1. Human Issues, Impacts, & Solutions I

2. Issue: Invasive Species

3. Possible Solutions: Pay attention to bioindicators
Species that are sensitive to change
Show early warning signals of environmental problems

4. Issue: Biomagnification

5. Possible Solutions
Banning of toxic pollutants (worst ones have already been banned, like DDT)
Regulate or even eliminate processes that create toxins (ex. Burning Coal)

6. (a) In 1991, before restoration
Figure 55.17
Figure A gravel and clay mine site in New Jersey before and after restoration.
(a) In 1991, before restoration
(b) In 2000, near the completion of restoration 6

7. Concentration of soluble uranium (M)
Figure 55.18 6 5 4 3 2 1
Concentration of soluble uranium (M)
Figure Bioremediation of groundwater contaminated with uranium at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee. 50
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200
250
300
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Days after adding ethanol 7

8. Bioremediation is the use of living organisms to detoxify ecosystems
- The organisms most often used are prokaryotes, fungi, or plants
Biological augmentation uses organisms to add essential materials to a degraded ecosystem

9. Issue: Habitat Loss

11. Possible Solutions:
Conservation Biology: identify, protect, and maintain areas at risk.
Restoration Biology: rebuilding damaged ecosystems
Ecotourism: educates travelers about ecosystem while raising funds for conservation
Artificial corridors promote dispersal and help sustain populations

12. Issue: Climate Change

13. Possible Solutions Eliminate the burning of fossil fuels
Difficult because fossil fuels make much of our daily activity possible
Carpool or use public transportation!
Buy local
Making products burns fossil fuels. Transportation burns fossil fuels. Going to the store to shop burns fossil fuels.
Wind Power, Solar Power, Hydropower?

14. Issue: Ozone Layer

15. Possible Solutions
Ban on use of CFC products such as propellants and coolants
Limit use of air conditioners when possible

16. Issue: Acid Rain

17. Possible Solutions Again, reduce/eliminate use of fossil fuels!
Liming: (expensive) process that adds limestone to acidic lakes to “cancel out” acidity
- Short term solution

18. Issue: Ocean Pollution

19. Possible Solutions PREVENTION Use biodegradable products
Watch where you throw away/recycle your plastics