Transcript Effects on the Environment

Effects on the Environment
What harms the environment???
E.O. Wilson (Alabama native) stated:
“Biological diversity is the key to the
maintenance of the world as we know it.”
Ecology List Mania Activity
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Get with a partner and check out an iPAD
from the cart.
Pick up a list from you box and read over
your instructions carefully!
Once you have listed FIVE topics underneath
each… work on the Humans and the
Environment Crossword (Some of you may
have already done this!)
What are the effects?
 Invasive
(Nonnative) Species
 Natural Disasters
 Human Impact
Invasive Species
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An invasive species can be any kind of living
organism that is not native to an ecosystem
and which causes harm.
Invasive species are one of the leading
threats to native wildlife.
Approximately 42% of Threatened
or Endangered species are at risk primarily
due to invasive species!
Direct Threats of Invasive
Species
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Preying on native species
Out-competing native species for food or
other resources
Causing or carrying disease
Preventing native species from
reproducing or killing their young
Indirect Threats of Invasive
Species
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Changing food webs: Invasive species destroy or
replace native food sources. The invasive species
may provide little to no food value for wildlife.
Decreasing biodiversity: Invasive species can alter
the abundance or diversity of species that are
important habitat for native wildlife. Aggressive plant
species like kudzu can quickly replace a diverse
ecosystem with a monoculture of just kudzu.
Altering ecosystem conditions: Some invasive
species are capable of changing the conditions in an
ecosystem, such as changing soil chemistry or the
intensity of wildfires.
Types of Invasive Species in
the United States
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Feral Pigs
Asian Carp
Zebra Mussels
Kudzu
Do you know of any???
Natural Disasters
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Every year natural disasters challenge wildlife as
well as agricultural production. Because both rely on
the weather, climate, and water availability to thrive.
Agricultural and Wildlife impacts most commonly
include: contamination of water bodies, loss of
harvest or livestock, increased susceptibility to
disease, and destruction of irrigation systems and
other infrastructure.
These impacts can have long lasting effects on
production including crops, forest and wildlife
growth, and suitable lands, which require time to
mature.
Natural Disasters
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What are some natural disasters that you
know of?
Human Impact
POLLUTION
 HABITAT DESTRUCTION
 HUNTING & HARVESTING
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Pollution results in…
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Smog-water vapor mixed with chemicals that
result from human activities.
Ozone Thinning-caused by
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Global Warming-rising CO2 levels
Acid Precipitation-when air pollutants
combine with water in the atmosphere
All Human Impact
can result in…
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Harm of a keystone species-species that
affects many other species in a community
Endangered Species-a species that may
become extinct.
Extinction-the death of every member of a
species
Protecting the Environment
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Conservation: Scientists seek to identify,
protect, and manage natural areas that still
retain much biodiversity.
Restoration: Scientists devise plans to
reverse and replace missing ecosystem
components.