Transcript Ch. 6: Humans in the Biosphere

Ch. 6: Humans in
the Biosphere
O Objective:
O Recognize the consequences of the losses of
biodiversity due to catastrophic events,
climate changes, human activity, & the
introduction of invasive, non-native species.
Loss of Biodiversity
O 99% of all species that have ever lived are
now extinct
O The current rate of species loss is
approaching 1000 times the “typical” rate
Humans Reduce Biodiversity
O Altering habitats
O Hunting
O Introducing invasive species
O Releasing pollution into food webs
O Contributing to climate change
Altering Habitats
O Natural habitats are eliminated for
agricultural or urban development
O Habitat fragmentation: splitting an
ecosystem into pieces (ex. Oakleaf area was
once a forest!)
O Causes species to be more vulnerable to
other distrubances
Hunting
O Decreases genetic diversity
O Lessens the species chances of surviving
ecological disturbances
O Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species banned the
international trade in products on the
endangered species list
Invasive Species
O Not normally found in that area
O Have no predators in the new area
O Kill the species that are suppose to be in the
area
O Reproduce uncontrollably because of no
known predators or limiting resources
O Python Hunt
O Lionfish Hunt
Climate Change
O Get a textbook, open to page 177-179
O Read the case study #3: climate change
Human Activity
O Agriculture:
O Monoculture: practice of clearing large areas
of land to plant a single highly productive
crop year after year
O Impacts fresh water and fertile soil
O Fertilizer production and farm machinery
consume large amounts of fossil fuels.
Human Activity
O Development:
O Consumes farmland and divides habitats into
fragments
O Dense human communities produce large
amounts of wastes
O Wastes are NOT disposed of properly
O Affects air, water, and soil resources
Human Activity
O Industry:
O Most energy obtained by burning fossil fuels
O Coal, oil, and natural gas (methane)
O Discard wastes from manufacturing and
energy production directly into the air, water,
and soil
O Objective:
O Evaluate the costs & benefits of renewable
and nonrenewable resources (water, energy,
fossil fuels, wildlife, forests).
O Objective:
O Discuss the need for adequate monitoring of
environmental parameters when making
policy decisions.
Conserving Biodiversity
O Protecting individual species:
O AZA: carefully select and manage mating
pairs of animals to ensure maximum genetic
diversity
O SSP: protect threatened and endangered
species; reintroduce them into the wild
O Preserving habitats and ecosystems
O Ex) setting aside parks and reserves
O Considering local interests
O Offering rewards or other beneficial things for
preserving the habitats
O Objective:
O Predict the impact of individuals on
environmental systems and examine how
human lifestyles affect sustainability.
Sustainable Development
O Provides for human needs while preserving the
ecosystems that produce natural resources
O Should cause NO long-term harm to the soil, water, and
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climate
Consume as little energy as possible
Must be flexible
Must take into account human economic systems as well
as ecosystem goods and services
Must do more than just enable people to survive, it must
improve their situation