Ecosystem health

Acid Rain

Acid Rain Distribution in the US

Effects of Acid Rain

Too much Nitrogen…. Sewage treatment plants and fertilizers release excess nitrogen into streams and rivers. causes the rapid growth of algae (eutrophication) decreasing dissolved oxygen in the water.

Ozone Layer Ozone - Ozone Hole Peaks Over Antarctica Ozone Hole Peaks Over Antarctica

Global Temperature Too Much CO 2… Too Much CO 2 Greenhouse Effect - greenhouse gases absorb solar energy and trap heat within the atmosphere (like a greenhouse) One result of the Greenhouse Effect is Climate Change (Global Warming) Polar bear Alcatraz: an uncertain future Polar bear Alcatraz: an uncertain future

Biomagnification Increase of toxic substances as you move up the food chain

Disturbances Belize Coral Reef – Belize Coral Reef What two events disturbed the reef in 1998? Paradise Redefined – Paradise Redefined What initially caused the degradation of the coral reef on Polmyra? Can coral regrow? Or recover? What gave the scientists hope on Polmyra?

Do you have an impact on Ecosystem Health? Human Footprint - All the stuff you buy, use, or throw away. Carbon Footprint - measure of the amount of greenhouse gases (CO 2, CH 4 ) released into the atmosphere by a single company, household, or individual

It’s All About Carbon NPR

Calculating Your Carbon Footprint Footprint Calculator Human Consumption Carbon Footprint Calculator

National Geographic Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10

Garbage Patch Lies in the center of the pacific ocean in the N. Pacific Gyre - circular flow of oceanic currents “Swirling ocean of debris” Twice the size of Texas! Plastic to sea life ratios are 6:1

Addicted to Plastics Time Magazine – 1955 “Throwaway Living”

Sustainability long-term maintenance of responsibility for our future generations. What can we do now to make sure our future generations have a “health Earth?”