1. The Human Impact on the Environment

2. Biodiversity -
The total of all the different species living in a given area.

3. Where do we find the greatest biodiversity?
RAINFOREST

4. Biodiversity = Stability
The greater the biodiversity the greater the stability of an ecosystem.

5. Ecosystems will have a greater chance of maintaining equilibrium over a long period of time if they have
(1) organisms imported by humans from other environments
(2) a sudden change in climate
(3) a diversity of organisms
(4) predators eliminated from the food chains

6. Threats to Biodiversity (-)
Habitat destruction
Deforestation
Global Climate Change
Species Exploitation
Species Extinction

7. Amazon Deforestation

8. Deforestation Upsets Carbon Cycle More CO2 into atmosphere
Less O2 into the atmosphere

9. Slash and Burn

10. Extinction vs. Endangered Species
Extinction is when a species is completely wiped out of its habitat
Endangered species is when a species’ population is declining rapidly and they are close to extinction

11. Extinct Species

12. Endangered Species

13. Every hour a species becomes extinct!

14. Is that OK with you?

16. Long Island’s own – Piping Plover

17. Why is Biodiversity important to me?
Most of our pharmaceuticals or medicines come from plants, animals, and fungi that are found in the rainforest.

18. One irreversible effect of both deforestation and water pollution on the environment is the
(1) extinction of species
(2) thinning of the ozone shield
(3) depletion of atmospheric carbon dioxide levels
(4) increase in renewable resources

19. What can we do about protecting biodiversity? (+)
Plant trees
Protect species with laws about poaching
Stop deforestation
Protect habitats

20. Human activities have had a major impact on biodiversity
Human activities have had a major impact on biodiversity. Scientists cannot solve this problem alone. Concerned individuals need to be involved in restoring and maintaining biodiversity.
Explain how a loss of biodiversity today can affect the survival of humans in the future.
State one specific action that you as a student can take in your community to help maintain or increase biodiversity. [1]

21. CO2 can increase with deforestation.
O2 can decrease.
Lack of medicines
Shortage of food

22. Environmental club – clean up trash
Recycle
Conserve energy
Preserve habitats

23. Which ecosystem is more stable a potato field or a forest?

24. The Tragedy of the Commons

25. Renewable Resources
These are resources that can regenerate or replace themselves.
Trees – if you cut own down another can grow!
Clean energies

26. Non-renewable Resources
A resource that can NOT be replaced or replenished by natural processes
Fossil Fuels
(oil, gas, coal)

27. In order to reduce consumption of nonrenewable resources, humans could
(1) burn coal to heat houses instead of using oil
(2) heat household water with solar radiation
(3) increase industrialization
(4) use a natural-gas grill to barbecue instead of using charcoal

28. To Drill or Not to Drill!

29. Alaskan Caribou

30. Alaskan People

31. Over the past few decades, many oil companies have discovered oil below the seafloor near the coasts of many states. Some states, however, refuse to permit offshore oil drilling, fearing it might damage the environment. Discuss both sides of this issue. In your answer, be sure to:
state one way in which offshore oil drilling might have a long-term negative effect on the environment [1]
state one way in which offshore oil drilling could benefit society [1]

32. Destroy habitats for marine organisms (-)
Water Pollution(-)

33. Use domestic instead of foreign (+)
Create jobs (+)
Increase oil supply (+)
Keeps prices low (+)

34. Sustainable Use of Resources
Using natural resources in a way that doesn’t deplete them
Plant a tree for every one cut down
Use biofuels
Alternative energies

35. Acid Rain
Causes: burning of fossil fuels and factories with smoke stacks release sulfur into the air making precipitation acidic.

36. Acid Rain Effects
Destroys plant tissues
Destroys aquatic ecosystems
Destroys many statues

37. Acid Rain on pH scale

41. Acid Rain Solutions
Create laws that limit emissions from smoke stacks.
Create laws that mandate (force) factory owners to use scrubbers on smoke stacks
Use cleaner fuel sources

42. Most smoke stacks now have scrubbers!

43. Increase in the average temperature of the biosphere
Global Climate Change
Increase in the average temperature of the biosphere

44. The Evidence
In the past 120 years the average global temperature has risen .5 degrees Celsius
The 1990’s was the hottest decade on record

45. The Projections
Computer models suggest that the average global temperatures will increase by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius by 2050.

46. The Cause of Climate Change
Increased amounts of CO2 that enters the atmosphere, from burning of fossil fuels
Increased amounts of greenhouse gases like methane

49. The Effects of Climate Change
Polar ice caps will melt causing massive flooding

51. The Effects of Climate Change
More severe weather systems or storms

53. The Effects of Climate Change
Increased distribution of insects that carry deadly diseases - MALARIA

54. The Effects of Climate Change
The environmental change favors certain species like rodents, weeds, and insects

55. The Effects of Climate Change
Increased droughts

56. Solutions for Climate Change
Create laws that limit Carbon dioxide emissions – The Kyoto Treaty
Use hybrid cars
Limit your energy consumption
Educate people about the issues

57. Solutions for Climate Change
Use of alternative energies
Wind farms
Solar farms
Geothermal energy
Nuclear energy

58. Wind Farms

59. Solar Farms

60. Geothermal Energy

61. Nuclear Energy

62. Pros and Cons of Nuclear Energy
Little greenhouse gas emissions
Readily available technology
Huge amount of energy is generated from one single plant

63. Pros and Cons of Nuclear Energy
Risk of radioactive disaster
Radioactive waste
Heats up surrounding water often harming the ecosystem

64. Ozone Depletion
Ozone layer protects the earth from harmful UV rays

65. Without Ozone

67. Cause of Ozone Depletion
Emission of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) into the atmosphere

69. Effect of Ozone Depletion
Increase UV rays increases the skin cancer rates

70. Effect of Ozone Depletion
Other species of plants and animals may also be affected by UV radiation. The species genes will mutate sometimes causing cancer, death, or infertility.

71. Solution to Ozone Depletion
The use of CFC’s was banned by international law – Montreal Protocol of 1989

72. Ozone hole today!

73. 1)
Hydrocarbons
Reduce Pesticide Use
Reduce Auto exhaust 2)
Sulfur Dioxide
Reduce burning fossil fuels 3)
Carbon Dioxide
Reduce car use
Reduce deforestation 4)
CFC’s
Use alternatives to CFC’s

74. Organisms will have to adapt to the new environment
Without an ozone, organisms are not protected by harmful UV rays.

75.
Invasive Species

76. Invasive Species
Apparently harmless animals and plants that are transported around the world.
In their new habitats invasive species reproduce rapidly because they lack predators that keep their population in check.

77. Purple Loosestrife
Brought to America from Europe in the 1800’s as an ornamental plant.
Destroys native wetland ecosystems

78. Purple Loosestrife
No herbivores eat this flower so it grows very rapidly and displaces native plant species.
Native cattails are endangered
because Purple Loosestrife
is taking up its space!

80. Zebra Mussels
Brought over on cargo ships during the 1980’s and are destroying the Great Lakes ecosystems

81. Zebra Mussels

83. Gypsy Moths
A native of Europe they were brought accidentally to the US in the 1880’s
They defoliate native trees like aspens

86. Sea Lamprey
Brought over from Europe on cargo ships the Sea Lamprey has killed many native fish in the Great Lakes

88. Sea Lamprey attach to other fish and “suck” out their guts!

91. Control of Invasive Species
Biological Control – using a predator from its homeland THAT WILL ONLY EAT THE TARGET SPECIES to kill native species or at least control it.

92. Leaf Eating Beetles and Purple Loosestrife
1 Year After Beetles Introduced
Before Beetles Introduced

93. Pesticide Use and Fertilizer Use

94. Pesticide & Fertilizer Use
Pesticides are used to kill insects and protect crops/plants
Fertilizers are used to increase the growth rate of crops/plants

96. Ecological Problems with Pesticides
Pesticides are dangerous, harmful chemicals that trickle down into ground water aquifers.

97. Biological Magnification
Chemicals accumulate or build up as it goes up the food chain often becoming lethal

98. Biological Magnification
Pregnant women are told not to eat seafood due to biological magnification of chemicals that can be harmful to the fetus

99. DDT Biomagnification and the Bald Eagle
DDT a pesticide to kill mosquitoes
Harmed the shells of Bald Eagles bringing them close to extinction

101. DDT Pesticide
Wide scale use of DDT banned in 1972 Stockholm Convention
Limited use today as disease vector control
The Bald Eagles are BACK!

102. Ecological Problems with Fertilizers
Fertilizers contain high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus that runs off into streams and marine ecosystems causing algae blooms.

103. Algae Bloom

104. Solutions- Eat Organic!
Super Happy Organic Farming Family

105. 1) No competition/no predators/ lg food supply
2) pass laws/inspections/increase public knowledge/stop illegal animal smuggling
3) Loosestrife  crowded out other plants
Mussels  outcompete native species
Snake  ate birds eggs and decrease bird populations

106. 7) Transfer pathogens (germs) – Spread Disease
Imported species can displace native species
Increased competition for food or habitat