Human Impact

Human Activity Human activity can affect ecosystems in 3 ways: Pollution Conservation Waste management

Pollution Pollution is any human addition (contamination) to a habitat or the environment that leaves it less able to sustain life It is the most harmful human impact and affects air, fresh water, sea, soil and land Chemicals of human origin that harm the environment are called pollutants

Types of Pollution Industrial/Air Pollution Agricultural Pollution – slurry, if it gets into a river/pond Types of Pollution Domestic Pollution River/Water Pollution

Pollutants Pollutants are produced by human activities Some pollutants are normally present in an environment Other pollutants never exist in an environment CO2 from respiration vs. excess CO2 from burning fossil fuels SO2 from marshes & volcanoes vs. SO2 from factory chimney

If I Can’t See It, It’s not there Right? Acid rain is produced by human activity pollutants Ex. automobiles Nitrogen and sulphur-containing pollutants enter atmosphere Combine with water vapour to form acids Can affect soil, vegetation, lakes, rivers, and animals Can damage leaves, roots, earthworms, shellfish, soil Acid rain can damage the waxy coating that protects leaves from infections Acid can seep into soil and damage roots of plants Burns skin of earthworms Increase acidity of soil and water Affect shellfish because dissolves shells

How Can My Lifestyle Affecting the Environment? Brainstorm how each of the following can affect abiotic and biotic factors within an ecosystem Constructing new roads and buildings Hydro power plants Consuming and manufacturing goods

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