Human Impact on the environment

2 RESOURCES  RESOURCE- something used to take care of a need  TYPES: 1. Non Renewable- can’t be replenished; available only in limited amounts Ex: fossil fuel coal, oil, natural gas 2. Renewable- are replaceable by natural processes Ex: fresh water, trees

Resources tinSilverPhosphorusNitrogenAir freshwaterTopsoilOilForestsTrees

Biodiversity refers to the variety of species in ecosystems, and the genetic variation. Over-hunting Over-hunting Habitat loss Habitat loss Invasion of non-native species Invasion of non-native species Pollution Pollution Climate change Climate change

Pollution  Contamination of soil, water, air  Result of human activity  Affects organisms and their habitats.

Ozone Depletion Reduction of the ozone(O 3 ) layer which protects the earth from UV radiation Caused by … CFCs emitted from aerosol cans and A/Cs destroy ozone(O 3 )molecules Effect -Harmful UV rays penetrate the earth’s atmosphere -Increase in skin cancer Solution -don’t use aerosol cans

Global Warming Increase of the average temperature of the earth Caused by … increased amounts of greenhouse gases and burning of fossil fuels Effect -Increase in the average temperature of EARTH Solution -Reduce CO 2 emissions -Decrease electricity usage.

Acid Rain Rain containing nitric and sulfuric acid Caused by … burning of fossil fuels releases nitrogen and sulfur compounds that combine with water and form sulfuric and nitric acid precipitation Effect -Changes in soil chemistry which prevent plant growth -Destruction of pond ecosystems Solution -burn less fossil fuels

Bio-magnification Increasing concentration of a harmful substance in organisms at higher trophic levels Caused by … non biodegradable chemicals (i.e DDT) introduced into ecosystems Effect -Build up of non biodegradable toxins -Increase of toxin concentration in top predators -Possible species extinction Solution -Use biodegradable pesticides -The US banned the use of DDT

Soil Erosion The wearing away of topsoil Caused by … wearing away of soil by water and wind; deforestation; overplowing Effect -Loss of topsoil which is the most fertile soil on the planet and takes a long time to recover Solution -Contour plowing -Plant cover to replenish nitrates in the soil

Deforestation The destruction or loss of forests Caused by … Overlogging Effect - loss of trees -Loss of forest ( biodiversity reduction -Soil erosion -Prevention of tree regrowth due to a change in soil -Habitat fragmentation Solution -Selective tree harvesting -Protection of old growth forests -Replant trees

Desertification Creation of a desert with sand for soil Caused by … Farming, overgrazing; drought Effect -Decrease in soil, increase in sand -Changes to ecosystems and the species able to live in the environment Solution -Reduce soil erosion -Don’t leave plowed fields open without vegetation

Invasive Species Non-native species introduced to new habitats take over and kill native organisms to the area Caused by … importation of new species into new ecosystems Effect -Possible destruction of ecosystems -Inability to control the population of non-native species -Habitat fragmentation Solution -import natural predators of invasive species