Ecology History and overview History and overview

The Roots of Ecology

Attitudes of the Past Native Americans- Most native Americans saw people as a part of nature. They taught a reverence for nature. Native Americans- Most native Americans saw people as a part of nature. They taught a reverence for nature. European attitudes- Most early settlers viewed nature as a thing to be used. They looked upon the natural resources of North America as something to supply their needs. European attitudes- Most early settlers viewed nature as a thing to be used. They looked upon the natural resources of North America as something to supply their needs.

Natural resources- In the early years of settlement North America was teeming with forests and animals as far as the eye could see. Natural resources- In the early years of settlement North America was teeming with forests and animals as far as the eye could see. Passenger pigeon- In 1810, the scientist Alexander Wilson noted a flock of passenger pigeons approximately 1 mile wide and 240 miles long ( More than 240 billion birds ). In only 100 years, 1910 the passenger pigeon had been hunted to extinction. Passenger pigeon- In 1810, the scientist Alexander Wilson noted a flock of passenger pigeons approximately 1 mile wide and 240 miles long ( More than 240 billion birds ). In only 100 years, 1910 the passenger pigeon had been hunted to extinction.

Conservation movement Conservationists- By the 1830’s people like Henry David Thoreau were writing about the need to preserve the environment. Groups were founded such as the Appalachian Mountain Club (1876) and the Sierra Club (1892 ). Conservationists- By the 1830’s people like Henry David Thoreau were writing about the need to preserve the environment. Groups were founded such as the Appalachian Mountain Club (1876) and the Sierra Club (1892 ).

Yellowstone National Park was established in 1872 as the first great park of the conservation movement.

Conservation to environmentalism Environmentalism- In the early 1900s’ people began to speak out about human activities that were causing serious damage to the environment. Environmentalism- In the early 1900s’ people began to speak out about human activities that were causing serious damage to the environment. M.C. Marsh- Showed in a scientific study how fish were being hurt by the release of industrial wastes into water sources. M.C. Marsh- Showed in a scientific study how fish were being hurt by the release of industrial wastes into water sources.

Rachel Carson- Published silent springs, a book that discussed the dangers to the environment from using a pesticide known as DDT. Rachel Carson- Published silent springs, a book that discussed the dangers to the environment from using a pesticide known as DDT. Earth Day- Cason and others helped to make the public aware of environmental concerns. This public awareness led to the first earth day on April 22, Earth Day- Cason and others helped to make the public aware of environmental concerns. This public awareness led to the first earth day on April 22, 1970.

Principles of Ecology Ecology- The understanding of how all living things are connected. Ecology- The understanding of how all living things are connected. Organisms- A living thing. Organisms are found in the deepest oceans to the highest mountains Organisms- A living thing. Organisms are found in the deepest oceans to the highest mountains Biosphere- All the part of the earth where living things are found. Biosphere- All the part of the earth where living things are found.

Non-living things in the Environment H2O- Life on earth would be impossible without water. Most organisms are 50 to 90 percent water. H2O- Life on earth would be impossible without water. Most organisms are 50 to 90 percent water. Soil- Formed by the physical and chemical breakdown of rocks. Soil- Formed by the physical and chemical breakdown of rocks. Sun- all living things depend upon the sun for energy, either directly or indirectly. Sun- all living things depend upon the sun for energy, either directly or indirectly.

Temperature- In general, the temperature of an environment depends on the amount of sunlight it gets. Temperature- In general, the temperature of an environment depends on the amount of sunlight it gets.

Relationships within Ecosystems Producers- Organisms, usually plants, that trap energy from the sun in a process called photosynthesis. Producers- Organisms, usually plants, that trap energy from the sun in a process called photosynthesis. Consumers- Organisms that eat other producers or consumers for energy. Consumers- Organisms that eat other producers or consumers for energy. Decomposers- Organisms that break down dead organisms and absorb energy and nutrients from them. Decomposers- Organisms that break down dead organisms and absorb energy and nutrients from them.

Interactions Among Living Things Population- All of the same species living in a given area. Population- All of the same species living in a given area. Community- Many populations interacting within a given area. Community- Many populations interacting within a given area. Ecosystem- All of the living and non-living interacting within a given area. Ecosystem- All of the living and non-living interacting within a given area.

Types of pollution Air- (CFCs), The greenhouse effect, Fossil fuels Air- (CFCs), The greenhouse effect, Fossil fuels Water- Thermal, Toxic metals, Fertilizers, Solvents, Oil Water- Thermal, Toxic metals, Fertilizers, Solvents, Oil Land- Land erosion, Land pollution Land- Land erosion, Land pollution

Love Canal For 11 years, the Hooker Chemicals and Plastics company of Niagara falls, New York, produced hazardous wastes, sealed them in steel drums, and dumped the drums into an old canal called love canal. In 1953, Hooker Chemicals filled the canal with clay and top soil, then sold the land to the Niagara Falls school board. Over the next 25 years, homes and an elementary school were built on the site. For 11 years, the Hooker Chemicals and Plastics company of Niagara falls, New York, produced hazardous wastes, sealed them in steel drums, and dumped the drums into an old canal called love canal. In 1953, Hooker Chemicals filled the canal with clay and top soil, then sold the land to the Niagara Falls school board. Over the next 25 years, homes and an elementary school were built on the site.

By 1977, chemicals began leaking from the corroded steel drums into storm sewers, basements of homes, and the school playground. State officials closed the school and evacuated 239 homes built above the canal. In 1980, Love canal was declared a federal disaster area. By 1991, the total cost to clean up the Love canal and relocate its residents was about $275 million. By 1977, chemicals began leaking from the corroded steel drums into storm sewers, basements of homes, and the school playground. State officials closed the school and evacuated 239 homes built above the canal. In 1980, Love canal was declared a federal disaster area. By 1991, the total cost to clean up the Love canal and relocate its residents was about $275 million.