1. Human Impact on Earth

2. Biological Diversity
Biodiversity – variety of species in a specific area
Increases as you move toward the equator
Tropical regions  2/3rds of all land species on Earth
Brings stability (1 change in species can destabilize other species)
Improves health
Increases food crop

4. Loss of Biodiversity
Extinction – the disappearance of a species when the last of its members dies
Endangered species – numbers become so low that extinction is possible
Threatened species – when the population of a species is likely to become endangered

5. North Carolina has 61 animals listed on the endangered species list…
American Alligator
Bald Eagle
Loggerhead, Green, and Leatherback Sea Turtles
Red Wolf
Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel
Red-cockaded Woodpecker
Humpback Whale
Eastern Puma…

6. North Carolina has 26 plants listed on the endangered species list…
Blue Ridge Goldenrod
Mountain Sweet Pitcher Plant
Mountain-golden Heather
Schweinitz’s Sunflower
Rock Gnome Lichen
Smooth Cornflower….

7. Threats to Biodiversity
1.) Habitat loss  cause plants/animal extinction
2.) Habitat fragmentation – separation of wilderness areas from other wilderness areas
Increased extinction
Disruption
Invasions by species
Increased fire risk
Changes in climate

8. Edge effect – different conditions along boundaries of an ecosystem
one habitat or ecosystem meets another
greater biodiversity b/c 2 habitats are meeting
Habitat degradation – damage to a habitat by pollution
3 types of pollution:
Air –Acid Rain & Ozone deterioration
Water –Water pollution
Land –Land pollution

9. Acid Precipitation: rain, snow, sleet, and fog with low pH values
Ozone layer – absorbs some of the ultraviolet waves striking the atmosphere, reducing UV radiation reaching the Earth’s surface

10. Water Pollution Degrades aquatic habitats
Stream, rivers, lakes, and oceans

11. Exotic Species Not native to a particular area
Problem: may not have predators or competitors

12. Conservation of Biodiversity
Conservation biology – the study and implementation of methods to protect biodiversity
Species conservation
Natural resource conservation

13. Natural Resources
– parts of environment that are useful and necessary for living organisms
Sunlight
Water
Air
Plant/animal

14. US Endangered Species Act (1973)
Illegal to harm any species on endangered/threatened species lists
Including changing an ecosystem where they live

15. Preserving Habitats Establish parks and protected regions
Habitat Corridors – protected strips of land that allow the migration of organisms from one wilderness area to another
Beneficial for plants and animals

16. Other Efforts…
Sustainable use – enable people to use natural resources in ways that will benefit and maintain the ecosystem
Reintroduction programs – release organisms into an area where the species once lived
Captivity – organism that is held by people (Zoos help preserve endangered species and provide halfway house)