Download 2013 Human Impact

Do Now:
How have humans impacted
their environment?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thuViaxRd_w&feature=related
Cool video landscapes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHTWDBF_6ZY&feature=related
Antarctic melting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJAbATJCugs
Global warming 101
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8qmaAMK4cM&feature=relmfu
6 degrees warmer Mass extinction
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=HA3xNMJnFuo
• Biodiversity video
BIODIVERSITY
The sum total of all the different species of organisms
and their habitats that make up the Earth is referred
to a species diversity or BIODIVERSITY.
Having lots of different kinds of organisms or high
biodiversity makes an ecosystem more stable.
Genetic Biodiversity
• Important to the survival of a species.
• If all members of the species are
genetically identical they are much more
prone to large scale blight.
• Important in both crop plants and wild
populations.
Amish Community
http://www.cbsnews.com/2100500164_162-700519.html
• Genetic disorders
in Amish
community
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKkTZt
N5aDA
• Species diversity Amazon
Species Diversity
• Important to the stability of communities and ecosystems.
• Ecosystems have evolved to work as units, if a species is
removed from an ecosystem its job in the ecosystem doesn’t
get done and the ecosystem may become unable to function
efficiently.
– Ex. Removal of large predators from our local ecosystem
has resulted in a huge increase in deer populations. This
over population has lead to the spread of Lyme disease.
Species Diversity
Section 6-3
Insects
54.4%
Protists
4.2%
Other Animals
19.7%
Plants
18%
Fungi
3.4%
Go to
Section:
Bacteria
0.3%
The Need for Biodiversity
Value of Biodiversity
• Biodiversity is one of Earth’s greatest
natural resources providing us with
food, industrial products, and medicines
(painkillers, antibiotics, heart drugs,
antidepressants, and anticancer drugs)
• When biodiversity is lost, potential
sources of material with significant
value to the biosphere and to humankind
may be lost.
DO NOW:
• Describe ways that we have contributed
to the loss of biodiversity.
Threats to Biodiversity
Pollution
Habitat Loss-Deforestation- Habitat
Fragmentation
Invasive Species
Over-exploitation- Hunting
Fishing Activities
Invasive species
Exotic Pet Trade
Climate Change
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HA3xNMJnFuo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7cPmwaq0Xo
Loss of biodiversity good video
Types of Pollution
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Agricultural Pollution
Air pollution
Acid rain
Smog
Ozone Depletion
Soil Pollution
Water pollution
Erosion
Agricultural Pollution
Pesticides (Atrazine & Amphibians
DDT
Fertilizers introduce heavy metals
Animal wastes (nitrogen)
AIR POLLUTION
Interferes with our ability to obtain clean air for breathing.
Burning fossil fuels (petroleum, coal, natural gas) produces harmful air
pollutants such as:
•smoke,
•ash,
•soot,
•sulfur
•nitrogen oxides,
•organic vapors,
•hydrocarbons
•carbon monoxide,
•carbon dioxide.
Too much carbon dioxide in
the air causes
GLOBAL
WARMING/CLIMATE
CHANGE
(gradual increase in the
earth’s temperatures) or
Greenhouse effect.
ACID RAIN
Sulfur and nitrogen oxides released by factories,
power plants and cars combine with water vapor to
create acid rain (nitric acid and sulfuric acid).
Acid rain is harmful to organisms that live in lakes and
forests.
Acid Rain ADK
The Formation
of Acid Rain
Section 6-2
Emissions to Atmosphere
Nitrogen oxides
Sulfur dioxide
Chemical Transformation
Nitric acid
Sulfuric acid
Condensation
Dry Fallout
particulates, gases
Industry
Go to
Section:
Transportation
Ore smelting
Power generation
Precipitation
Acid rain, fog,
snow, and mist
Trees killed by acid rain in the Great
Smoky Mountains.
Acid rain
SMOG
Smog forms when smoke, gas and fog are
warmed by sunlight.
Ozone depletion
What does the ozone layer do for us?
The ozone layer protects us from the suns harmful rays.
The suns harmful rays can cause mutations in cells.
What causes ozone depletion?
Caused by aerosol chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs) commonly used as coolants.
• Escape into atmosphere,
reacts with ozone (O3,
a protective atmospheric
layer)
• UV rays penetrate
atmosphere and cause
harm to many organisms
• http://www.5min.co • http://video.nationa
m/Video/Discoverin
lgeographic.com/vi
g-the-Hole-in-thedeo/news/environ
Ozone-Layerment495322270
news/antarcticaozone-vin/
• ok
• Ozone video good
Soil Pollution
Interferes with the ability to obtain water from wells, reduces
enjoyment of recreational areas, and may kill soil decomposers
important in the cycling of materials.
Soil pollutants include:
•Organic chemicals
•Inorganic chemicals
•Solid wastes
•Pesticides
What are the options to deal with
soil pollution?
What methods are there for disposing of waste materials?
 Landfill is the cheapest solution, but sites quickly
become full and the waste contaminates the
surrounding air, soil and water.
 Incinerating waste reduces volume, but often
produces toxic chemicals.
 Recycling materials allows them to be useful
again, and reduces the need to use more raw
materials.
 Composting uses natural biological processes
to decompose organic materials, but cannot
be used to dispose of non-biodegradable
waste.
WATER POLLUTION
Interferes with the ability to obtain pure water for drinking, washing,
recreation, and industry.
Water pollutants include:
•Heat (thermal pollution)
•Pesticides
•Sewage
•Heavy metals (lead, mercury) Bald Eagle Poisoned
•Chemicals such as phosphates- from washing detergents
•Toxic chemicals such as PCB’s- from industrial wastes
Algae die and decompose, using up all the oxygen.
Other aquatic organisms suffocate and die from lack of oxygen.
EROSION
Land that is used for industrial agriculture generally
experiences a significant greater rate of erosion than
that of land under natural vegetation, or land used for
sustainable agricultural practices.
Desertification
Turning once productive areas into deserts (usually
results from farming, overgrazing, and drought)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
NrXjKCd6kak&playnext=1&list=P
L84819A6A241D13D5&feature=r
esults_video
Habitat destruction
Habitat Loss
• When land is developed, natural
habitats may be destroyed and the
species that live in those habitats may
vanish.
DEFORESTATION
Caused by demand for wood products, need for space,
farmland, housing, roads
• Deforestation causes habitat fragmentation.
• Animals and plants are forced into confined areas.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBIA0lq
fcN4
• Deforestion amazon
DEFORESTATION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ6uP1HemkI&feature=related
Rainforest destruction
Habitat Fragmentation
Habitat fragmentation = development
of land that splits ecosystems into
pieces resulting in biological “islands”
with fewer species and smaller
populations more vulnerable to further
disturbances or climate changes
Habitat Fragmentation
Hunting
Over-exploitation
•
•
In the past, hunting for meat, fur, hides or other body parts caused
the extinction of some species.
Today, endangered species are protected from hunting by laws in most
of the world.
Hunting species to extinction
 Extinction = occurs when a species disappears from all or part
of its range
 Endangered species = species in danger of extinction with
declining population sizes
 As the population declines, the species loses genetic diversity,
making it more vulnerable to extinction
Endangered Species: Amur Leopard
Extinct Species: Dodo bird
Fishing Activities
Demand for fish and shellfish
• Fishing is harmful to the environment in many ways
• Bycatch, gear losses, trawling scours sea bottom
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=0Yov6aCqt8w
• Over fishing
Invasive species
Typically introduced by people accidentally or
intentionally
• Can cause problems if no natural enemies are present
• Islands and other confined ecosystems are at risk
Cane toad was introduced to
Australia to control cane
beetles, pest insects that
destroy sugar cane crops
Toads did not control cane
beetles, instead they took
over and cane toads are
unusually hardy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=rEfviq9t6kY&feature=related
• Zebra Mussell
• Invasive species
http://animal.discovery.com/vide
os/killer-aliens-burmesepython.html
• http://www.youtube
.com/watch?v=rI8Ii
LqIEV0
• Cane toad
Exotic Pet Trade
Capture and sell wild animals from exotic locations
• Wealthy buyers and collectors desire obscure
animals
• Animals removed from
their habitat causes an
imbalance in ecosystem
• http://www.youtube
.com/watch?v=lQE
7PAVQVLQ&featur
e=related
• Ape smuggling
Conserving Biodiversity
• Conservation = wise management of natural resources
– Preservation of habitats and wildlife to
protect Earth’s biodiversity for future
generations, however protected areas may
not be enough
• Current conservation efforts focus on protecting
individual species as well as entire ecosystems (to
ensure natural habitats and interactions among
different species are preserved).
Positive Human Activities
Clean-air regulations and controlling emissions has
improved air quality
•Tree farms = plant, promote growth, manage,
harvest and replant trees to preserve the
ecosystem
•Protect natural cycles because plants naturally filter and
purify water = Fresh Water Wetlands Act
Water conservation
Clean Water Act
•Limit the catch of fish populations
•Aquaculture = farming of aquatic organisms
•Sustainable agriculture = reduces soil erosion by
conserving soil’s properties
Sustainable Agriculture
Section 6-4
Cover Crops
Legumes, grasses, and other
cover crops recycle soil nutrients,
reduce fertilizer need, and
prevent weed growth.
Contour Plowing
Contour plowing reduces
soil erosion from land runoff.
On hilly areas, plowing is done
across the hill rather than
straight up and down.
Controlled Grazing
By managing graze periods and herd
densities, farmers can improve nutrient
cycling, increase the effectiveness of
precipitation, and increase the carrying
capacity of pastures.
A
B
Yr. 1
Yr. 3
oats alfalfa
oats alfalfa
Go to
Section:
C
Crop Rotation
Different crops use and
replenish different nutrients.
alfalfa By rotating crops, the loss
corn alfalfa (plowed in) of important plant nutrients
is decreased.
corn
Yr. 2
Biological Pest Control
The use of predators and parasites
to control destructive insects
minimizes pesticide use as well as
crop damage
corn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJAbATJCugs&feature=fvw
Global warming 101
Global Warming/
Climate Change
 A 0.5°C increase in the average temperature of the
biosphere in the past 120 years (abiotic factor)
 Some scientists believe the rising temperature may be due to
natural variations in climate
 Others believe it is caused by human activities adding carbon
dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere,
making the atmosphere retain more heat
 More carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels, cutting
down trees and burning forests
 It may result in rising sea level causing more frequent
and more severe weather disturbances
 Environmental changes benefit some species, but
greatly disturb others that may not survive
The Greenhouse Effect causes
Global Warming
The gradual increase in the earth’s temperature
The Greenhouse Effect
How hot can the greenhouse
effect get?
The planet Venus is further from the
Sun than Mercury but has an higher
average temperature. Its surface can
reach up to 482°C, which is hot
enough to melt lead!
Venus’ atmosphere is mostly made up
of carbon dioxide, which traps so
much of the solar radiation that the
planet becomes extremely hot.
The hostile climate conditions on Venus
make it impossible for life to survive.
Greenhouse Gases
Global Warming/Climate Change
• Use of machinery by humans seems to be increasing
atmospheric CO2 levels. Carbon dioxide prevents heat energy
from escaping, causes slight world wide temperature increases
Rising water temperatures
causes coral bleaching
Acidification of the Oceans
Ocean acidification is the name given to the ongoing
decrease in the pH of the Earth's oceans, caused by
the uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the
atmosphere. About 30–40% of the carbon dioxide
released by humans into the atmosphere dissolves
into the oceans, rivers and lakes.
Atmospheric carbon dioxide
Greenhouse gases
Carbon dioxide is
the largest single
contributor to
climate forcing
Carbon dioxide
contributes about
half of total
climate forcing
from greenhouse
gases
Global Warming
GLOBAL WARMING/
CLIMATE CHANGE
IS NOT
OZONE DEPLETION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thuViaxRd_w&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHTWDBF_6ZY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJAbATJCugs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8qmaAMK4cM&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE6Y0iEuXMQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqHw1hMEkAQ
DO NOW:
Describe global
warming.
What is contributing
to global warming?
Human Impact on the
Environment
Interrelationships
The Earth has limited resources to support the organisms that
live on it. Increasing human population numbers are putting
great pressure on many of these limited resources and deplete
those resources which can not be renewed. Many different
natural processes occur within those ecosystems influencing
humans.
Some of these processes include
atmospheric quality.
soil generation and conservation,
energy flow,
the water cycle,
waste removal and
recycling.
Human activities are altering the equilibrium involved in these
natural processes and cycles. If these changes due to human
activities are not addressed, the stability of the world's
ecosystems may irreversibly affected.
Many factors associated with human populations
have influenced environmental quality.
These include:
• population growth and distribution on our
planet, our use of resources,
• the ability of technology to solve
environmental problems,
• as well as the role of economic, political,
ethical, and
• cultural views in solving these problems.
Human Population Growth
Population Growth and
Environmental Impact
Human population growth pressures physical environment, need
for space and raw materials is going up
People in developed nations have a greater demand for raw materials
and generally more wasteful than underdeveloped countries
Fracking
• Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is the process of
extracting natural gas from shale rock layers deep within
the earth. Fracking makes it possible to produce natural
gas extraction in shale plays that were once unreachable
with conventional technologies. Recent advancements in
drilling technology have led to new man-made hydraulic
fractures in shale plays that were once not available for
exploration. In fact, three dimensional imaging helps
scientists determine the precise locations for drilling.
Fracking video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAxsTJd7VCA
Multiple-choice quiz
Technological Developments
Human activities which have harmed ecosystems have resulted in a
loss of diversity in both living things and the nonliving environment.
Examples of these changes include:
land use,
the cutting of vast areas of forest,
and pollution of the soil, air, and water.
Another way humans have changed ecosystems in a harmful way is by
adding or removing specific organisms to these ecosystems.
Our ever increasing demand for energy has impacted ecosystems
negatively as well.
Many environmental risks are associated with our use of fossil and
nuclear fuels.
Importance of the environment
Natural resources
• Non-renewable and renewable resources
• Non-renewable resources cannot be replenished by natural
processes includes fossil fuels (petroleum, coal)
• Renewable resources can regenerate and replaceable includes
animals, plants, water, wind, etc.
• But, even renewable resources can run out and there are
trade offs or consequences to using certain resources
Sustainable use of natural
resources = way of using natural
resources at a rate that doesn’t
deplete them to make sure
renewable resources are available
for future generations
Importance of the environment
Natural resources
• Renewable energy sources include solar energy,
wind power, geothermal energy, ocean currents
• http://www.youtube
.com/watch?v=fVI3BRBC6o
• Energy crisis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=-1EIhowgtgA alternative
enrgy sources
How is alternative energy
harvested?
•
•
•
•
Solar energy- solar panels
Wind energy- wind turbines
Hydroelectric energy- Dams
Hydropower-Tidal Power- Ocean
turbines
• Geothermal energy- Heat exchanging
piping
Solar Panels
Wind Turbines
Dams
Ocean Turbines
Importance of the environment
Natural resources
• Agriculture has many purposes such as food,
textiles, wood, paper
Importance of the environment
Natural resources
• Advances in biochemistry have allowed us to make
synthetic chemicals such as antibiotics, glues, or use
organisms to restore environments (bioremediation)
Bacteria can be
genetically altered to
consume crude oil and
other contaminants
Improvements
Individual choices and the actions of society
can contribute to the improvement of our
environmental problems. Our choices which
must include an assessment of the risks,
costs, benefits, and trade-offs of new
technologies and continued human
expansion. All changes and proposed
improvements need to consider both the
human and environmental impact of the
change.
The Value of a Healthy Biosphere
• A healthy biosphere provides us with
many valuable goods and services (food,
medicine, temperature control, water
purification, soil formation, etc)
• Make wise choices about resources
used, disposal, recycling, and energy
conservation
How can we recycle?
•
•
•
•
Plastics
Glass
Paper
Biodegradable matter- leave grass
cuttings on grass rather than throw
them away in landfill/ composting
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IgOMp
M2os&feature=&p=46CBF298C624E9D4&ind
ex=0&playnext=1
• recycling
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spSDdT
eiufA&feature=related
THE END
The Water Cycle
This bridge across the Danube
River links Hungary with Slovakia.