1. AIM: What is the effect of human activity on the biosphere?

2. HUMAN ACTIVITY and its effects on the environment

7. Burning of fossil fuels
List some fossil fuels below the title in your chart:

9. Effect Releases toxic pollutants. Sulfur compounds cause acid rain.
Releases carbon dioxide, possibly increasing the greenhouse effect and causing global warming. (rising sea levels, climate change)

10. Possible Solutions

12. Possible Solutions
Increased use of alternative/renewable energy sources (wind, solar, hydro power)
Conservation (use less energy by….

13. URBAN/SUBURBAN DEVELOPMENT (urban sprawl)

14. EFFECT
Loss of habitat, water can’t infiltrate ground, increased auto use.

15. POSSIBLE SOLUTION Planned development. Housing in cities.
Government can buy land.

16. LOGGING OF RAINFOREST (and burning/clearing for farmland)

17. EFFECTS Increased global warming (forests absorb CO2)
Loss of habitat= extinction= loss of biodiversity

18. POSSIBLE SOLUTION Enforce current laws. Buy and protect land.
Give $ to rainforest nations.

19. Use of artificial fertilizers
EFFECT
Fertilizers can enter and contaminate drinking water supplies (groundwater, reservoirs, lakes).
Fertilizer run-off can cause algae blooms followed by fall of oxygen levels = dead zones in water.

20. Dead Zones:

21. Brown Tides = no oxygen

22. POSSIBLE SOLUTION Use of natural fertilizers (organic farming).
Waste water treatment (sewage systems)

23. Exploitation (over-hunting and fishing)
EFFECTS:
Endangerment/extinction of species.
Loss of biodiversity.
Loss of some fish as food supply.

25. POSSIBLE SOLUTION Fish farms. Fishing limits.
Enforce laws, educate public, provide alternatives.
Breed in captivity and release.

26. Use of pesticides
EFFECTS:
Tainted food.
Infiltration to ground water.

27. Possible Solutions
Use of biological controls (e.g. introducing predators, hormone-scented traps, sterilizing)

28. Introduction of non-native species
EFFECTS:
Disruption of natural ecosystem, loss of native species/biodiversity.

29. Zebra Mussel Infestation

31. Asian Longhorned Beetle

32. :Purple Loosestrife

34. Possible Solutions
Biological controls (introduce preditors, infect with disease, etc.)
Controlling transport of organisms.

35. Misuse of Land

37. Effects: Depletion of soil nutrients. Depletion of vegetation.
Erosion of topsoil.
Desertification.

38. Possible Solutions:
Education of local populations on sustainable agriculture.
Replanting.

39. SUMMARY:
Human activity can upset the ecological balance, having consequences for all living things.
Efforts are needed to limit the impact of human activity.