Name: ________________________________
Date_________________
Living Environment Unit 10 Human Impact Study Outline
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
Aim # 75: How do natural processes maintain ecosystems?
Aim # 76: How are natural resources cycled through the environment?
Aim # 77: How have humans negatively affect diversity in the environment?
Aim # 78: How has technology and industrialization negatively impacted the environment?
Aim # 79: How have air pollutants affected the atmosphere?
Aim # 80: How can technology be used to help the environment?
KNOW THAT HUMAN POPULATION IS INCREASING DRASTICALLY ….
WHICH IS NEGATIVELY IMPACTING THE ENVIRONMENT
Humans =
need for energy,
need for land,
negative impact on the environment
KNOW THE TYPES OF RESOURCES USED TO GENERATE ENERGY
Type of Resource
Non renewable
Renewable
Definition
Example
Positives
Negatives
Resources that
cannot be
replenished within a
lifetime. They exist
in limited (finite)
amounts
Fossil Fuels-Coal,
oil, and natural gas
- cheap
- easily found
- provides us
with energy
Resources that can be
Wind power, water
power, solar power,
geothermal power,
biofuels
-Renewable (will -Expensive
not run out)
replenished within a
lifetime.
-Less Pollution
- cannot be
replenished once
gone
- release CO2
which leads to
global warming
KNOW THE FOLLOWING Ecological Problems, Causes, Effects and Solutions
ECOLOGICAL
PROBLEM
CAUSE

Industrialization

Acid
Rain


Global
Warming


Depletion of the
Ozone Layer
Loss of Habitats
Loss of
Biodiversity
Invasive
(imported or
foreign)
Species



Development of
Factories, Cities, etc.
Burning fossil fuels
releases sulfur and
nitrogen into the air.
These gases + rain = acid
rain.
Increase of greenhouse
gases (MAINLY CO2
and methane) due to
burning fossil fuels
(which releases CO2)
Deforestation prevents
producers from naturally
removing CO2 from
atmosphere during
photosynthesis
CFCs
(Chlorofluorocarbons)
which are released by
aerosols, air conditioners,
refrigerator coolants
Deforestation
Industrialization
Farming



Habitat Loss
Overhunting
Overfishing

Humans moving around
the planet causes
organisms to be brought
to new habitats that lack
their natural predators
(ex: Purple loosestrife
plant, gypsy moth, zebra
mussels, Japanese beetle)
NEGATIVE EFFECT




•
•

SOLUTION
Increases use of resources,
human population, &
pollution
Acid rain, global warming
Habitat loss
Acidification of lakes and
soil
Damages wildlife/plants
Increases erosion on
buildings

Changes in
climate/weather which can
lead to loss of
habitats/species



Use cleaner
technologies/alternative
energy sources
Pass laws to regulate
development of factories
Buffers to neutralize lakes &
rivers
Use filters on smokestacks
Use alternative energy
sources to reduce the
burning of fossil fuels
Use alternative energy
sources (solar, wind,
hydroelectric)
Decrease burning fossil fuels
(reduce, reuse, recycle)
Plant trees
Decrease deforestation






More harmful UV rays
reach Earth’s surface =
increase in mutations and
skin cancer


Don’t use CFC’s/ban them
Use safer chemicals
•
•
Loss of biodiversity
Loss of potential resources
(ex: Medicine from the
rainforest)
Unstable ecosystems
Unstable ecosystems
Loss of genes/organisms
Loss of
medicines/resources


Pass laws to protect natural
areas (natural parks,
preserves etc.)
Control population growth


Regulate hunting
Pass laws to protect species
They have no natural
predators
Overcrowd and
outcompete native species.
•
Control/restrict importation
of goods
Set traps that use chemical
scents to attract insects
Control the population by
releasing biological controls
= releasing natural
diseases/predators if that
species
•
•
•
•


•
•
Station # 1
Human Impact Station Review
Station # 2
Some scientists are urging that immediate action be taken to stop activities that contribute to global warming. Discuss the effects of
global warming on the environment and describe some human activities that may contribute to it.
Your answer must include
: • an explanation of what is meant by the term global warming
• one human activity that is thought to be a major contributor to global warming and an explanation of how it may contribute to the
problem
• one negative effect of global warming if it continues for many years
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Human Impact Station Review
Station # 3
Human Impact Station Review
Station # 4