Download Effects of Catastrophic Events Notes • Tornadoes

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Effects of Catastrophic Events Notes
Tornadoes Effect on Ecosystems
Destroy buildings and vehicles; Kill humans and animals; Uproot trees; Scour the
soil down to the rock; New species of plants can grow in the cleared area; Plants
that survive can grow more abundantly than other species, which can hinder plant
and animal interaction; Loss of vegetation could lead to soil erosion
Hurricanes Effect on Ecosystem
Deaths due to flooding; Uproot trees; Destroy animal life; Destroy habitats;
Defoliate vegetation; Floodwater may carry toxic substances which affect water
quality; The storm surge causes sediment to erode and shift.
Mangrove forests are devastated by wind. These trees often become fuel for
wildfires; Saltwater intrusion from storm surge also changes the wetland
ecosystems.
Floods Effect on Ecosystem
Floods are important in maintaining ecosystem habitats and soil fertility.
Human attempts at managing flood prone areas disrupt natural flood cycle
Loss of life; Property loss or damage; Disease; Contamination of drinking water;
Destruction of crops and livestock; Erosion of coasts, leading to more flooding
Plant life may benefit from extra water; Groundwater supply replenished; Nutrients
in water can revive dying plants; The environment in areas where floods have
occurred are more suitable for the reproduction of species of birds and some other
animals.; Fish can breed in areas where flood water stays for an extended duration.
Flooding forces many wild and domestic animals from their natural habitats/homes
Wildfires Effect on Ecosystem
Destroy acres of forests; Burned vegetation in watersheds, leading to erosion;
Habitat destruction and animal endangerment; Poor air and water quality; Change
in soil composition, vegetation, & wildlife
New plants grow back quickly; Can be beneficial for maintaining an ecosystem if
properly managed and controlled
Drought Effect on Ecosystems
Surface and groundwater supplies are low, affecting humans and plants
Area may become desert-like; Crop failure; Livestock death; Increased forest fires;
Changes in energy production; Water shortages; High temperatures; Dry soils;
Effects of Volcanoes on Ecosystems; Poor air quality; Contaminated water;
Collapsed roofs; Destroy plants; Produce greenhouse gases that trap heat in the
atmosphere; Habitat destruction
Benefit: soil becomes very rich so the change of plant life returning is highly likely.
Earthquakes Effects on Ecosystems
Liquefaction of the ground; Landslides; Avalanches; Fires; Tsunamis; Contaminated
water supplies; Habitat destruction; Erosion; Property damage; Loss of life
Effects of Tsunamis on Ecosystems
Drowning; Flooding; Contaminated drinking water; Loss of habitat or homes; Fires
from broken gas lines; Erosion; Destroyed vegetation