Pollution – Solid waste, pesticides, herbicides, salt, oil, nutrients, etc Invasive species Mining – Surface/strip mining/mountain-top removal – Underground – Fracking Habitat Disruption – Habitat fragmentation – Habitat loss & deforestation Video

Tall Grass Prairie then and now

Biodiversity Increased biodiversity creates a more stable environment 3 kinds: – Genetic diversity - variety of genes in a pop. or spp. – Species diversity – number of different species – Ecosystem diversity – variety of ecosystems in an area

Importance of Biodiversity Direct Economic Value – Food, clothing, medicine, genetic potential, etc Indirect Economic Value – O 2, Clean H 2 O, flood & drought protection, soil production, decomposition of wastes, climate regulation Aesthetic Value Scientific Value

Threats to Biodiversity Habitat loss Habitat Fragmentation Overexploitation Pollution Introduced species Biodiversity is a component of communities on land, in the air and in the water

Threats to Biodiversity Destruction – clearing of rainforest, big cities, urban sprawl, draining wetlands, etcurban sprawl Biodiversity is a component of communities on land, in the air and in the water Disruption – decline of one species affects others Habitat loss Baltimore, Maryland - Removal of Keystone species

Threats to Biodiversity Habitat Fragmentation Wildlife Corridor Biodiversity is a component of communities on land, in the air and in the water

Threats to Biodiversity Overexploitation – excessive use – Hunting, fishing, fur trade, etc – Can lead to premature extinction Passenger pigeons, dodo bird, tasmanian tiger, quagga, etc Biodiversity is a component of communities on land, in the air and in the water 1930s 1680s

Threats to Biodiversity Pollution – Point source & non-point source – Biological magnification – Acid rain – Eutrophication – Chemical spills and emmissions Biodiversity is a component of communities on land, in the air and in the water

Threats to Biodiversity Invasive species - no limiting factors Biodiversity is a component of communities on land, in the air and in the water Cane toads in Australia Video Lionfish

SO…. What can be done about any of it???

Ways to reduce our environmental impact: Slow population growth Decrease resource use and waste Increase use of environmentally beneficial technologies Phase out environmentally harmful technologies

Fixing & Preventing Human Impacts Recognize & take ownership Do SOMETHING about it! – Personal decisions add up Think “big picture” Ask questions Look for/find solutions “Vote” with your money – Social change – Governments, agencies & laws Conserve, protect & restore habitats

Conservation Use of natural resources – Renewable vs nonrenewable – Sustainable use – meeting needs now, while allowing for full future use Preservation Keep what already naturally exists – National Parks, nature preserves, public land – Build corridors between habitat fragments

Restoration Re-introduction of species Bioremediation Biological augmentation Laws Endangered species act Clean water act Clean air act