Human Impact on Ecosystems

Human Impact Earth’s Carrying Capacity is not known Technology has helped to increase Earth’s carrying capacity

Human Impact The growing population exerts pressure on Earth’s natural resources Renewable Resources: cannot be used up by humans Solar Energy Wind Energy Nonrenewable Resources: used faster than they form Coal Oil

Human Impact Ecological Footprint: the amount of land necessary to produce and maintain enough food, water, shelter, energy and waste.

Human Impact Easter Island A.D. 400-700 Human colony quickly grew over 1000 years Cut down trees faster than they could re-grow No trees  no boats or shelter

Air Quality Pollution: describes any undesirable factor that is added to the air, water, or soil. Smog Particulates Acid Rain

Air Quality Greenhouse Effect: occurs when carbon dioxide, water, and methane molecules absorb energy reradiated by Earth’s surface and slow the release of this energy from Earth’s atmosphere.

Air Quality Global Warming: the trend of increasing global temperatures

Water Quality Indicator Species: a species that provides a sign or indication of the quality of the ecosystem’s environmental conditions Ex: Frog

Water Quality Biomagnification: a pollutant moves up the food chain as predators eat prey, accumulating in higher concentrations in the bodies of predators.

Threats to Biodiversity Habitat Fragmentation: occurs when a barrier forms that prevents an organism from accessing its entire home range. Introduced/Invasive Species: any organism that was brought to an ecosystem as the result of human actions