1. Environmental Health Chapter 3 Lesson 3.3 Biodiversity and Environmental Health

2. PA Academic Standards for Environment & Ecology Standard 4.3.10.C Standard 4.3.10.C Explain biological diversity as an indicator of a healthy environment. Explain biological diversity as an indicator of a healthy environment. Explain species diversity.Explain species diversity. Analyze the effects of species extinction on the health of an ecosystem.Analyze the effects of species extinction on the health of an ecosystem.

3. Learning Objectives Students will define and explain biological diversity. Students will define and explain biological diversity. Students will hypothesize the effects of species extinction on health of an ecosystem Students will hypothesize the effects of species extinction on health of an ecosystem

4. Biodiversity and Environmental Health How can we use a measure of biodiversity to determine the health of an ecosystem? How can we use a measure of biodiversity to determine the health of an ecosystem?

5. Let’s see what Bill Nye, the Science Guy, has to say …

6. Biodiversity Definition : Definition : variety of living organisms on earth Biodiversity varies by Biodiversity varies by habitat The overall of an ecosystem is directly related to its biodiversity The overall health of an ecosystem is directly related to its biodiversity When in, the number of species is balanced by the resources in a system When in equilibrium, the number of species is balanced by the resources in a system When ecosystems are, the organisms and resources in a system are no longer in equilibrium When ecosystems are stressed, the organisms and resources in a system are no longer in equilibrium

7. Biodiversity

8. Biomonitoring Definition : biological approach to monitoring an ecosystem’s health. Definition : biological approach to monitoring an ecosystem’s health. Using living organisms to gauge environmental health. Ecosystem monitoring incorporates sampling & analyzing biological factors Ecosystem monitoring incorporates sampling & analyzing biological factors Certain types of organisms occur within a of conditions Certain types of organisms occur within a limited range of conditions Example: ability to tolerate fluctuations in precipitation and temperature in seasonal climates When conditions change, the and of organisms in an affected site will also change When conditions change, the distribution and number of organisms in an affected site will also change These changes are the premise of biomonitoring These changes are the premise of biomonitoring

9. Biomonitoring How can we use biomonitoring in aquatic systems? How can we use biomonitoring in aquatic systems? Aquatic systems generally contain populations of bottom-dwelling invertebrate species If most systems have bottom-dwelling invertebrate communities, then biomonitoring always works for a comparison of data within systems, as well as between unrelated systems

10. Benthic Macroinvertebrates Why use bottom-dwelling invertebrates?   They are present in nearly all aquatic ecosystems   Easy to collect and identify   Limited mobility Inability to avoid poor water quality conditions   Sensitive to a wide range of environmental conditions

11. Invertebrate Sampling Chart

12. Bottom-dwelling Invertebrates: Field Studies Invertebrates are collected by nets and screening devices using a variety of sampling techniques Invertebrates are collected by nets and screening devices using a variety of sampling techniques Identification of specimens Identification of specimens Data collection Data collection The number and type of organisms is recordedThe number and type of organisms is recorded Data Analysis Data Analysis Charts have been developed to use a scoring table that assigns a value to the level of tolerance an organism exhibitsCharts have been developed to use a scoring table that assigns a value to the level of tolerance an organism exhibits The data is “scored” using these tablesThe data is “scored” using these tables Conclusion Conclusion Data is reviewed, compared, repeated, and an overall tally of indicators determines the overall health of the systemData is reviewed, compared, repeated, and an overall tally of indicators determines the overall health of the system

13. Humans and Species Extinction Biomonitoring studies have shown that the health of ecosystems statewide and nationally, have since monitoring programs began Biomonitoring studies have shown that the health of ecosystems statewide and nationally, have improved since monitoring programs began Despite this accomplishment, ecologists estimate that the current rate of extinction of species is 10,000 times faster than normal extinction rates Despite this accomplishment, ecologists estimate that the current rate of extinction of species is 10,000 times faster than normal extinction rates Habitat loss is the most common reason for this increased rate Habitat loss is the most common reason for this increased rate

14. Habitat Alternations Main causes of habitat destruction include Main causes of habitat destruction include Sprawl Pollution Logging and mining Fire suppression

15. Sprawl Problem: urban sprawl is the result of unplanned development around urban areas Problem: urban sprawl is the result of unplanned development around urban areas Problem: major cause of habitat loss from the removal of trees to clear properties, drainage and filling of wetlands, and increased amounts of impervious surfaces Problem: major cause of habitat loss from the removal of trees to clear properties, drainage and filling of wetlands, and increased amounts of impervious surfaces Realistic Solution: Realistic Solution: Smart Design

16. Smart Design Basics Aims to reduce the amount of sprawl and associated pollution Aims to reduce the amount of sprawl and associated pollution Aims to increase the amount and affordability of mass transit systems Aims to increase the amount and affordability of mass transit systems Aims to provide alternatives to nonrenewable fuel consumption Aims to provide alternatives to nonrenewable fuel consumption Aims to provide ecological ways of incorporated the needs of a growing population with the need for access to urban areas Aims to provide ecological ways of incorporated the needs of a growing population with the need for access to urban areas

17. Pollution Problem: results in the contamination of all forms of medium: air, water, and soils Problem: results in the contamination of all forms of medium: air, water, and soils Problem: results in habitat degradation and habitat loss Problem: results in habitat degradation and habitat loss Case Study: DDT in Pennsylvania Case Study: DDT in Pennsylvania

18. DDT What is DDT? What is DDT? How is DDT linked to habitat loss and decreases in overall habitat quality in Pennsylvania? How is DDT linked to habitat loss and decreases in overall habitat quality in Pennsylvania? What has been done to address the concerns associated with the use of DDT in Pennsylvania? What has been done to address the concerns associated with the use of DDT in Pennsylvania?

19. DDT: Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane What is it? What is it? Chlorinated organic pesticide.Chlorinated organic pesticide. Problem: Accumulates in fat.Problem: Accumulates in fat. Problem: Attacks nervous system.Problem: Attacks nervous system. Problem: Affects non-targeted species.Problem: Affects non-targeted species.

20. Uses of DDT Historical Agricultural productionAgricultural production Limits crop lossesLimits crop losses ForestryForestry Limits insect damageLimits insect damage Public healthPublic health Malaria and Mosquito controlMalaria and Mosquito controlCurrent Malaria control in “hot spots”Malaria control in “hot spots”

21. USDA 1947 Widespread Use of DDT

22. Current Status of DDT Banned in US in 1972 Banned in US in 1972 Most other nations have banned DDT Most other nations have banned DDT ~19 countries still have exemption for its use~19 countries still have exemption for its use Primarily used to control the spread of diseases by mosquitoes

23. Migration of DDT particle

24. Bioaccumulation (Biological Magnification) Definition : the accumulation of potentially harmful chemicals in organism higher in a food chain Definition : the accumulation of potentially harmful chemicals in organism higher in a food chain

25. DDT and Food webs

26. Concept of Half-life Half-life is the amount of time it takes for half of the chemical substance to degrade Half-life is the amount of time it takes for half of the chemical substance to degrade The half life of DDT is 12-15 years. Let’s assume that the half-life is a constant 15 years. The half life of DDT is 12-15 years. Let’s assume that the half-life is a constant 15 years. If we apply 100 pounds of DDT today, how much DDT will be left after 5 half-life's? If we apply 100 pounds of DDT today, how much DDT will be left after 5 half-life's?

27. Half-life of DDT One Half-Life (15 years) Two Half-Lives (30 years) Three Half-Lives (45 years) Four Half-Lives (60 years) Five Half-Lives (75 years) 50% degraded 50 lbs. 75% degraded 25 lbs. 88% degraded 12 lbs. 94% degraded 6 lbs. 97% degraded 3 lbs.

28. Weighing in on DDT use… Pro Pro Toxic to wide range of insect pestsToxic to wide range of insect pests Appeared to have low toxicity to mammals and birdsAppeared to have low toxicity to mammals and birds Persistent - does not have to be reappliedPersistent - does not have to be reapplied Insoluble - doesn’t get washed off by rainsInsoluble - doesn’t get washed off by rains Inexpensive and easy to applyInexpensive and easy to apply Con Con Toxic to a wide range of insect pests Toxic to mammals and birds even in very low concentrations Persistent – does not have to be reapplied Insoluble – doesn’t get washed off by precipitation

29. Silent Spring When? When? 19621962 Who? Who? Rachel CarsonRachel Carson Biologist and naturalistBiologist and naturalist Noticed a “silent spring”Noticed a “silent spring” What? What? Silent Spring; response to massive use of pesticides and subsequent wildlife mortalitySilent Spring; response to massive use of pesticides and subsequent wildlife mortality

30. DDT Affects Non-Target Species Reproductive failure in birds Reproductive failure in birds Thinning of eggshells.Thinning of eggshells. Modification of parental behavior.Modification of parental behavior. High mortality of embryos and fledglings.High mortality of embryos and fledglings.

31. Pennsylvania Example: Peregrine Falcon Populations Rosalie Edge – Hawk Mountain Value of Raptors

32. What do we know about Latin America?

33. Latin America: The DDT Connection Falcons and other migratory birds can travel as far as Latin America during period of migration Falcons and other migratory birds can travel as far as Latin America during period of migration Latin America still uses DDT as a means of mosquito and pest control Latin America still uses DDT as a means of mosquito and pest control Falcons traveling to these regions are coming in contact with DDT; exposure to DDT occurs while falcons are in Latin America Falcons traveling to these regions are coming in contact with DDT; exposure to DDT occurs while falcons are in Latin America

34. Logging and Mining: Problems Logging and mining have destroyed many habitats statewide Logging and mining have destroyed many habitats statewide Timber extraction increases erosion and sediments in waterways Timber extraction increases erosion and sediments in waterways Acid mine drainage acidifies waterways Acid mine drainage acidifies waterways

35. Logging and Mining: Realistic Solutions Minimize and prevent further destruction Minimize and prevent further destruction Create and enforce regulations that oversee land use for these practices Create and enforce regulations that oversee land use for these practices Restore and replace destroyed habitats for wildlife and recreational use Restore and replace destroyed habitats for wildlife and recreational use RECLAMATION

36. Fire Suppression: Problems Interrupts natural processes of ecological succession Interrupts natural processes of ecological succession Disturbs the cycles of organisms which depend on periodic fires Disturbs the cycles of organisms which depend on periodic fires Native plants vulnerable to competitors better adapted to survive fires Native plants vulnerable to competitors better adapted to survive fires What we want... What we have.

37. Fire Suppression: Realistic Solution Allow controlled fires to prepare land for ecological succession to occur Allow controlled fires to prepare land for ecological succession to occur