Human Activities

Three groups of human lifestyles Hunting and Gathering Agriculture Industrial/Urban Development

Hunting and Gathering Obtaining food by hunting wild animals and/or gathering wildly growing plant materials. Benefit Low impact on the environment when human population is low.

Hunting and Gathering Problems Seasonal fluctuation in food supply Lack of surplus makes population very prone to famine if the weather is bad

Agriculture The ability to plant crops and/or domesticate animals for food and materials. HUGE break-through for humans

Agriculture Benefits Gave a reliable and predictable source of food. Increased food yields allowed the population of humans to increase Allowed larger communities such as towns and cities to form

Agriculture Problems Destroys native plant life Can lead to soil erosion Monoculture – planting one variety of crop in a large field Susceptible to disease

Agriculture Problems continued Chemical pollution from fertilizers and pesticides Heavy demands on local water supplies

Industrial/Urban Development Societies that specialize in producing material goods Benefits More consumer goods Higher population density

Industrial/Urban Development Problems Radical changes to the environment Increased pollution to soil, air and water