1. The positive and negative consequences on the natural environment by human interaction

2. The Back Story Human interactions or activities can have both positive and negative effects on Earth’s Natural Resources. Human interactions or activities can have both positive and negative effects on Earth’s Natural Resources. The negative effects get referred to as “environmental issues”. The negative effects get referred to as “environmental issues”. Most environmental issues affect individuals and/or groups differently, depending on their perspective on the situation. Most environmental issues affect individuals and/or groups differently, depending on their perspective on the situation.

3. Positive Interactions Recycling Centers Recycling Centers Native Plantings Native Plantings Good Farming Practices Good Farming Practices

4. Recycling Centers Recycling means to treat something so it can be used again. Three reasons to recycle: –T–T–T–To save a material or resource itself –T–T–T–To save energy EEEExample: It takes more energy to mine for aluminum than it does to recycle it. –T–T–T–To reduce the amount of material that ends up in a landfill. Recycling Trivia: Did you know that the first official recycling plant opened in New York in 1898? The facility sorted trash.

5. What to recycle in Prince George’s County…. Can go into the bins provided by Waste Management for curbside pick-up: Can go into the bins provided by Waste Management for curbside pick-up: –Glass –Mixed Paper/ Corrugated Cardboard –Plastics –Aluminum Must be taken to specific locations but often there are financial incentives to recycling them. Must be taken to specific locations but often there are financial incentives to recycling them. –Printer Cartridges –Batteries –Cell Phones –Motor Oil –Electronics

6. Native Plantings A native (indigenous) species is one that occurs in a particular region, ecosystem, and habitat without direct or indirect human actions. A native (indigenous) species is one that occurs in a particular region, ecosystem, and habitat without direct or indirect human actions. Species that are native to North America are generally recognized as those occurring on the continent prior to European settlement. Species that are native to North America are generally recognized as those occurring on the continent prior to European settlement. Bay Grasses

7. Why use Native Plants? They have already adapted to local soil, rainfall and temperature conditions. –Therefore, decreases the amount of water needed for landscape maintenance and require very little long-term maintenance if they are properly planted and established They have developed natural defenses to many insects and diseases. – –Therefore, native plants will grow with minimal use of water, fertilizers, and pesticides. Wildlife species evolve with plants. – –Therefore, they use native plant communities as their habitat.

8. More benefits to Native Planting Using native plants helps preserve the balance and beauty of natural ecosystems. They are an important genetic resource for future food crops They are an important genetic resource for future food crops They help to slow down the spread of fire because they stay greener longer. They help to slow down the spread of fire because they stay greener longer. New York ironweed

9. Benefits of Native Planting cont’d They produce long root systems to hold soil in place which will protect water quality by controlling soil erosion and moderating floods and droughts. They produce long root systems to hold soil in place which will protect water quality by controlling soil erosion and moderating floods and droughts. serviceberry

10. Good Farming Practices For the soil For the soil –To reduce erosion….  Hedging/ditching –To avoid run-off….  Appropriate/adequate use of fertilizer  Composting –To avoid losing important nutrients, especially during winter…..  Crop Cover-also to avoid nitrogen run-off  Crop Rotation –CSA Programs  Financially supporting local agriculture

11. Good Farming Practices cont’d For the water…. For the water…. –To reduce water loss…  Proper irrigation techniques –To avoid soil salinization….  Recycle water –To avoid nitrogen run-off….  Crop cover –To avoid water pollution…  Appropriate watering points for livestock  Water Harvesting –Catch pits

12. Let’s Review……

13. Let’s review…. Positive Interactions Recycling Centers Recycling Centers Native Plantings Native Plantings Good Farming Practices Good Farming Practices

14. Negative Interactions Negative Activity: Negative Activity: –Damage and Destruction to Habitats Consequences: Consequences: –Air Pollution –Land/Soil Pollution –Water Pollution

15. Damage and Destruction to Habitats Since the Industrial Revolution, we have been using machines to make things. Since the Industrial Revolution, we have been using machines to make things. Machines can cause pollution. Machines can cause pollution. In some places, entire towns have had to be abandoned due to the pollution levels. In some places, entire towns have had to be abandoned due to the pollution levels. Conservation Laws have been passed to protect our natural resources. Conservation Laws have been passed to protect our natural resources.

16. Air Air is vital to life. Air is vital to life. It provides oxygen to animals to breathe. It provides oxygen to animals to breathe. It provides nitrogen to help plants grow (fertilizes the soil). It provides nitrogen to help plants grow (fertilizes the soil).

17. Air Pollution It can become polluted in many ways. –Volcanic eruptions –Forest fires –Gases given off by cars –Factories, power plants and mining facilities

18. Land/Soil Soil provides minerals and nutrients that plants need to live. Soil provides minerals and nutrients that plants need to live. The plants are used as food for animals and humans to survive. The plants are used as food for animals and humans to survive.

19. Land/Soil Pollution Soil can be damaged in many ways. Soil can be damaged in many ways. It can be polluted with chemicals. It can be polluted with chemicals. It can be damaged by too many crops grown on it. It can be damaged by too many crops grown on it. Soil can erode away. Soil can erode away.

20. Water Water is everywhere. Water is everywhere. Think about all of the ways that we use water everyday. Think about all of the ways that we use water everyday.  Take baths, cook food, wash, growing food, and make electricity

21. Water Pollution Water resources can easily be polluted. Dumping waste into waterways causes pollution. Air pollution can get into the rain as it precipitates-acid rain. Improper farming techniques (chemical run-off, erosion and livestock waste) cause pollution.

22. So, let’s review…… Negative Activity: Damage and Destruction to Habitats Consequences: Air Pollution Land/Soil Pollution Water Pollution

23. Most environmental issues affect individuals and/or groups differently, depending on their perspective on the situation. Some examples may include: Developers vs. Current Residents Developers vs. Current Residents –Number of dwellings, clean water, maintain wetlands Wind Energy vs. Natural Gas Wind Energy vs. Natural Gas –Cost, availability Local Farmers vs. Corporate Agriculture Local Farmers vs. Corporate Agriculture  Farming practices, laws, incentives, CSA Composting vs. Store Bought fertilizers Composting vs. Store Bought fertilizers