1. The potential impact on society and outdoor environments of land degradation, introduced species, climate change, urbanisation and other significant threats.

2. What are the threats?  We have spoken about indicators of healthy outdoor environments.. What were these elements and what can threaten the heath of these elements? Murray Darling Basin http://www2.mdbc.gov.au/nrm/Risks_to_Shared_Water_Res ource.1.html

3. Land Degradation Land degradation occurs when the land becomes unstable. Land degradation can display as a loss of vegetative cover, an undesirable change to the soil (eg. salinity), or as soil erosion. Land degradation can be considered in 3 categories: Soil Erosion This is the where soil is scoured and lost from its position in the landscape. Soil Degradation This is the in-place decline in soil quality. Ecosystem Decline This is where ecosystem vigour is reduced resulting in loss of ecosystem services. Photo showing degraded agricultural catchment in the Challicum Hills near Ararat in western Victoria.

4. Land degradation  Habitats being cleared for farming and urban development.  Clearing over the last 200 years has also destroyed many species.  At least ½ of Victoria’s native vegetation has been cleared.

5. Introduced species  Pest species compete with natural species for food and territory.  Some pest species have no predators thus no competition for food or space.  At least 90% of Native bush land in Melbourne is effected by weeds.  The total cost of pest species in Victoria alone is $900 million per year.

6. Climate change  Affects biodiversity as species cannot adapt fast enough for rising temperatures and a change in food source as a result.  12% increase in greenhouse gas emissions since 1990.  Australia are the 2 nd highest emitters per capita in the world.  Since 1961 global average sea level has risen by 10cm. Williamstown has registered 18cm sea level rise over the last 100 years. http://odeunit4.weebly.com/climate-change.html

7. Urbanisation  What is urbanisation?  Clearing land  Building houses, factories, infrastructure etc.  What are the major threats of Urbanisation?  Land degradation  Emissions  Extinction of species  Habitat loss  Population increase

8. Other Major Threats  Unsustainable use of natural resources.  Inappropriate fire regimes.  Changes to the aquatic environment and water flows.  More information on the above threats in Topic 9- Biodiversity.

9. What are our solutions??

10. Task  Read “Bendigo” on pgs 222-224  Complete Learning activity 4.11

11. Exam Question Outline a significant threat to the health of the identified outdoor environment and predict the potential impact of this threat on society. _____________________________________________________________________ 2 marks Get this completed.. Email it to me and I will correct and provide feedback on all questions completed on Monday!.. Yes I’ll put it on the wiki