Human Impact

How we impact the world around us!

Modern Manhattan on right; virtual recreation of 1609 Mannahatta on left. Image © Markley Boyer / Mannahatta Project / Wildlife Conservation Society

Earth has Finite Resources

• This means Earth only has so much of a resource, like coal or aluminum.

• Overuse of the resources can put stress on natural processes

Natural Resources

• any material or organism in the biosphere that can be used

• Ex: trees, wind, iron, oxygen

Resources• Nonrenewable-

natural resource available in limited amounts or replaced extremely slowly by natural processes

• Renewable- natural resource replaced by natural processes more quickly than it is consumed

Sustainable Use

• when resources are used at the same rate they are replaced

Biodegradable

• material that can break down easily and quickly

• Think Compost Pile!

How Natural Ecosystems Affect Humans

• Maintenance of quality of atmosphere• Generation of soils• Control of water cycle• Removal of wastes• Energy flow• Recycling of nutrients• If humans change these processes it could result in

a very negative impact

Human Activities have an Impact

• Alter equilibrium in an ecosystem through:– Population growth– Consumption– Technology– Pollution– Destruction of habitats

Deforestation

- Cutting down of forest habitats Settlers cut and burn a section of rainforest in the Petén region of Guatemala to clear the land.

Land Usage

• Decreases space and resources for other species

Pollution

• Changes chemical composition of air, soil, and water

• Example: – acid rain- rain with

acidic pH due to carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, or nitrogen oxides

Global Warming

• Caused by excess of carbon dioxide in the air due to factories, cars, etc.

• Changes habitat climates

Adding/Removing Organisms

• Decrease biodiversity

• Introduced species - could take over an area because of no natural predators (disturbs ecosystem)

Loss of BiodiversityOverexploitation- the over use of a species

Endangered species- a species on the verge of extinctionPilot whale hunt, Faeroe Island.

Industrialization

• Increased demand for energy and other resources including fossil and nuclear fuels

• Can have positive or negative effect on humans and ecosystems

We need to address these problems before they get out of

hand!

How do we Help the Problem?

• Conservation Laws

• Recycle, reduce, reuse

• Assess risk, costs, benefits and trade-offs for new technologies

• Vote

Remember:

• The decisions of one generation both provide and limit the range of possibilities open to the next generation!!!

• Write 3 things you can do to help save the environment:

1)

2)

3)