1. Ecosystems Humans and the Environment
Chapters 21 and 22
Ecosystems
Humans and the Environment

2. The Biosphere The biosphere is the part of the earth where life exists
The hydrosphere is all of Earth’s ice, water and vapor
The atmosphere is the air blanketing Earth’s solid and liquid surfaces
The geosphere includes all of the features of Earth’s surface (continents, rocks and seafloor) and everything below Earth’s surface

3. The Biosphere (cont’d)
Biotic and abiotic factors interact and affect on another in the biosphere
The Gaia Hypothesis proposes that Earth is a kind of living organism in which the hydrosphere, geosphere, biosphere and atmosphere are interacting systems that maintain one another’s balances.
Examples: deforestation leads to erosion, surplus of CO2 spurs plant growth

4. How does climate affect you?
What crops do we grow in this area of the country?
Do you think other crops would do as well here? Why or why not?

5. Weather vs. Climate
Weather – the day to day condition of earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place
Climate – the average year after year conditions based on temperature and precipitation in a particular region
What affect does the sun have on weather?
What affect does topography have on climate?

6. Climate and Microclimate
Microclimate is a small area within a climate that differs significantly in temperature, rainfall totals, etc.
Examples: near Ohio River, Whidbey Island, rooftop gardens

7. The Influence of Sunlight

8. The Greenhouse Effect
What happens to the inside of a car on a hot day?
The sun unevenly heats the earth’s atmosphere and affects wind and water currents around the globe

9. Other Factors that Shape Climate
Air and water movement, which responds to the uneven heating of Earth’s surface by the sun
Landmasses such as mountain ranges

10. Major Biomes pg 463 Tropical Rain Forest Tropical Dry Forest
Tropical Savannah
Desert
Temperate Grassland
Temperate Woodland and Shrubland
Temperate Forest
Northwestern Coniferous Forest
Boreal Forest (Taiga)
Tundra

11. What Makes a Biome?

12. Biome Map of North America

13. Aquatic Ecosystems
Important components of aquatic ecosystems are temperature, depth, flow and water chemistry
Three types:
Freshwater
Marine
Estuary

14. Aquatic Ecosystems of the US

15. Freshwater Ecosystems
Include the Great Lakes, Lake Champlain, Lake Cumberland, Ohio River, the Everglades
Three types:
Flowing water
Standing water
Characterized by the presence of plankton and phytoplankton
Wetlands

16. Estuaries Wetlands formed where rivers meet the sea
Contain a mixture of fresh and salt water
Detritus is a major player in estuaries
Serve as breeding grounds
Important migratory stops
Examples: Mangrove swamps and salt marshes

18. Marine Ecosystems Photic zone vs Aphotic zone Intertidal zone
Coastal Zone
Coral Reefs
Open Ocean
Benthic Zone

19. Intertidal zone
Oceanic
Zones

20. Changing the Landscape
Everywhere humans have traveled, they have changed the landscape to suit their needs
Introducing invasive species
Overusing resources
How are some of the ways in which we have changed Earth’s layers (biosphere, geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere)?

21. Scientists are Worried…
…that the gigantic impact we have on this planet may harm Earth’s biodiversity.
So we measure it:
Species Richness
Population Evenness
MiniLab (in table groups, max 4):
Count the number of colors of gummy bears you have (richness)
Count the number of each color you have (evenness)

22. The Value of Biodiversity
Biodiversity is on of Earth’s greatest natural resources
Ecosystem diversity refers to the variety of habitats and communities in the biosphere
Species diversity refers to the number of different species in the biosphere
Genetic diversity refers to the sum total of all genetic info on Earth

23. Threats to Biodiversity
Human activity can reduce biodiversity by altering habitats and eliminating species through extinction
Habitat Fragmentation is something that takes place when human activities split up habitats, isolating populations
Non-sustainable hunting practices can lead to extinction of some species
Invasive species introduction can lead to extinction of plants and animals

24. Pollution and Biomagnification
While all forms of pollution pose a threat to the planet, introduction of toxic chemicals into the environment is the most dangerous
Examples include arsenic, lead and mercury, along with 272 others listed by the CDC
An historical example includes DDT and how it harmed birds at the top of the food chain without direct application to the animal

25. Ozone Thinning and Acid Rain
Ozone thinning leads to more UV rays reaching Earth’s surface. CFCs are a big contributor to ozone thinning.
Acid Rain is caused by industrial pollution and raises the pH of rain water. This will damage plant life and change biodiversity in large swaths of the planet.

26. Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources
Renewable Resource – can regenerate quickly and are replaceable
Examples:
Nonrenewable Resource – Either will not regenerate or will take eons to regenerate

27. Sustainable Use
Sustainable Use is a way of using natural resources that does not deplete them
These industries work to sustainably use resources daily:
Fisheries
Agriculture
Land Developers

28. Top 5 Resources Renewable or Nonrenewable? Land Forest Ocean Air
Freshwater

29. Conservation of Biodiversity
By protecting habitats for wildlife, we are conserving biodiversity
Other techniques include zoo-based breeding programs that rescue animals or breed them in captivity and then return them to the wild
Conservation takes place on land as well as in marine environments
Conservation challenges include political pressures, financial pressures and balance between human and wild needs

30. Conservation Biology
Conservation biologists work to try to protect biodiversity in areas that are threatened.
Restoration biologists work to restore damaged ecosystems.
Ecotourism is a form of tourism that supports conservation and brings economic benefit to local people.