Living Resources Environmental Issues

Resource Use  Any resources used by people  Renewable: available, replaced in short period of time (sun, wind, trees, water)  Nonrenewable: not replaced in a useful time frame (oil, coal)

Population Growth  Advancements in medicine, agriculture and waste disposal increase growth rate

Pollution  Contamination of Earth’s land, water, or air –Examples: chemicals, wastes, noise, heat, light

Living Resources Biodiversity

Biodiversity  A number of different species within an area –Bacteria – 4,000 species –Fungi – 72,000 species –Protists – 80,000 species –Animals – 255,000 species –Plants – 270,000 species –Insects – 950,000 species

The Corner Stone  Keystone Species – a species that influences the survival of many other species & ecosystems –Example – otter

Factors Affecting Biodiversity  Area: the larger the area, the more the species  Climate: biodiversity increases as you move away from the poles –Highest diversity of organisms found in tropical rainforest and coral reef (both along the equator)  Niche Diversity: the more places to hide, the higher the diversity

Gene Pool Diversity  Genes determine the way you look, act, and fight disease (get genes from mother & father) –If this is varied, it is better –If something changes in the environment the best species will survive and evolve

Bottleneck Effect  When only a small amount of organisms are present within the next generation –BIODIVERSITY DECREASES! –*Population amount is what makes the shape caused by natural disasters and disease

Extinction  Disappearance of all members of a species from Earth  Natural process – dinosaurs  Humans have increased the number of species’ extinctions– Survival of the Fittest

Endangered Species  Species that is close to extinction, not too many left –Example - pandas

Causes of Extinction  Habitat Destruction: loss of natural habitat –Natural disasters – fires, ice storms –Gardening, building  Habitat Fragmentation: breaking down habitats into smaller habitats  Poaching: illegal killing or removal of wildlife (hunted for furs, claws, feathers) –Plants – dug up illegally and sold as medicine (ginseng)  Pollution: contamination of Earth’s water, air, and land  Introduction of Exotic Species: can have a negative impact on organisms –Example: brown headed cowbird, swallow-wort

Ways to Protect Biodiversity Captive Breeding: capture animals and have them mate in zoos or wildlife preserves (“real” environment) Laws and Treaties: laws are set up to prevent hunting or trading of animals Habitat Preservation: setting up places in which people cannot tamper with the wildlife (Adirondack Park)