1. Changing Ecosystems

2. Ecosystems can change by:
natural processes or
human activity

3. Natural Processes Lightning Flooding Hurricanes Volcanic eruptions
Drought
Extended Cold Period

4. Human Activity Habitat destruction Overuse of resources Pollution
Introduced species

5. Introduced Species Non-native species
Some can become INVASIVE, spreading throughout their new area
Invasive species
grow and reproduce quickly
thrive in many habitats
usually have no diseases, predators or pests
are difficult to remove or control

6. Problems with Invasive Species
Destroy ecosystems
Change the food web
Reduce biodiversity
Degrade habitats
Transmit exotic diseases and parasites
Cost to economy

7. World’s 10 Worst Invasive Species!!
AHHHHHH!!!!!

8. Snakeheads
Asian Carp
Killer Bees
Kudzu

9. Starlings
Rabbits
Cane Toads

10. Eastern Grey Squirrels
Rats (Rat Island, Alaska)

11. Burmese Pythons

12. Kudzu, or Mile-a-Minute
Was introduced in 1876 from Japan at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia to celebrate different cultures
Gardeners grew it for ornamental purposes
Was used for erosion control
Now used to feed goats and to make baskets
Yun Wu, USDA Forest Service,
Kerry Britton, USDA Forest Service,

13. Why did we bring them?

14. For food…

15. ‘cuz they’re purdy…
Gregg Hill Gardens

16. for medicine…
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)

17. or some other use. Fiber Erosion control Conservation projects
Daniel Barringer/Natural Lands Trust
Crownvetch (Coronilla varia)
Fiber
Erosion control
Conservation projects
Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora)
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service,
USDA-APHIS PPQ Archives,
Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar)

18. Or just by accident!
Zebra Mussels introduced from ballast water

19. Purple Loosestrife Brought from Europe to plant in gardens
USDA
Brought from Europe to plant in gardens
Competes with wetland plants
John M. Randall/The Nature Conservancy

20. Multiflora Rose Brought here from Asia in the 1800s
Was used as a living fence and for erosion control
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service,
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service,

21. Nutria Don’t let this cute little guy fool you!
Introduced for the fur trade
Damages vegetation and destroys wetland habitats

22. And…the biggest pain in Delaware’s hind end Phragmites!!!
John M. Randall/The Nature Conservancy

23. Also known as the common reed
James R. Allison, GA Dept. of
Natural Resources,
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service,

24. Primary Succession
A new community forms in an area that lacks soil or vegetation (bare rock)
Lichens and mosses develop first (Pioneer Species)
Soil forms due to weathering (physical & chemical) and decomposition (plants & animals)

25. Secondary Succession Follows primary succession
Needs soil to be present
Original inhabitants must be damaged or destroyed (by human or natural processes)
Occurs a lot faster than primary succession

26. Stable community of a diverse number of species (plants and animals)
Climax Community
Stable community of a diverse number of species (plants and animals)

27. Acid Rain

28. Acid Rain
Normal rain is already slightly acidic (~5.6 on the pH scale)
Carbon dioxide reacts with water in the atmosphere to form carbonic acid
Average pH of rain in Eastern US is 4.5
Water reacts with sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere, causing precipitation to become even more acidic

29. pH Scale

30. Sources of Pollution Which Contribute to Acid Rain
Natural sources
lightning
forest fires
volcanoes
Human activities
industrial factories
coal-fired power plants
car emissions
**Air currents cause acid precipitation to be carried far away from the source of the pollution

31. www2.nature.nps.gov

32. Negative Effects of Acid Rain
Corrodes metal structures (bridges)
Dissolves limestone structures
Disrupts ecosystems by leaching calcium and potassium from the soil

33. Possible Solutions Cleaner vehicles which burn extra nitrogen oxides
Electric/Hybrid Vehicles
Factories install scrubbers to remove sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide from plant emissions

34. 1. Which of the following is NOT true about invasive species?
Destroy ecosystems
Change the food web
Transmit exotic diseases
Protect habitats 25

35. 2. How have humans changed ecosystems?
Deforestation
Habitat destruction
Pollution
Introduction of new species
All of the above 25

36. 3. Which one of the following is NOT a reason for why invasive species are difficult to control?
No natural predators
Grow and reproduce quickly
Require little food
Thrive in many habitats 25

37. 4. T or F Ecosystems can change through natural processes?
True
False 25

38. 5. What community starts as bare rock and slowly develops?
Primary succession
Secondary succession
Volcanoes
mountains 25

39. 6. A community that is stable with diversity of plants and animals
Primary succession
Secondary succession
Climax community
Utopian society 25

40. 7. What is the typical pH reading of rain in the Eastern U.S?13
5.6
4.5 25

41. 8. What causes rain to not be perfectly neutral (a 7) on the pH scale?
Water reacts with carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere
The oxygen portion of water is pulled onto carbon molecules in CO2
Pollutants in gaseous water react with the atmosphere 25

42. 9. T or F: Natural processes can contribute to acid rain
True
False 25

43. 10. Which of the following natural phenomena does NOT cause acid rain?
Hurricanes
Lightning
Forest fires
volcanoes 25

44. 11. Why does the pollution we create not cause acid rain where we live?
We recycle before it gets too bad
Air currents carry pollutants elsewhere
We have acid rain but it is only during the spring
We experience Florida’s polluted rain 25

45. 12. What are some negative effects of acid rain?
It corrodes metals such as bridges, and takes important nutrients out of the soil
It burns your skin and eyes
It helps with photosynthesis
It makes people hallucinate and think they are zombies 25

46. 13. What are some ways to prevent acid rain?
Charge people who don’t recycle
Make people pay extra taxes who buy big trucks
Make factories install scrubbers to filter their emmissions 25

47. 14. Invasive species are only animals.
True
False 25

48. 15. Why did we introduce new species into America?
For food, economic gain, medicine, and to prevent soil erosion
To destroy our homeland and ruin ecosytems
Stupidity! 25