Human Impact on Earth

Biological Diversity Biodiversity – variety of species in a specific area Increases as you move toward the equator Tropical regions  2/3rds of all land species on Earth Brings stability (1 change in species can destabilize other species) Improves health Increases food crop

Loss of Biodiversity Extinction – the disappearance of a species when the last of its members dies Endangered species – numbers become so low that extinction is possible Threatened species – when the population of a species is likely to become endangered

North Carolina has 61 animals listed on the endangered species list… American Alligator Bald Eagle Loggerhead, Green, and Leatherback Sea Turtles Red Wolf Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel Red-cockaded Woodpecker Humpback Whale Eastern Puma…

North Carolina has 26 plants listed on the endangered species list… Blue Ridge Goldenrod Mountain Sweet Pitcher Plant Mountain-golden Heather Schweinitz’s Sunflower Rock Gnome Lichen Smooth Cornflower….

Threats to Biodiversity 1.) Habitat loss  cause plants/animal extinction 2.) Habitat fragmentation – separation of wilderness areas from other wilderness areas Increased extinction Disruption Invasions by species Increased fire risk Changes in climate

Edge effect – different conditions along boundaries of an ecosystem one habitat or ecosystem meets another greater biodiversity b/c 2 habitats are meeting Habitat degradation – damage to a habitat by pollution 3 types of pollution: Air –Acid Rain & Ozone deterioration Water –Water pollution Land –Land pollution

Acid Precipitation: rain, snow, sleet, and fog with low pH values Ozone layer – absorbs some of the ultraviolet waves striking the atmosphere, reducing UV radiation reaching the Earth’s surface

Water Pollution Degrades aquatic habitats Stream, rivers, lakes, and oceans

Exotic Species Not native to a particular area Problem: may not have predators or competitors

Conservation of Biodiversity Conservation biology – the study and implementation of methods to protect biodiversity Species conservation Natural resource conservation

Natural Resources – parts of environment that are useful and necessary for living organisms Sunlight Water Air Plant/animal

US Endangered Species Act (1973) Illegal to harm any species on endangered/threatened species lists Including changing an ecosystem where they live

Preserving Habitats Establish parks and protected regions Habitat Corridors – protected strips of land that allow the migration of organisms from one wilderness area to another Beneficial for plants and animals

Other Efforts… Sustainable use – enable people to use natural resources in ways that will benefit and maintain the ecosystem Reintroduction programs – release organisms into an area where the species once lived Captivity – organism that is held by people (Zoos help preserve endangered species and provide halfway house)