1. Ch 6 Humans in the Biosphere

2. Resources
Sustainable development: provides for human needs while preserving the ecosystems that produce natural resources
Renewable resources: products that can be replaced by a healthy ecosystem
Example: trees
Nonrenewable resources: natural processes cannot replenish them in a reasonable amount of time
Fossil Fuels: coal, oil, gas
These are formed from organic materials over the years

3. Important Resources Soil Water Promotes agriculture and forestry
Soil Erosion: removal of soil by wind or water
Desertification  results from removal of soil
Deforestation  leads to severe soil erosion
Water
Needed for drinking water, transportation, energy, etc.
Pollutants harm the waters and the organisms using them
Biological magnification: pollutants are picked up by the organism and not eliminates
Pollutants magnify as you go through the trophic levels

4. Important Resources (cont.)
Air
Provides the oxygen we need to stay alive and the greenhouse gases to regulate the Earth’s temperature
Air Pollution
Smog: brown haze released by industrial processes
Acid Rain: cause by fossil fuels releasing nitrogen and sulfur
Greenhouse Gases: too much causes global warming and climate change

5. Biodiversity
Biodiversity: all genetically based variation in all organisms in the biosphere
Threats to Biodiversity
Altered habitats
Hunting
Invasive Species
Pollution
Climate Change
Conserving Biodiversity
Captive breeding programs
Preserving habitats and ecosystems