HUMAN IMPACT

1.Biodiversity is the variety of life in an area that is determined by the number of different species in that area. 2.Biodiversity increases the stability of an ecosystem and contributes to the health of the biosphere.

3. Factors that Threaten Biodiversity Biodiversity and Conservation 3. Factors that Threaten Biodiversity The current high rate of extinction is due to the activities of a single species—Homo sapiens. Humans are changing conditions on Earth faster than new traits can evolve to cope with the new conditions.

Biodiversity and Conservation 4. Overexploitation Overexploitation, or excessive use, of species that have economic value is a factor increasing the current rate of extinction. Bison Passenger pigeons Ocelot Rhinoceros Rhinoceros Ocelot

Destruction of Habitat Biodiversity and Conservation 5. Habitat Loss If a habitat is destroyed or disrupted, the native species might have to relocate or they will die. Destruction of Habitat The destruction of habitat, such as the clearing of tropical rain forests, has a direct impact on global biodiversity.

Biodiversity and Conservation 6. Pollution Pollution and atmospheric changes threaten biodiversity and global stability. Biological magnification is the increasing concentration of toxic substances in organisms as trophic levels increase in a food chain or food web.

7. Acid Precipitation (Rain) Biodiversity and Conservation 7. Acid Precipitation (Rain) Sulfur and nitrogen compounds react with water and other substances in the air to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid. Acid precipitation removes calcium, potassium, and other nutrients from the soil, depriving plants of these nutrients.

Other organisms in the water suffocate. Biodiversity and Conservation Biodiversity and Conservation 8. Eutrophication Eutrophication occurs when substances rich in nitrogen and phosphorus flow into waterways, causing extensive algae growth. The algae use up the oxygen supply during their rapid growth and after their deaths during the decaying process. Other organisms in the water suffocate.

Nonnative species that are either intentionally or unintentionally Biodiversity and Conservation 9. Introduced Species Nonnative species that are either intentionally or unintentionally transported to a new habitat are known as introduced species. Introduced species often reproduce in large numbers because of a lack of predators, and become invasive species in their new habitat.

10. Overuse of Natural Resources Biodiversity and Conservation 10. Overuse of Natural Resources The consumption rate of natural resources is not evenly distributed.

11. Greenhouse Effect -Water vapor, carbon dioxide and methane can be found throughout Earth’s atmosphere. These greenhouse gases act as a blanket that slows the release of energy and helps keep the Earth at a temperature that can support life.

-As humans we are producing more greenhouse gases (mostly carbon dioxide) increasing the greenhouse effect and leading to global warming.

-Global warming is believed to be contributing to many ecological disasters such as increased flooding, stronger tropical storms and ice cap melting. Each of these are threats to global biodiversity.