1. Impact on Ecosystems Big Ideas… W.E.D. EcoRegions of Texas Catastrophic Events Watershed

2. W eathering Breaking apart of land/rocks into sediments

3. Mechanical – breaking apart rock by physically processesMechanical physically Rates of weather – hard rocks weather slower than soft rocks Moisture and fluctuating temperature above and below freezing increases weathering Types of Weathering Frost or Ice Wedging Abrasion caused by friction or impact of other rocks Animals burrowing or human activity Plant roots wedging and growing

4. Types of Weathering  Chemical – breaking rocks with a chemical reaction Chemical –Oxidation, plant and natural acids, acid rain, rusting –Promoted by moisture and high temperatures Limestone cave

5. Erosion Movement of sediments by wind, water, glaciers, gravity, humans, etc.Movement

6. Deposition Dropping off of sediments in a new location –Results of deposition: sand dunes, river deltas, mountains, beaches Shape It Up

7. EcoRegions of Texas

8. 1. Pineywoods 2. Oak Woods & Prairies 3. Blackland Prairies 4. Gulf Coast Prairies & Marshes 5. Coastal Sand Plains 6. South Texas Brush Country 7. Edwards Plateau 8. Llano Uplift 9. Rolling Plains 10. High Plains 11. Trans Pecos EcoRegions of Texas

9. What is a watershed? the region or area drained by a river, stream, lake, ocean, or any body of water.

10. What is surface water? Surface water consists of all the water that exists on top of the Earth’s surface. –oceans, lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, marshes, etc. –1% of all freshwater

11. What is groundwater?groundwater Groundwater consists of all the water that has seeped down beneath the Earth’s surface. –31% of all Freshwater

12. Impact on water supply Pollution – wastewater, pesticides/insecticides, fertilizers, etc. Climate change – increased global temperatures lead to less surface water (evaporation) and an increase in the removal of groundwater (pumps/wells) Urban/Rural development – cities/farms replacing natural ecosystems will lead to collection of more waste and contamination of freshwater supplies Deforestation – leads to increased erosion, which could lead to an increase of waste materials that end up contaminating the freshwater supply

18. Natural Disasters – extreme sudden events caused by environmental factors that injure plants, animals, and/or property. Such as: hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, etc. Catastrophic Events – events caused by natural or man made factors that injure plants, animals, and/or property. Such as; oil spills, 911(twin towers), atomic bombs, epidemics, and natural disasters.

19. Flood Flashfloods are caused by severe rain storms Effects low elevation areas the most since gravity pulls water downward Increases runoff and adds water to the water table

20. Tornado Strong cyclone (circle) wind Fast rotating columns of air associated with severe thunderstorms. Common in ‘tornado alley’ –Texas panhandle and Oklahoma

21. Hurricane Huge tropical cyclones that form over an ocean Produces severe rain – can cause flooding Only effects coastal regions – not Allen Texas Can also cause floods and mudslides