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HUMAN IMPACT ON ECOSYSTEMS ‘The human species is unlike any other. Its population is growing virtually unchecked by the natural factors that limit other species’ populations.’ Hunter Fact #1: The Earth contains finite resources. Fact #2: Human population growth has grown rapidly and consistently over the past several decades. Fact #3: Human technology has developed. Fact #4: Human limiting factors have been progressively eliminated. Fact #5: Natural resources are being depleted. Fact #6: Human species is rapidly approaching the point at which it will be unable to sustain continued growth. Fact #7: Humans have used the Earth’s natural resources at an alarming rate. Fact #8: Conservation and recycling are just beginning. Every component of an ecosystem is connected To every other component in order to maintain An equilibrium. Natural ecosystems provide basic processes that affect humans. a. Atmosphere quality b. Generation of soil c. Nutrient cycles d. Removal of wastes e. Energy flow f. Recycling When the human impact disrupts this balance, multiple disruptions will result and the effects produced will be long term. The ecosystem will not have the processes needed to repair the damage in a short term period. Sahara desert: 2000 years ago was a forested area. Deforestation soil erosion and dehydration From sun and wind stable forest ecosystem altered Native species died or emigrated out of area. Interestingly, the desert is growing at a rate of 100 square miles a year. Warning signs Deformed species Decreased populations Declining health Loss of biodiversity Chemicals: Nitrates: fertilizers, septic systems, wastewater overuse: runoff into water=lack of oxygen algae bloom heart related birth defects animal contamination damage to ozone layer from NO2 **Safe Drinking Water Act Asbestos: natural insulator for heat and electricity overuse: damages lung function, leads to lung cancer. **Special techniques to remove and seal asbestos CFC: (chlorofluorocarbons) used as refrigerantnontoxic to humans and inflammable overuse: depletes ozone layer= global warming, increased UV levels **International law to phase out use of CFCs Phosphates: used to soften water for better cleaning overuse: runoff, soil and water contamination detrimental to aquatic life algae bloom oxygen level depletion **Individual state laws to prohibit use of phosphates In detergents. Dioxin: byproduct of backyard burns and paper mills. overuse: moves up the food chain=humans infected through food. carcinogen-soft tissue cancers birth defects **EPA strict controls on incinerators and waster. Mercury: thermometers, thermostats, fillings overuse: birth defects, brain disease, water pollution moves up the food chain **Mercury products are closely controlled or prohibited, special disposal procedures are in place. Hydrocarbons: plastics, adhesives, fuels, paints overuse: oil spills, lung diseases, fatal **controls on the use of hydrocarbons in residential Use, regulations on the transportation of fuels. Lead: (low solubility) plumbing, jewelry, paints overuse: water contamination, brain damage, fruit and vegetable contamination. **Low Lead Impact Act-reduced lead levels in paint, Toys and furniture. Plastics: had its origin during WWII for parachute cords, found just about everywhere overuse: biggest problem presents with disposal And animal entanglement **recycling Pesticides: controls the activities and growth of pests and insects. overuse: air, water, land contamination affects almost all living organisms all symptoms of poisoning **Federal control of insecticides/pesticides for Residential use, restriction of some, promotion of Natural chemicals for same purpose Fossil Fuel Use: animal fats and oils always used for fire. After Industrial Revolution and invention of the automobile, need for fuel overuse: air pollution, nonrenewable resource global warming **alternate fuels Fracking: process to extract natural gas left after traditional means, gas is trapped in shale overuse: chemicals used cause water and ground contamination. Any organism feeding off the land and water would be poisoned **To date no action has been taken to stop fracking Ecycling: reuse and recycling of digital and computer devices overuse: became a noticeable problem when landfills became main disposal for all electronics secondary effects-plastics, Hg, gas **legislature in 2010 established means for Localities to establish ecycling centers Disposal: establishment of landfills or dumping ground for unwanted waste overuse: land pollution and misuse of land **recycling has helped limit the amount Technology has reduced size of many personal items. Soil Contamination: pesticides, disposal, plastics, hydrocarbons, lead, mercury, phosphates, nitrates. overuse: nausea, respiratory problems, birth decline, insect and bird death, water pollution **Control on chemicals used Strip mining: soil and earth removed to expose coal. Mining strips down to bedrock. overuse: with loss of soil, there is a loss of plants, and organisms that live off the land **Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act Mandates that companies mine with permits and That land is recovered by the companies Global Warming: increased temperature of earth, melting of polar caps, loss of shorelines