Cycles & the Effects of Humans Effects of Agriculture The Loss of Biodiversity Impact of Global Warming author unknown address unknown accessed unknown

Effects of Agriculture A. The Nitrogen Cycle B. Use of Fertilizers C. Dangers of Pesticides Everything and more http://everything-more.blogspot.com/2008/02/sustainable-agriculture.html 16.02.09

A. The Nitrogen Cycle 1. The nitrogen cycle involves: a. N2 cannot be used by plants or animals, they rely on soil nitrates b. nitrogen fixation (production of nitrates) can be carried out by some bacteria, lightning, or the Haber process_ author unknown address unknown accessed unknown

c. bacteria convert protein to ammonium or nitrate d. denitrification converts nitrates back to N2 _ Anoxkaldnes http://www.anoxkaldnes.com/Eng/c1prodc1/denitrification.htm accessed 16.02.09 Play

Think about it! B. Use of Fertilisers What are some benefits to the current methods used in farming? Think about it! B. Use of Fertilisers 1. Farmers may use fertilisers containing nitrogen to make proteins (enzymes) a. replaces minerals washed away by rain b. help crops grow faster and larger c. get higher yields of produce_ Producepedia http://www.producepedia.com/eggplant.php accessed 16.02.09 Think

a. eutrophication- algal bloom depletes water of oxygen 2. Leaching (run off) of excess nitrogen fertilisers may damage aquatic ecosystems a. eutrophication- algal bloom depletes water of oxygen b. kills plants and increases bacteria c. may release toxins_ Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:EutrophicationEutrophisationEutrophierung.jpg accessed 16.02.09

3. Organic fertilisers are an alternative to the use of nitrogen fertilisers_ Stuartmill Farm http://www.stuartmillfarm.com/Our%20Services.html accessed 16.02.09

C. Dangers of Pesticides 1. Farmers may need to use pesticides to control pests a. insects eat leaves of crops b. fungus rots produce c. pesticides prevent crops from being eaten or decayed d. increases yields from crops_ flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/imarsman/20135174/ accessed 16.02.09

2. Using pesticides that kill many different kinds of organisms may endanger other living organisms a. condor b. grebe_ Squidoo http://www.squidoo.com/thecaliforniacondor accessed 16.02.09

3. The use of DDT to kill mosquitoes leads to biological magnification a. amplified as it passed through food chains b. living matter is used for raw materials or burned c. pesticide remains concentrated in the tissues_ author unknown address unknown accessed unknown

4. There are alternative methods of pest control a. biological control using predators of the pest (ladybug eats aphids) b. genetically modified plants_ flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/astanse/3010621684/ accessed 17.02.09

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The Loss of Biodiversity A. The Water Cycle B. Acid Rain C. The Point of Extinction author unknown address unknown accessed unknown

A. Water Cycle 1. The water cycle involves: a. water evaporates from land (soil and trees) and water bodies b. water vapour condenses as it goes into the atmosphere c. water falls from clouds as rain, hail, or snow (precipitation) d. runoff creates ponds, lakes, and aquifers_ author unknown address unknown accessed unknown

2. Deforestation can cause soil erosion and flooding a. lack of trees reduces 1) windbreak leading to erosion of soil 2) evaporation through transpiration_ Encyclopedia Brittanica http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic-art/155854/100353/Smoldering-remains-of-a-plot-of-deforested-land-in-the accessed 16.02.09

b. water not absorbed by roots creates excessive runoff c. running water carries soil and nutrients away d. overloads rivers and lakes causing flooding_ New Your Times http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/12/world/africa/12flood.html?n=Top/News/Science/Topics/Global%20Warming accessed 17.02.09

B. Acid Rain 1. Sulphur dioxide is produced by burning fossil fuels a. sulfer dioxide + water  sulfuric acid (acid rain)_ Wheresmyamerica http://wheresmyamerica.wordpress.com/2007/08/26/i-cant-see-my-america/ accessed 16.02.09

a. low pH damages photosynthetic tissue of trees 2. Acid rain produced from sulphur dioxide has devastating effects on living organisms a. low pH damages photosynthetic tissue of trees b. washes essential minerals out of soil c. inhibits decomposition d. washes aluminum (toxic) into rivers and lakes_ author unknown address unknown accessed unknown

C. The Point of Extinction What are some endangered species you have heard of? Think about it! C. The Point of Extinction 1. Current estimates indicate we may now be losing one plant and one animal species every 30 minutes a. giant pandas, tigers, polar bears, whales and dolphins, rhinos, elephants, marine turtles and great apes_ author unknown address unknown accessed unknown Think Web

a. reduce hunting as a source of pest control 2. Humans need to conserve endangered species and their natural habitats a. reduce hunting as a source of pest control b. prevent commercial exploitation by poachers c. preservation, reclamation, and creation of lost habitats_ zap events http://www.themed-event.co.uk/themed-events/party-themes3/rainforest-theme.php accessed 17.02.09

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Impact of Global Warming A. The Carbon Cycle B. The Greenhouse Effect C. Global Warming Zastavki http://www.zastavki.com/eng/comments.php?item=11311 accessed 16.02.09

Think about it! A. The Carbon Cycle 1. The carbon cycle involves: Explain how it is possible for carbon to go from one organism to another? Think about it! A. The Carbon Cycle 1. The carbon cycle involves: a. respiration by animals (and plants) produces carbon dioxide b. photosynthesis by plants uses up carbon dioxide c. carbon dioxide dissolves in water and settles d. decomposition of dead organisms releases carbon dioxide_ author unknown address unknown accessed unknown Think

e. fossilization or organic matter traps carbon in earth f. burning fossil fuels produces carbon dioxide_ Health Hype http://www.healthhype.com/category/environmental-health accessed 17.02.09

B. The Greenhouse Effect 1. Greenhouse gases trap infrared radiation (heat) close to the Earth’s surface a. increased as greenhouse gasses are raised b. carbon dioxide due to combustion of fossil fuels c. methane produced by ruminants (cows) and swamp gas d. CFC’s from aerosols and refrigerants_ UNEP http://www.grida.no/publications/vg/africa/page/3111.aspx accessed 16.02.09 Play

2. Deforestation can also increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere a. removal of woodland reduces the amount of plants available to photosynthesize_ University of Georgia http://www.gly.uga.edu/railsback/CTW2.html accessed 16.02.09

C. Global Warming 1. There are many ecological impacts that result from increased temperatures on earth a. greater climate extremes- stronger winds, heavier rainfalls, and unseasonable weather_ Hurricane Disasters Live http://www.hurricanedisasterslive.com/HURRICANE-KATRINA-1-2005.html accessed 16.02.09

b. melting of polar ice changes density of sea water and raises sea levels_ Bird Holidays http://www.birdholidays.co.uk/Spitsbergen_birdwatching_tour_polar_bear_photo_page_1.htm accessed 16.02.09

c. evaporation of water from fertile land forming deserts_ New Mexico State University http://spectre.nmsu.edu/media/photos2.lasso?i=102 accessed 16.02.09

d. disruption of delicate ecosystem balances and increased spread of pests_ Colorado Confidential http://coloradoconfidential.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=D6D88732E94FF23E09FED3FFFC7DBF2F?diaryId=2237 accessed 16.02.09

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