Chapter 6: Humans in the Biosphere

Describe the birthrate and death rate for a country that has undergone demographic transition. ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ Bell Ringer

What are the 3 main ways humans affect the biosphere? ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ Bell Ringer

Describe human activities that can affect the biosphere. Describe the relationship between resource use and sustainable development. Daily Objectives

We affect environment when we: Obtain food Eliminate waste products Build places to live Effect of Human Activity

Humans impact regional and global environments: Agriculture Development Industry This impacts natural resources such as soil, water and the atmosphere. Effect of Human Activity

Dependable supply of food that can be stored for future use Monoculture-clearing large areas of land to plant a single highly productive crop annually (Ex. soybean) Providing food for nearly 7 billion people- impacts natural resources Fertilizer production and Farm machinery- consume large amounts of fossil fuels. Agriculture

Examples of Monoculture Canola Oil Soybean

Dense human communities produce lots of wastes. If they’re not disposed of correctly they affect air, water and soil. Consumes farmland Habitat fragmentation Development

Human lifestyles utilize a great deal of energy to produce and power Energy comes from burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas In the Past - dumped waste directly into air, water and soil Industrial Growth

Goods - things that can be bought and sold and have value in terms of money. Services - processes or actions that produce goods. Ecosystem goods and services are produced by ecosystems and benefit the human economy. Sustainable Development

What types of goods and services could be found in this ecosystem?

Many natural and free of charge Breathable air Drinkable water Sometimes we have to pay to produce these goods Ex. Water treatment plants Ecosystem Goods and Services

Water Treatment Plant

Renewable Can be produced or replaced by healthy ecosystem. Ex. Pine Tree Renewable vs. Nonrenewable Resources Nonrenewable Natural processes cannot replenish these goods within a reasonable amount of time. Ex. Fossil Fuels (formed from buried organic material over millions of years) ; when depleted they are gone.

Conscious Way to use resources Provides for human needs while preserving the ecosystem that produces natural resources No harm to soil, water or climate Sustainable Resource Use

Sustainable Farming Practices

What are some human activities that can affect the biosphere? How can resources be used so that we can achieve sustainable development. Review of Daily Objectives

Chapter 6-2: Using Resources Wisely

What is sustainable development? How can it help to minimize the negative impacts of human activities? __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ Bell Ringer

Describe how human activities affect the soil and land. Describe how human activities affect air and water resources. 6-2 Daily Objectives

Important objects that rely on soil Production of food crops Lumber for building supplies Biology Textbooks Healthly soil supports agriculture and forestry. Soil Resources

Mineral and nutrient rich portions of soil Absorbs and retains moisture A renewable resource when properly managed. Healthy soil can take centuries to form but can be lost quickly Topsoil

Badly eroded once-fertile soil of Great Plains Thousands lost jobs and homes Became a desert with dry soil “Dust Bowl” Caused by the conversion of prairie land to cropland in way that left soil vulnerable to erosion (wearing away). 1930s Drought (not on notes)

Removal of soil by water or wind Increases when land is plowed and left barren between plantings. When there are no roots to hold soil it is easily washed away Organic materials and minerals that make soil fertile are carried away with erosion. Soil Erosion

When farmland turns into desert. Occurs in dry climates Great Plains is an example 40% of Earth’s land is considered at risk Desertification

Desertification Risk

The loss of forest Forests value Wood Hold soil in place Protect quality of water Absorb CO 2 Moderate local temperature Deforestation

Temperate forests can regrow after cutting; centuries for succession Tropical forests DO NOT grow back after logging Deforestation

Goods and services - Drinking water, industry, transportation, energy and waste disposal. Fresh water is a renewable resource if managed properly. 3% Earth’s water is fresh water - most locked in ice at poles Freshwater Resources

Pollutants are harmful materials that can enter biosphere. Sources include industrial, agricultural, and residential chemicals Water Pollution

Pollutant concentrations increase as they move up the trophic levels. Biological Magnification

Ways to protect the water supply: Pollution control Reduce or eliminate harmful pesticides. Water conservation like drip irrigation Water Quality and Sustainability

Common resource whose quality has a direct effect on health. Atmospheric Resources

Absorbs harmful UV radiation from sunlight Protects skin from cancer Ozone Layer

Industrial processes Burning fossil fuels Cause of Air Pollution

Smog Acid Rain Greenhouse Gases Particulates Forms of Air Pollution

Rain containing nitric and sulfuric acids Caused by releasing nitrogen and sulfur compounds; combine with water vapors and from acids. Effects kills plants Damages leaves Changes chemistry of the soil and surface water Acid Rain

Burning fossil fuels and deforestation releases carbon into atmosphere as CO 2 Contributes to global warming and climate change. Greenhouse Gases

N. Global Warming Vocab Quiz

What are the 4 forms of air pollution that we discussed in class yesterday? _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ Bell Ringer

Chapter 6-3: Biodiversity

Define biodiversity and explain its value. Identify current threats to biodiversity. Daily Objectives

Total of all the genetically based variation in all the organisms in the biosphere. Number and variety of organisms in an ecosystem can influence stability, productivity and value to humans. Healthy and diverse ecosystems play a role in maintaining soil, water and air quality. Biodiversity

Ecosystem Diversity - Variety of habitats, communities and ecological processes in the biosphere. Species Diversity - The number of different species in the biosphere or in a particular area. 1.8 million species identified and named Estimated up to 30 million more to be discovered Genetic Diversity - Sum total of all different forms of genetic information carried by a particular species, or all organisms on Earth. Types of Biodiversity

Greatest natural resources Contributions to medicine and agriculture Provides ecosystem goods and services Makes our world a beautiful, interesting place Valuing Biodiversity

Wild species are original sources of many medicines Painkillers - Aspirin Chemicals in the wild treat diseases like depression and cancer Foxglove – Heart Disease  Biodiversity and Medicine Willow bark

Wild plants may carry genes we can use for: Plant breeding Genetic engineering - transfer disease or pest resistance traits to plant crops. Biodiversity and Agriculture

Scientist estimate 99% of species that have lived are extinct Species loss is now approaching a thousand times the “typical” rate. Extinction

Altering habitats Hunting Introducing invasive species Releasing pollution into food webs Contribute to climate change Humans Reduce Biodiversity by:

Agriculture and urban development lead to the loss of habitats Habitat fragmentation - development splits ecosystems into pieces leaving “islands” Smaller islands have fewer species Altered Habitats

Hunting can lead to extinction Today endangered species protected; but not in parts of Africa, South America and Southeast Asia Hunting purposes Meat / Food Hides and skins for commercial value Body parts for medicinal properties Pets Hunting

When species are introduced into new areas Threaten biodiversity Change ecosystems Drive native species close to extinction E.g. Purple Loosestrife and Snakehead Fish Invasive Species