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Name Class Date 6.4 Meeting Ecological Challenges Lesson Objectives Explain the concept of ecological footprint. Identify the role of ecology in a sustainable future Lesson Summary Ecological Footprints The ecological footprint of an individual or a population is the amount of land and water needed to provide resources, absorb wastes, and render the wastes harmless. Ecology in Action Three case studies illustrate the three steps of ecology in action: (1) recognize a change in the environment, (2) determine the cause of that change, and (3) change behavior to have a positive impact. Case Study 1: Atmospheric Ozone This gas blocks ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Ozone gas blocks ultraviolet (UV) rediation. The ozone layer is an area of relatively high concentration of ozone in the atmosphere, between 20 and 50 kilometers above Earth’s surface. In the 1970s, a hole in the layer was observed. Regulations reduced CFC use, and the hole may be slowly disappearing. Case Study 2: North Atlantic Fisheries Commercial fish catches have declined in recent years. The cause is overfishing. Regulations closed some fishing grounds to allow fish stocks to replenish. In the mean time, aquaculture, or fish farming, also can provide food for people. Case Study 3: Climate Change Global warming, the rise in the biosphere’s average temperature, and climate change, a shift in Earth’s overall weather patterns, has occurred. Physical evidence includes rising sea levels due to melting ice. Biological evidence includes temperature-related behavior changes in organisms. Using less fossil fuel will reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Ecological Footprints For Questions 1–2, refer to the Visual Analogy that shows examples of factors that contribute to a population’s ecological footprint. 1. VISUAL ANALOGY Why do you think ecologists use the term footprint to describe the total resources a population uses and its wastes that must be absorbed? 91 Name Class Date 2. Explain this statement: The average American has an ecological footprint more than four times larger than the global average. Ecology in Action 3. List three factors that will affect the future of the biosphere. 4. Complete the table to summarize how the basic principles of ecology can lead to positive impacts on the environment. Examples of Ecology in Action Environmental Change Cause Behavior Change Needed Hole in the ozone layer Declining numbers of fish in the oceans Global warming and climate change Case Study 1: Atmospheric Ozone For Questions 5–7, complete each statement by writing the correct word or words. 5. The ozone layer is a high concentration of ozone at about Earth’s surface. above 6. The ozone layer is important to humans because it protects against exposure to from the sun. 7. UV radiation causes ,damages eyes, and reduces resistance to disease. Case Study 2: North Atlantic Fisheries For Questions 8–10, complete each statement by writing the correct word or words. 8. Technologies that have led to large increases in the mass of ocean fish caught include large boats and high-tech equipment. 9. caused the decline in fish catches since 1997. 10. An alternative to commercial fishing is ,which produces large amounts of food with minimal environmental damage if properly managed. 92 Name Class Date Case Study 3: Climate Change Use the graph to answer Questions 11–12. 11. How does the change in global temperature between 1850 and 2000 compare with the change that occurred between 1850 and 1880? 12. List three factors that may have contributed to the trend shown in the graph. 13. Suggest three possible effects of global warming on the future of the biosphere. Apply the Big idea 14. Explain why populations with the largest ecological footprints change the biosphere the most. 93