Transcript Document

Human Impact on The Environment
Sharon Brostrom- Oceanography B4
Invasive Species
Invasive species are those that are
alien to an ecosystem that they have
been introduced into and…
• Are likely to cause harm to the
environment or human health
• exhibit an aggressive growth
habits
• out-compete and displace native
species
Federal Statutes:
The Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance
Prevention and Control Act of 1990
(NANPCA), as amended by the
National Invasive Species Act of 1996, is the
primary federal law dealing with aquatic
invasive species and
ballast water management. NANPCA
established the Aquatic Nuisance Species
Task Force, which is co-chaired by the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service. The legislation also addresses
research, prevention, species control,
monitoring, and information dissemination.
Overfishing
Phragmites australis
Pterois volitans
(Common reed, stout grass)
(Lionfish)
Description: Stalks reach heights
of 6-12 feet; color of inflorescence
is purple to light brown. Found at
edges of marshy areas, both fresh
and brackish water, along
roadsides, or in open disturbed
areas
Pathway: Natural immigration
Current Distribution: Found in all
of the New England states; native
to some parts of the U.S.; has
been in New England for at least
4000 years. Non-native strains
were also introduced and are
believed to be the ones with the
invasive tendencies.
Impact: Forms monocultures that
exclude native species.
Hemigrapsus sanguineus
(Asian shore crab)
Description: Also known as
Japanese shore crab; reaches 78 cm, brown striped legs with
red spots on claws, with three
spines on either side of
carapace.
Pathway: Introduced from Asia
to eastern seaboard most likely
by ballast water; discovered in
New Jersey in 1988; spread
north and south; reported in
Long Island Sound in 1993.
Current Distribution: Maine to
North Carolina; prefers rocky
cobble areas.
Impact: Dominant rocky
intertidal crab; consumes
juvenile mussels and oysters,
green crabs, snails, polychaetes,
algae, hydroids, barnacles.
The oceans supply us with food, help regulate our climate, and provide a livelihood for millions of people.
We depend on them for recreation and renewal. But the bounty of our seas is not endless. Today, no part
of the oceans remains unaffected by human activities. And among the many factors influencing our ocean
ecosystems, few have as great an impact as fishing and aquaculture. Through better practices, we can
create healthy, abundant oceans for everyone.
Description: Also known as
zebrafish or turkeyfish; one of
several species of venomous coral
reef fishes; striking reddish-brown
striped pattern on body and fins
Pathway: Native to Indian and
Pacific Oceans; introductions
likely the result of intentional or
unintentional releases by
aquarists; first reported in LIS
(1999).
Current Distribution: Florida to
Long Island Sound; seasonal
invader of eastern Long Island
Sound; comes in with warm core
rings of water that break off from
Gulf Stream; first observed by
divers in Florida in 1994
Impact: Venomous; no natural
predator.
What is the Seafood Watch Program?
• The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program helps consumers and businesses
make choices for healthy oceans
• recommendations indicate which seafood items are "Best Choices," "Good
Alternatives," and which ones you should "Avoid”
• Seafood Watch recommendations are science-based, peer reviewed, and use
ecosystem-based criteria
Fish Resources:
• Humans have been fishing the oceans for thousands of years, but over the past five
decades technology has allowed us to fish farther, deeper and more efficiently than
ever before.
• Scientists estimate that we have removed as much as 90 percent of the
large predatory fish (shark, swordfish and cod from the world's oceans).
What can you do…
• Global catch of wild fish leveled off over 15 years ago and 85 percent
Support Sustainable seafood companies and restaurants (Whole Foods)
of the world's fisheries are being harvested at capacity or are in decline.
Use and share Seafood Watch pocket guides (iPhone and Android app)
What can you do?
Educate yourself
• Support Sustainable seafood companies and restaurants (Whole Foods)
• Use and share Seafood Watch pocket guides (iPhone and Android app)
Ocean Acidification
Types of Pollution
Carbon dioxide dissolves in the ocean, where it causes a potentially more serious problem  ocean acidification.
Ocean acidification poses a threat to shell-forming organisms like corals and calcifying plankton. As the ocean
acidifies, organisms such as corals, snails, and calcifying plankton will not be able to make their shells and grow.
CO2 + H2O
H2CO3
carbonic acid
CO2 + CO32- + H2O
2HCO3 –
carbonate ions bicarbonate ions
The
concentration
of carbonate
ions
decreases.
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Nitrogen (wastewater, farming)
Pharmaceuticals
Garbage
Heavy metals (Hg, Zn, Pb, Fe)
Chemicals (PCB’s, industrial waste)
Petroleum products
Pteropods are
zooplankton
and an
important prey
of fish.
Carbonic acid
reduces
ocean pH.
Coral reefs are the
most biodiverse areas
of the ocean.
This picture shows a difference in a
coral reef ecosystem as the
amount of dissolved CO2 in
seawater increases. As CO2
increases, water temperature also
increases and the pH of the
seawater decreases.
Pollution
Coccolithiphores
are the base of
the marine food
web.
Nonpoint Source Pollution: many smaller point sources
• Occurs as a result of runoff
• Caused by: septic tanks, cars, trucks, boats, farms, ranches,
construction sites, cities, etc.
• Hard to manage
• Loss of aquatic species diversity, damage to coral reefs, algae
blooms, sea grass bed decline, closure of beaches
(swimming) and shellfish beds
Point Source Pollution: Pollution originates from an
Nitrogen:
identifiable source
• Fertilizers; overfertilization of crops,
• Oil spills, algae blooms, industrial plants, sewage pipes
runoff
• Treated and untreated sewage
• Wastewater released from treatment
plants; combined sewer overflows
(CSO’s)
Rivers and streams
transport nutrients, salts,
sediments, and pollutants
from watersheds to
estuaries ( through runoff)
and ultimately to ocean.
Examples of nonpoint source pollution
Example of point source pollution
How Pollution Travels Through the Water Cycle
Pacific Garbage Patch
• Plastic, debris, chemical sludge trapped by currents in
Pacific
• Actually two patches; West and East
• About twice the size of the state of Texas
• Located between the Hawaiian Islands and California