced species Introduced species can disrupt stable relationships in an ecosystem. An introduced species is one that is brought to an ecosystem by humans, e.g.: accidental (sea star) purposeful (foxes)

Threats: introduced species Invasive species can have an environmental and economic impact. Invasive species often push out native species. Eg. the Bilby – competes for living space and food

Solution: Protecting the environment There are several ways that people can help protect the environment. a. Control population growth b. Develop sustainable technology and practices c. Protect and maintain ecosystems

Solution: Sustainable development Global fisheries have adopted several sustainable practices. Eg. rotation of catches, fishing gear review, harvest reduction and fishing bans