1. affected by human needs and wants?
HUMAN IMPACT
SC.912.L Predict the impact of individuals on environmental systems, and examine how human lifestyles affect sustainability.
Essential Question:
How is the environment
affected by human needs and wants?

2. Video Questions: Where did the spill take place?
How many gallons of oil were pouring into the ocean a day?
How many miles of shore line were affected?
Which organisms in the food chain are affected?

3. Deepwater Horizon – oil spill
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4. Human Impact on the Environment
Humans depend on Earth’s nutrient and energy cycles for survival.
Production of materials for desired items use natural resources
Nonrenewable resources – Oil and coal
Renewable resources – Wind and solar energy, Plants, animals, water and land
Overuse of resources and the production of waste can cause a disruption in the energy and nutrient cycles of Earth.

5. Ecological Footprint
Amount of land necessary to produce and maintain enough food, water, shelter, energy, and waste
Size depends on: amount of resource use and the amount of waste produced

6. Human Impact and Ecological Footprint
More affluent societies use greater amounts of resources than others.
They will have a larger ecological footprint
Increase in energy consumption
Greater use of raw materials

7. Human Impact on the Environment
Poor societies have a different effect on the environment:
Overuse of land depletes/erodes soil
Limited sanitation can contaminate water supply
More land is needed for survival – negative effects

8. Stop and Think- left
How could a renewable resource such as water become a nonrenewable resource?

9. Human Impact on Biodiversity
greater diversity = greater stability
Biodiversity:
The wide array and assortment of species that are found in any given ecosystem.
Greater biodiversity offers:
more food resources
more habitats
more resilience
in face of environmental change

10. Why is biodiversity so important?
Biodiversity increases the stability of an ecosystem
Biodiversity contributes to the health of the biosphere.

11. Human Impact on the Environment
Invasive Species
Invasive Species
Non-native species organisms that does not naturally belong; introduced to an ecosystem intentionally or accidentally.
Threats of invasive species
May be well suited to the new environment
May not have any predators or other limiting factors
May out compete native species for resources (food or land)
May cause economic damage
May physically dominate or overtake waterways and manmade structures.

12. Human Impact on the Environment
Invasive Species
Examples:
Burmese Python in the Florida Everglades
Release by pet owners
Similar climate of a tropical jungle southeastern Asia.
No natural predators
Reducing biodiversity of Everglades (endangered bird species)
Kudzu in the United States
From southeaster Asia
Introduced as an ornamental tropical house plant and prevent soil erosion.
Hardy plant that smothers other plants and organisms where it grows.

13. Human Impact on Loss in Biodiversity
Causes
Effects
Pollution
Loss of habitat
Construction
Use of resources
Habitat fragmentation
Barrier forms prevent an organism from accessing its entire home range (roads, fences, walls).
Reduction in stability of ecosystem
Permanent loss of organisms
Medicines
Technology
Food sources
Habitats

15. Negative Human Impact on the Environment
Building/construction
Deforestation- clearing/cutting of trees reduces natural habitats
Loss of biodiversity- species extinction
Energy needs
Dependent on nonrenewable resources such as oil and coal; impact on climate change adding to global warming
Mining of raw materials
destroys land, soil erosion
Air & water pollution
Manufacturing and increased dependence on cars

16. Stop and think- left
How would loss of large areas of forest impact the
Carbon cycle?
Water cycle?

17. Protecting Natural Resources- left
Are government policies and regulations that protect our environment necessary?
How do governmental actions help preserve natural habitats and protect our resources?
Nationwide, automobiles are the major source of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and cancer-causing toxins. What can be done on a government and individual level to decrease these emissions?

18. Sustainable Practices
Sustainable development
A practice in which natural resources are used and managed in a way that meets the current needs without hurting future generations

19. Sustainable Practices
Sustainable agriculture – use of smaller amounts of pesticides, fertilizers, water, and energy during food production
Buying local produces reduces transportation needs to bring food to market
Recycling programs – reduce use of petroleum, water, wood, and nonrenewable resources

20. Sustainable Practices
Sustainable forestry – planting of replacement trees and federal government protection of certain wildlife areas
Use of more efficient and alternative energy practices
Urban planning – use of mass transportation, green buildings, and adding parks and open spaces

21. Sustainable practices in the fishing industry:
Rotation of areas that are being fished
Reviewing fishing gear
Fishing bans/laws
Harvest reduction

22. Protecting Natural Resources
Creating government polices and regulations to help preserve and protect the future of our planet.
Environmental Protection Agency
Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act
National Park Service
Creating national parks and protected areas