HUMAN IMPACT on the BIOSPHERE Part 1 A Changing Landscape
Humans participate in Food webs & cycles Biogeochemical http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/images/nitrogencycle.jpg Ecosystems provide us with GOODS & SERVICES a variety of http://www.brevardcounty.us/mrrp/images/misc/boat_cartoon.jpg http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/images/nitrogencycle.jpg
For image sources: see last slide GOODS & SERVICES provided by ecosystems Solar energy Oxygen production storage & recycling Nutrient
For image sources: see last slide Climate GOODS & SERVICES provided by ecosystems regulation Food production Habitats for wildlife
Images from: GOODS & SERVICES provided by ecosystems detoxification of human and industrial waste Natural pest and disease control
GOODS & SERVICES provided by ecosystems Source of new medicines purification Air & water erosion Soil and management runoff
HUMAN ACTIVITIES can change local and global environments! HUNTING AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY URBAN DEVELOPMENT Images from: http://www.cs.utexas.edu/users/s2s/latest/art1/src/proj/art/cave_art/hunters-deer.jpg http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/127525/2/istockphoto_127525_farming.jpg http://www.kidcrosswords.com/kidoutdoors/the%20environment/pollution_smokestacks.jpg http://www.lubee.org/images/about-threats-1.jpg
HUNTING AND GATHERING Throughout human history, people have hunted and fished in rivers, and gathered wild seeds, fruits, and nuts. We are still doing this today in many places. http://www.amonsoquath.net/gallery/pages/chee.html http://www.travelwriter.co.za/let-the-train-strain_p2.html
WHEN IT BECOMES A PROBLEM? OVERHUNTING POACHING http://msnbc.msn.com/id/8302763 http://www.aeffonline.org/images/poachersandelephant.jpg
OVERHUNTING can put animal populations at risk of extinction Miss Waldron s Red Colobus monkey Extinct 2000 Alagoas Curassow: extinct in wild 1980 s Dodo: extinct 1681 http://www.petermaas.nl/extinct/speciesinfo/misswaldronredcolobus.htm http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=spchtmdetails.asp&sid=100&m=0 http://lawyerkm.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/dodo_11.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/moa Moa: extinct 1500 s
http://www.southeastutah.org/photos/dino.jpg VOCAB Species that has died out = extinct Species whose population size is rapidly declining and will become extinct if the trend continues = endangered Species that is at risk of becoming endangered in the near future = threatened http://www.blackfootedferret.org/ http://www.fresnochaffeezoo.com/images/bald-eagle.gif
BIODIVERSITY THREAT http://www.lubee.org/images/about-threats-1.jpg Tropical rainforests are disappearing at a rate of about 80 acres per minute.
EXAMPLE: WHALES During the 19th and the earlier part of 20th centuries, over-hunting led to a severe of overkill whale populations, and to endangerment of many whale species. Minke whale = most hunted species http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/guides/456900/456973/html/nn1page1.stm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/whaling#conservation_status
EXAMPLE: North American Buffalo Wild buffalo in America once numbered 30-60 million, ranging from Virginia to Alaska and all points in between. Pile of bison skulls, 1870 s By 1884, the buffalo was close to extinction due to. overhunting http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/american_bison
WHAT PROBLEMS CAN THIS CAUSE? Many endangered animals today are threatened by Illegal poaching http://cnnstudentnews.cnn.com/earth/9710/02/kenya.ivory.ap/ http://www.aeffonline.org/images/poachersandelephant.jpg
WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP? Support Green organizations that work for laws to establish quotas and protect species. http://www.nwf.org/ http://www.maksimum.com/haberler/h/greenpeacee_cevre_cezasi.php http://www.sierraclub.org/ http://www.brookingshumane.org/ http://www.sierraclub.org/ http://www.ducks.org/states/62/index.html
HUMAN ACTIVITIES can also change local and global environments! HUNTING and GATHERING AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY URBAN DEVELOPMENT Images from: http://www.cs.utexas.edu/users/s2s/latest/art1/src/proj/art/cave_art/hunters-deer.jpg http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/127525/2/istockphoto_127525_farming.jpg http://www.kidcrosswords.com/kidoutdoors/the%20environment/pollution_smokestacks.jpg http://www.lubee.org/images/about-threats-1.jpg
By end of last ice age (about 11,000 years ago) humans began the practice of farming = AGRICULTURE Soon people around the world were growing crops and raising animals for food agriculture http://www.bu.edu/mzank/jerusalem/im/agriculture.jpg
Changing Agriculture The spread of agriculture was one of most important developments in human history. It provided food in large quantities that could be stored for later. Allowed people to settle in one place and enabled the of development cities, governments, laws, and writing. http://www.travelwriter.co.za/let-the-train-strain_p2.html http://www.museevirtuel.ca/exhibitions/inuit_haida/inuit/snowmobile.jpg
GREEN REVOLUTION 1. New more productive plant strains 2. Modern farming techniques allowed planting larger areas 3. Chemical Fertilizers & pesticides boosted crop production and controlled pests http://interactive.usask.ca/ski/media/stills/agriculture/crops/t_plant-breeder.jpg
Changing Agriculture Over the last 50 years, the green revolution has helped world food production. double Even though hunger is still a major problem in parts of the world, agriculture and the green revolution have provided many people with better nutrition. http://www.enjoy.org/hstech/hungersite02/america/fordschwartz/
Challenges for Future Modern agriculture has increased world, food supplies but has also created ecological challenges. Large scale monoculture leads to problems with Insect pests and. diseases Use of farm chemicals (fertilizers & pesticides) can damage beneficial insects, contaminate water supplies, and accumulate in the environment
Challenges for Future Finding enough water for irrigation is another problem. Less than ¼ of US farmland relies heavily on, irrigation but this area produces a major portion of our harvest. http://www.suu.edu/faculty/bowman/econ1740/heilbronerzinn/ogallala_aquifer_map_pic_2.gif
HOW DO WE HELP? Applying modern technology to farming is changing some of this environmental impact. EX: Satellite imaging and GPS technology enable farmers to apply chemicals only where needed
HOW DO WE FIX IT? EX: No-till and other green farming methods can reduce soil erosion and protect ecosystems http://cbarc.aes.oregonstate.edu/images/no-till.jpg
Sustainable Agriculture Ways Section 6-4 to preserve the environment Cover Crops Legumes, grasses, and other cover crops recycle soil nutrients, reduce fertilizer need, and prevent weed growth. Controlled Grazing By managing graze periods and herd densities, farmers can improve nutrient cycling, increase the effectiveness of precipitation, and increase the carrying capacity of pastures. A B C Biological Pest Control The use of predators and parasites to control destructive insects minimizes pesticide use as well as crop damage Contour Plowing Contour plowing reduces soil erosion from land runoff. On hilly areas, plowing is done across the hill rather than straight up and down. Yr. 1 Yr. 2 corn corn oats alfalfa alfalfa (plowed in) Crop Rotation Different crops use and replenish different nutrients. By rotating crops, the loss of important plant nutrients is decreased. Yr. 3 oats alfalfa corn
INDUSTRIAL GROWTH and URBAN DEVELOPMENT The impact of humans on the biosphere was transformed by the INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION during the 1800 s. http://www.archives.gov/research/american-cities/images/american-cities-015.jpg
Industrial productivity and scientific advancements have provided us with the we enjoy today modern conveniences http://www.vallartasource.com/images/cell_phone.jpg http://www.danielwiener.com/daniel/tips/archives/humvee_2.jpg http://www.scriptfx.com/gallery/computer/laptop.jpg http://www.wii-volution.com/images/wii/gamecube.jpg http://www.nbz.ru/pic/catalog/ipod/ipod_color.gif
BUT... The spread of urban areas has resulted in the destruction habitats. Air, water, & soil pollution has had an impact on surrounding ecosystems. http://www.kidcrosswords.com/kidoutdoors/the%20environment/pollution_smokestacks.jpg
Energy production requires burning fossil fuels which impacts air quality and. global climate http://tuberose.com/environmental_toxicity.html