Chapter 6: Humans in the Biosphere

Daily Objectives Describe human activities that can affect the biosphere. Describe the relationship between resource use and sustainable development.

Effect of Human Activity We affect environment when we: Obtain food Eliminate waste products Build places to live

Effect of Human Activity Humans impact regional and global environments: Agriculture Development Industry This impacts natural resources such as soil, water and the atmosphere.

Agriculture Dependable supply of food that can be stored for future use Monoculture-clearing large areas of land to plant a single highly productive crop annually (Ex. soybean) Providing food for more than 7 billion people-impacts natural resources Fertilizer production and Farm machinery-consume large amounts of fossil fuels.

Examples of Monoculture Canola Oil Soybean

Development Dense human communities produce lots of wastes. If they’re not disposed of correctly they affect air, water and soil. Consumes farmland Habitat fragmentation

Industrial Growth Human lifestyles utilize a great deal of energy to produce and power Energy comes from burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas In the Past - dumped waste directly into air, water and soil

Sustainable Development Goods - things that can be bought and sold and have value in terms of money. Services - processes or actions that produce goods. Ecosystem goods and services are produced by ecosystems and benefit the human economy.

What types of goods and services could be found in this ecosystem?

Ecosystem Goods and Services Many natural and free of charge Breathable air Drinkable water Sometimes we have to pay to produce these goods Ex. Water treatment plants

Water Treatment Plant

Renewable vs. Nonrenewable Resources Can be produced or replaced by healthy ecosystem. Ex. Pine Tree Nonrenewable Natural processes cannot replenish these goods within a reasonable amount of time. Ex. Fossil Fuels (formed from buried organic material over millions of years) ; when depleted they are gone.

Sustainable Resource Use Conscious Way to use resources Provides for human needs while preserving the ecosystem that produces natural resources No harm to soil, water or climate

Sustainable Farming Practices

Review of Daily Objectives What are some human activities that can affect the biosphere? How can resources be used so that we can achieve sustainable development.