The Green House Effect

DEFORESTATION Forests still cover about 30% of earth but patches the size of Panama are lost each year At current rate, rainforests could disappear within 100 yrs Agriculture – major reason for clearing of forests – provide more room for crops or livestock Logging – another major cause of deforestation Wildfires, overgrazing of livestock also causes Loss of habitat for millions of species Drives climate change

Pollution Pollution is any waste product that damages an ecosystem. Pollution is caused by chemicals in water and in the air. Chemicals used on crops and lawns runoff into rivers, and lakes. Burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas. Pollution causes acid rain.

Acid Rain: What is the pH of rain? Pure water has a pH of 7 – neutral (neither an acid nor a base) Normal precipitation is slightly acidic (5.6) because carbon dioxide in the air mixes with rain water to form a weak acid called carbonic acid.

So what does acid rain damage in plants look like?

What does acid rain damage in these ecosystems look like?

Conservation, Reclamation and Restoration: How we are helping!

Conservation We can help by saving non-renewable resources like natural gas and coal. Reusing and recycling plastics, glass and paper saves resources.

Reclamation and Restoration Cleaning and restoring damaged ecosystem. Is expensive and time consuming. Requires the removing of pollutants for ecosystems.

Homework Research one of the organizations on this powerpoint and explain how they help protect ecosystems. The Nature Conservancy The Sierra Club Conservation International Greenpeace WWF – The World Wildlife Fund Identify one organization that helps protect your ecosystem.