Human Impact and Conservation

Hey Mom!! That’s me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Human Impact Humans now live in almost every kind of ecosystem on Earth. … and pop growth is a big deal

Edge effect

Renewable vs. Nonrenewable resources Renewable resources can be replaced at the same rate at which they are consumed. However, can still be used up if it is used faster than it can be renewed. Nonrenewable resources resources that form slower than they are used. Most of our energy today comes from fossil fuels -- nonrenewable energy formed from remains of organisms that lived long ago.

Pollution 1) Air Pollution 2) Water Pollution 3) Soil Pollution

1) Air Pollution causes respiratory problems for people, Causes: » Acid Rain » Ozone » Global Warming

Acid Rain Sulfur and nitrogen compounds react with water in air to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid Acid rain removes calcium, potassium, from soil, depriving plants of their nutrients

Ozone protects life on Earth from the sun’s UV rays The ozone layer has been damaged by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs are chemicals in: refrigerators air conditioners Aerosol cans.

Most scientists think that this increase in temperatures is caused by an increase in CO 2 …. From burning of fossil fuels Global Warming Earth warms b/c greenhouse gases(CO 2 and water vapor) trap heat.

Global Warming the gradual increase in the average global temperature A continued increase in global temperatures has the potential to cause a number of serious environmental problems

2) Water Pollution

Eutrophication -- fertilizers /pesticides run off--- inc water nutrients---algae blooms– delete oxygen---fish die  livestock farms industrial waste oil runoff from roads, unlined landfills. Leaky septic tanks Percolation– gets to groundwater healthyunhealthy

soil erosion (process where Earth’s surface gets worn away, transported from one place to another by wind, gravity, or water) – destroys fertile soil that we need in order to produce food. – Roots help hold soil together / protect from erosion. Many farming methods -- lead to soil erosion – by loosening topsoil /removing plants – Great Dust Bowl 3) Soil Pollution

Biological magnification the increasing concentration of toxic substances in organisms as trophic levels increase in food chain mercury

Foreign Species Threats Biodiversity intentionally or unintentionally introduced to a new habitat --- can become a factor in the extinction of natives species. Hawaii – zoo only

preserving/ renewing natural resources so they’ll be around Conservation

Decrease CO 2 emissions Decrease sulfur and nitrogen emissions Alternate energy Decrease CFC production Air conservation

Contain contaminated runoff Decrease amount of water use in residential /commercial buildings Water Conservation

Terracing: change a steep field into a series of flat steps Crop rotation Contour plowing: rows are plowed in curves along hills instead of in straight lines-- act as a series of dams- prevents water from eroding the soil. Soil Conservation Soil Conservation

Adding natural predators to a degraded ecosystem is called Ladybugs help control aphid populations. Biological Augmentation