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Published byAlberta Stafford Modified over 8 years ago
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Pollution – Solid waste, pesticides, herbicides, salt, oil, nutrients, etc Invasive species Mining – Surface/strip mining/mountain-top removal – Underground – Fracking Habitat Disruption – Habitat fragmentation – Habitat loss & deforestation Video
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Tall Grass Prairie then and now
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Biodiversity Increased biodiversity creates a more stable environment 3 kinds: – Genetic diversity - variety of genes in a pop. or spp. – Species diversity – number of different species – Ecosystem diversity – variety of ecosystems in an area
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Importance of Biodiversity Direct Economic Value – Food, clothing, medicine, genetic potential, etc Indirect Economic Value – O 2, Clean H 2 O, flood & drought protection, soil production, decomposition of wastes, climate regulation Aesthetic Value Scientific Value
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Threats to Biodiversity Habitat loss Habitat Fragmentation Overexploitation Pollution Introduced species Biodiversity is a component of communities on land, in the air and in the water
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Threats to Biodiversity Destruction – clearing of rainforest, big cities, urban sprawl, draining wetlands, etcurban sprawl Biodiversity is a component of communities on land, in the air and in the water Disruption – decline of one species affects others Habitat loss Baltimore, Maryland - Removal of Keystone species
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Threats to Biodiversity Habitat Fragmentation Wildlife Corridor Biodiversity is a component of communities on land, in the air and in the water
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Threats to Biodiversity Overexploitation – excessive use – Hunting, fishing, fur trade, etc – Can lead to premature extinction Passenger pigeons, dodo bird, tasmanian tiger, quagga, etc Biodiversity is a component of communities on land, in the air and in the water 1930s 1680s 1896 1883
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Threats to Biodiversity Pollution – Point source & non-point source – Biological magnification – Acid rain – Eutrophication – Chemical spills and emmissions Biodiversity is a component of communities on land, in the air and in the water
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Threats to Biodiversity Invasive species - no limiting factors Biodiversity is a component of communities on land, in the air and in the water Cane toads in Australia Video Lionfish
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SO…. What can be done about any of it???
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Ways to reduce our environmental impact: Slow population growth Decrease resource use and waste Increase use of environmentally beneficial technologies Phase out environmentally harmful technologies
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Fixing & Preventing Human Impacts Recognize & take ownership Do SOMETHING about it! – Personal decisions add up Think “big picture” Ask questions Look for/find solutions “Vote” with your money – Social change – Governments, agencies & laws Conserve, protect & restore habitats
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Conservation Use of natural resources – Renewable vs nonrenewable – Sustainable use – meeting needs now, while allowing for full future use Preservation Keep what already naturally exists – National Parks, nature preserves, public land – Build corridors between habitat fragments
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Restoration Re-introduction of species Bioremediation Biological augmentation Laws Endangered species act Clean water act Clean air act
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