HUMAN IMPACT ON THE ECOSYSTEM

By: Ms. Zeron

Important Vocabulary:Vocabulary for this section is available on Quizlet at the following link:https://quizlet.com/_mwcrh

Goal: Students will be able to predicts the impact of individuals on environmental systems and examines how human lifestyles affect sustainability. (Benchmark/Standards SC.912.L.17.20)

Part 1: What do you know?Myth or Truth?

Which statement(s) are true/false?1. Anything natural is NOT pollution.2. The human race is indestructible as a

species.3. Technology can resolve all environmental

problems.4. If one can’t see it, then it doesn't affect

us. 5. Global warming does NOT exist.Answer….

All of these statements are common misconceptions!

Introduction:• All of the organisms, including humans

that live on Earth share natural resources and depend on them for their long term survival.

Why do we need to study how humans interact with the environment?•Human activities can change the local and global environments•To be able to protect our natural resources.

Examples of Natural Resources:• Minerals• Fossils• Plants• Animals• Soil• Clean water• Clean air• Solar Energy

How are natural resources classified?RENEWABLE NON-RENEWABLE

Resource replaced by natural processes more quickly than it can be consumed.

Resource available in limited amounts

OR replaced extremely slowly by natural processes.

Part 2: Sort these out…RENEWABLE

NONRENEWABLEALUMINUM

TREESOIL

WATER

ANIMALSCOAL

SOLAR ENERGYWIND

Example of human activities that affect the biosphere include:• Hunting and Gathering

Ex. Fishing• Agriculture

Ex. Crops • Urban Development

Ex. Building highways and towns

How can we use and still protect our resources?Answer: Sustainable Development.

It is a way of using natural resources without depleting them and without causing long term environmental harm.

What can happen if we do not use sustainable development?

1. Desertification2. Global Warming3. Decrease/Loss of biodiversity4. Deforestation5. Acid Rain6. Ozone Depletion

1. Desertification:• Development of desert-like conditions in

regions that have experienced human disturbance such as overgrazing, or poorly managed agriculture. 

2. Global Warming• The rise in the average

temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans since the late 19th century and its projected continuation.

• Caused by greenhouse gases (ex. Burning fossil fuels)

3. Decrease of Biodiversity• Decrease in the diversity of life caused by:- Loss of habitat- increase in human population- pollution- Introduction of foreign species

4. Deforestation • Clearance or clearing is the removal of a

forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a non-forest use

5. Acid Rain• It means any form of precipitation that

contains harmful substances such as nitrogen and sulfur oxides.

• Cars release of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides when they burn fossil fuels.

6. Ozone Depletion• Ozone layer is a natural shield found in the

atmosphere that has can be depleted by man-made chemicals.

Examples of Pollution:Air:Smokestacks, motor vehicles

Water :toxic waste, sewage

Soil:toxic waste, garbage

Effects• Human health hazards

asthma, cancer, poisoning

• Loss of specieseagles-DDT, fish in great lakes

• Loss of usable landLove Canal, Chernoble

Solutions• Laws against pollution

Clean Air and Water Acts

• Government oversightEPA – Environmental Protection Agency

• New technologiesPollution control devices, filters

• Cleaner fuelsWind, Solar, Nuclear?