Human Impact How we impact the world around us!

Modern Manhattan on right; virtual recreation of 1609 Mannahatta on left. Image © Markley Boyer / Mannahatta Project / Wildlife Conservation Society

Earth has Finite Resources This means Earth only has so much of a resource, like coal or aluminum. Overuse of the resources can put stress on natural processes

Natural Resources any material or organism in the biosphere that can be used Ex: trees, wind, iron, oxygen

Resources Nonrenewable- natural resource available in limited amounts or replaced extremely slowly by natural processes Renewable- natural resource replaced by natural processes more quickly than it is consumed

Sustainable Use when resources are used at the same rate they are replaced

Biodegradable material that can break down easily and quickly Think Compost Pile!

How Natural Ecosystems Affect Humans Maintenance of quality of atmosphere Generation of soils Control of water cycle Removal of wastes Energy flow Recycling of nutrients If humans change these processes it could result in a very negative impact

Human Activities have an Impact Alter equilibrium in an ecosystem through: –Population growth –Consumption –Technology –Pollution –Destruction of habitats

Deforestation - Cutting down of forest habitats Settlers cut and burn a section of rainforest in the Petén region of Guatemala to clear the land.

Land Usage Decreases space and resources for other species

Pollution Changes chemical composition of air, soil, and water Example: –acid rain- rain with acidic pH due to carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, or nitrogen oxides

Global Warming Caused by excess of carbon dioxide in the air due to factories, cars, etc. Changes habitat climates

Adding/Removing Organisms Decrease biodiversity Introduced species - could take over an area because of no natural predators (disturbs ecosystem)

Loss of Biodiversity Overexploitation- the over use of a species Endangered species- a species on the verge of extinction Pilot whale hunt, Faeroe Island.

Industrialization Increased demand for energy and other resources including fossil and nuclear fuels Can have positive or negative effect on humans and ecosystems

We need to address these problems before they get out of hand!

How do we Help the Problem? Conservation Laws Recycle, reduce, reuse Assess risk, costs, benefits and trade-offs for new technologies Vote

Remember: The decisions of one generation both provide and limit the range of possibilities open to the next generation!!!

Write 3 things you can do to help save the environment: 1) 2) 3)