Human Impact on The Environment and Ecosystems Ecology Human Impact on The Environment and Ecosystems
Standards: BI.6.b.-Students know how to analyze changes in an ecosystem resulting from changes in climate, human activity, introduction of nonnative species, or changes in population size. BI.6.c.-Students know how fluctuations in population size in an ecosystem are determined by the relative rates of birth, immigration, emigration, and death. BI.6.d.-Students know how water, carbon, and nitrogen cycle between abiotic resources and organic matter in the ecosystem and how oxygen cycles through photosynthesis and respiration.
Objectives: Describe how organic matter is cycled in ecosystems through different biological processes. Analyze the impact of human activity on ecosystems. Explain the various factors that cause population increases and decreases in an ecosystem.
Major Human Impacts on Ecosystems Air and water pollution Introduction of nonnative species (snakes in Florida) Global warming
What is pollution? Pollution-contamination of the environment by chemical wastes, that causes an interference in the normal environmental functions
Different Types of Pollution Air pollution-smog, burning fuels Water pollution-sewage, agricultural chemicals Soil pollution-build up of toxic materials in soil Solid waste-unwanted solid materials (garbage) Hazardous wastes-s,l,g, that are toxic to environment (nondegradable)
Pollution Facts!! Average American creates 4 lbs of solid waste a day! USA-creates 200 million metric tons of solid waste per year! 400 million metric tons of hazardous wastes are produced world wide per year. The US produces 250 million metric tons.
Effect of Pollution on Ecosystems Destruction of habitats Death of certain species Deoxygenation (aquatic) Extinction Excess plant production (algal blooms)
Greenhouse Effect The ability of gases in the atmosphere to trap heat emitted by the Earth’s atmosphere, warming the Earth Global warming-Unnatural increases in greenhouse gases, traps sun’s energy that would normally reflect back to space Greenhouse gases-Water vapor, CO2, methane, nitrous oxide, fluorinated compounds
Greenhouse Effect
Global Warming Increase in greenhouse gases is caused by burning of fossil fuels, clearing of land for agriculture, manufacturing, industrial chemicals .6 Celsius increase of Earth’s surface temp., in last 100 year 2100, possible temp. increase from 1.5-6 degrees Celsius, could melt polar caps
Career Environmental Scientist- ($43-57,000) Education-4 yr. Undergrad. Degree, focus on earth science,environmental sciences, hydrology Duties/Roles-work in offices/field, research pollutions impact, find solutions to environmental problems, monitor and consult projects
Summary Questions What are the different types of pollution caused by human activity? How much solid waste do most people produce in America? How does pollution impact ecosystems? How will global warming impact the populations of organisms in ecosystems?