Unit 5 Human Impact on the Environment Access Biology Section 5

Essential Questions/Big Ideas for this Unit What kinds of natural disasters impact our world? What man-made disasters are influencing our world?

Standards for this section SC.912.L.17.20 Predict the impact of individuals on environmental systems and examine how human lifestyles affect sustainability. SC.912.L.17.In.8 Describe ways the lifestyles of individuals and groups can help or hurt the environment. SC.912.L.17.Su.8 Identify ways individuals can help the environment. SC.912.L.17.Pa.7 Recognize a way to help the local environment.

Humans are also a population and we have impacted the ecosystem

We have learned about ways animals interact with the ecosystem We have learned about ways animals interact with the ecosystem. What are ways we interact with the ecosystem? After viewing the video list positive and negative impacts humans have on the environment. Positive Impacts Negative Impacts

Environmental Sustainability When the demands placed on the environment can be met without reducing its capacity to allow all people to live well, now and in the future. Environmental Sustainability

Sustainability, click on image to launch…

10 Ways Humans Impact the Environment Read article discussing negative impacts humans have on the ecosystem.

How do human activities affect the environment?

Human Impacts on the Environment Population Growth Populations grow when birth rate exceeds rate of mortality Human Impacts on the Environment

Learn more about population growth…

Human Impacts on the Environment Global warming Use of machines by humans seems to be increasing CO2 levels in the air. CO2 prevents heat from escaping, causes slight world wide temperature increases Human Impacts on the Environment

Learn more about global warming…

Human Impacts on the Environment Deforestation Caused by demand for wood products, need for space, farmland, housing, roads Animals and plants are forced out of their homes and into confined areas Human Impacts on the Environment

Learn more about deforestation…

Human Impacts on the Environment Ozone Depletion Caused by aerosol chemicals called CFC’s Escapes into atmosphere, breaks down the ozone (a protective layer around the Earth) UV rays penetrate the atmosphere and cause harm to many organisms

What is ozone depletion? Read the article and view the video

Human Impacts on the Environment Fishing activities Demand for fish and shellfish Commercial fishing techniques harm sea life Pollution in the ocean

Video and article on overfishing…

Human Impacts on the environment Invasive species introduced by people accidentally or intentionally Can cause problems if no natural enemies are present Cane toad was introduced to Australia to control cane beetles, pest insects that destroy sugar cane crops Human Impacts on the environment

Invasive animals and plants in the Everglades

Human Impacts on the Environment Exotic pet trade Capture and sell wild animals from exotic locations Animals removed from their habitat causes an imbalance in the ecosystem Pythons were once pets and the released in the Everglades when they got too big and are now killing the native animals Click image to see news story on pythons Human Impacts on the Environment

Importance of the Environment Biodiversity Many different types of organisms Organisms depend upon one another Interfering with one organism can have a ripple effect to many with in the habitat Click on image to play a video on biodiversity

Importance of the environment Natural resources: Non-renewable includes fossil fuels (petroleum, coal) Renewable includes animals, plants, water, wind, etc. Even the renewable resources can run out Importance of the environment

What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable? Click to play…

Importance of the Environment Natural resources Renewable energy sources include wind power, geothermal energy, ocean currents

Natural Resources

Pollution: Agricultural Homes Industry Fertilizers Animal wastes (nitrogen) Homes Strong cleaning agents Industry Toxic gases and wastes Acid rain

Pollution in our waters…

Click image to launch…