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