Do Now: Select one of the following ecological problems. ECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS: (a) Acid rain (b) Increased amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous in a lake

Do Now: Select one of the following ecological problems.ECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS:

(a) Acid rain(b) Increased amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous in a lake(c) Loss of biodiversity

For the ecological problem that you selected, briefly describe the problem and state one way to reduce it. In your answer be sure to:

a) state the ecological problem you selected b) state how humans have caused the problem you selectedc) describe one specific effect that the problem you selected will have on the ecosystemd) state one specific action humans could take to reduce the problem you selected

Objective: Review and Practice Regents Questions on Human Impact on Ecosystem

Do Now: Ecological Problems

Acid rain

Cause: Air pollution from burning fossil fuels: car exhausts and industry air emissions contains sulfur and nitrogen compounds.

Effects: Lower pH of certain lakes which kills some fish

Action: Remove the chemicals from the exhaust before leaving the factory

Select one of the following ecological problems.ECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS:



a) state the ecological problem you selected b) state how humans have caused the problem you selectedc) describe one specific effect that the problem you selected will have on the ecosystemd) state one speific action humans could take to reduce the problem you selected


Ecological Problems

Increased amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous in a lake

Cause: fertilizer runoff from farms into the lakes

Effect: rapid aging of lakes, fish die suffocated

Action: use less fertilizer

Select one of the following ecological problems.ECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS:



a) state the ecological problem you selected b) state how humans have caused the problem you selectedc) describe one specific effect that the problem you selected will have on the ecosystemd) state one specific action humans could take to reduce the problem you selected

Action enforce laws to protect species and habitatshabitat rehabilitation, reforestation


Ecological Problems

Loss of biodiversity

Cause: overhunting, habitat destruction, deforestation, water and land pollution

Effect: loss of sources for future new medicines

Choose one ecological problem from the list below.ECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS:

•Global warming•Destruction of the ozone shield•Loss of biodiversity

Discuss the ecological problem you chose. In your answer be sure to state:(1) the problem you selected and one human action that may have caused the problem(2) one way in which the problem may negatively affect humans(3) one positive action that could be taken to reduce the problem

ECOLOGICAL PROBLEM

CAUSE NEGATIVE EFFECT POSITIVE ACTION

GLOBAL WARMING

Burning fossil fuelsDeforestationAuto emissions

Changes in weather patternsIncrease in temperature Increase in natural disasters (floods, storms)Loss of icecap

ReforestationAlternative energyCarpooling & public transportationReducing CO2 emissions


Ecological Problems

ECOLOGICAL PROBLEM

CAUSE NEGATIVE EFFECT POSITIVE ACTION

DESTRUCTION OF OZONE SHIELD

Use of CFCs that destroy ozone shield

Increase exposure to UV rays Sunburn

•Cancer

•Damage eyes

•Decrease organisms’ resistance to disease

Reduce use of chemicals that destroy ozone shield

Reduce use of CFCs in aerosols





Ecological Problems

ECOLOGICAL PROBLEM

CAUSENEGATIVE

EFFECTPOSITIVE ACTION

LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY

DeforestationWater and land pollutionImport of speciesOverhunting, overfishingGlobal warmingOzone depletion

Loss of future sources of medicineLoss of species

Law and legislation to protect habitat and speciesReforestation





Ecological Problems


Ecological Problems

An individual has placed an editorial in the community newspaper stating that the local recycling program should be discontinued. Respond to this editorial by explaining the importance of the local recycling program for the environment. In your explanation be sure to:

• state one effect the increasing human population will have on the availability of natural resources • state one reason why recycling is important• identify two natural resources or products made from natural resources that can be recycled

Water and wood (paper) are natural resources that can be recycled

Increasing human population will decrease the availability of natural resources

Recycling reduces water and land pollution


Impact of Highways on Rain Forest

A tropical rain forest in the country of Belize contains over 100 kinds of trees as well as thousands of species of mammals, birds, and insects. Dozens of species living there have not yet been classified and studied. The rain forest could be a commercial source of food as well as a source of medicinal and household products. However, most of this forested area is not accessible because of a lack of roads and therefore, little commercial use has been made of this region. The building of paved highways into and through this rain forest has been proposed.

Discuss some aspects of carrying out this proposal to build paved highways. In your answer be sure to:(1) state one possible impact on biodiversity and one reason for this impact(2) state one possible reason for an increase in the number of some producers as a result of road building(3) identify one type of consumer whose population would most likely increase as a direct result of an increase in a producer population(4) state one possible action the road builders could take to minimize human impact on the ecology of this region

• 1. Building paved highways will decrease biodiversity because it will destroy the habitat of many plants and animals

• 2. Cars will kill some herbivores (deer, rabbits, raccons) therefore plant population will increase

• Plant population will increase because more light becomes available along the side of the road


Impact of Highways on Rain Forest

A tropical rain forest in the country of Belize contains over 100 kinds of trees as well as thousands of species of mammals, birds, and insects. Dozens of species living there have not yet been classified and studied. The rain forest could be a commercial source of food as well as a source of medicinal and household products. However, most of this forested area is not accessible because of a lack of roads and therefore, little commercial use has been made of this region. The building of paved highways into and through this rain forest has been proposed.

Discuss some aspects of carrying out this proposal to build paved highways. In your answer be sure to:(1) state one possible impact on biodiversity and one reason for this impact(2) state one possible reason for an increase in the number of some producers as a result of road building(3) identify one type of consumer whose population would most likely increase as a direct result of an increase in a producer population(4) state one possible action the road builders could take to minimize human impact on the ecology of this region

3. Herbivores would increase in number as a direct result of an increase in a producer population.

4. Provide pathways for animals to cross the road Take steps to reduce erosion Limit the size of the road

In New York State, a certain lake was known to contain a number of fish of many species. Following a series of rainstorms that had blown in from industrial centers west lake, many of the fish died. There was no industrial, commercial, residential, or agricultural development on the lake. Using one or more complete sentences, state a valid explanation for the death of the fish.

The death of the fish is caused by the acidification of the lake due to acid rain.

Burning fossil fuels produces nitrogen an sulfur compounds, that combine with moisture in the atmosphere. When rain falls to the Earth has a lower pH level –more much acidic- which kills the fish in the lake.


Many rivers in the United States, such as the Mississippi have a lot of pollution that enters them from adjacent farmlands. Why should people that catch and eat fish from these polluted rivers be concerned?

Because biological magnification

The concentration of a pollutant multiplies as it passes up the food chain from producers to consumers.

People who eats the fish take in high concentration of pollutants as the fish belong to the top level of the food chain


In St. Lawrence County of Northern New York, the deer population has increased to numbers which pose problems for humans.

List 2 problems which these residents suffer due to the great increase in numbers in the deer population.

Problems:1. The increase of car accidents in nearby roadways due to the presence of more

deer.

2. Some diseases can be transmitted from deer to humans through parasites: i.e. ticks


6. List at least two harmful effects of ozone depletion on humans

•More UV rays reach the Earth, increasing incidence of sunburn

•Increased incidence of skin cancers and/or cataracts •Decreased humans’ resistance to disease


List two harmful effects building a shopping mall in a forested area near a village may have on the environment.

• Loss of biodiversity• Disruption of food chains• Deforestation and destruction of the habitats• Increase of pollution in the area


List and briefly explain (a sentence or two for each factor) two factors leading to the exponential explosion in human population growth during the past 200 years.

•The agricultural revolution has increased the food production.

•The industrial revolution improved methods of transporting for goods and food

•Advances in medicine, sanitation, and nutrition decreased the death rates.


Using one or more complete sentences, describe the change that occurred in the habitat of the Edith's Checkerspot butterfly as a result of human activity.

Human activity:A weed species was unknowingly introduced into nearby fields by cattle ranchers

Change in the habitat of the Edith’s Checkerspot:The butterfly changed its custromary diet and reproductive site from a native plant to the invading weed

Documents

Do Now: Select one of the following ecological problems. ECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS: (a) Acid rain (b) Increased amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous in a lake