1. AP Biology ch. 56 Global & Local Issues

2. Biological Diversity ~2 million species identified on Earth ~8 million species to find ~1 billion extinct species EX: Mycena luxaeterna (eternal light mushroom)

3. Levels of Biodiversity Genetic Diversity  (humans ~1%) Species Diversity  (9,000 birds) Ecosystem Diversity  (US wetlands (marshes, fens, rivers…)

4. Humans depend upon Nature Ecosystem provides $33 trillion/year  Purification of air and water  Reduction of severity of natural disasters  Generation of fertile soils  Detoxification of waste  Pollination of crops

5. Big Problem: Biodiversity Crisis Gene pools, species, and ecosystems are disappearing at a faster rate than at any time in the past 100 thousand years Human population is causing 6 th mass extinction

6. Human Population History

7. Humans are connected to Nature

8. Ecological Problems

9. 1. Habitat Destruction Occurs when humans destroy native habitats! Solution: restore and conserve natural areas

10. 2. Overharvesting Occurs when wild organisms are harvested at a rate greater than the population can replenish Solution: practice sustainability

11. 3. Invasive species Occurs when species are moved by humans and thrive at the expense of other organisms Solution: Plant native species

12. 4. Pollution Occurs when contaminants enter the environment Solution: EPA guidelines

13. 4b. Ozone Depletion Occurs when chlorofluorocarbons break the chemical bonds of ozone Solution: Global ban of CFC’s

14. 5. Global Climate Change CO2 & global temperatures are increasing Polar ice caps are melting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaKqhRTqSlg Sea levels are rising http://geology.com/sea-level-rise/ Solution: alternative energy

15. 5b. Ocean Acidification Excess CO2 is dissolved into the Ocean lowering pH

16. Overview of Human Impact Humans use ecosystem services to live The human population rose exponentially Humans have altered natural biogeochemical cycles Humans must protect these biogeochemical cycles upon which our survival is dependent