HUMAN IMPACT

1.Biodiversity is the variety of life in an area that is determined by the number of different species in that area.

2.Biodiversity increases the stability of an ecosystem and contributes to the health of the biosphere.

Biodiversity and Conservation

3. Factors that Threaten Biodiversity

Humans are changing conditions on Earth faster than new traits can evolve to cope with the new conditions.

The current high rate of extinction is due to the activities of a single species—Homo sapiens.

Biodiversity and Conservation

4. Overexploitation

Bison Passenger pigeons Ocelot Rhinoceros

Rhinoceros

Overexploitation, or excessive use, of species that have economic value is a factor increasing the current rate of extinction.

Ocelot

Biodiversity and Conservation

5. Habitat Loss

If a habitat is destroyed or disrupted, the native species might have to relocate or they will die.

Destruction of HabitatThe destruction of habitat, such as the clearing of tropical rain forests, has a direct impact on global biodiversity.

Biodiversity and Conservation6. Pollution

Pollution and atmospheric changes threaten biodiversity and global stability.

Biological magnification is the increasing concentration of toxic substances in organisms as trophic levels increase in a food chain or food web.

Biodiversity and Conservation

7. Acid Precipitation (Rain)

Sulfur and nitrogen compounds react with water and other substances in the air to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid.

Acid precipitation removes calcium, potassium, and other nutrients from the soil, depriving plants of these nutrients.

Biodiversity and ConservationBiodiversity and Conservation

8. Eutrophication

Eutrophication occurs when substances rich in nitrogen and phosphorus flow into waterways, causing extensive algae growth.

The algae use up the oxygen supply during their rapid growth and after their deaths during the decaying process.

Other organisms in the water suffocate.

Biodiversity and Conservation

9. Introduced Species

Nonnative species that are either intentionally orunintentionall

y transported to

a new habitat are known as

introduced species. Introduced species often reproduce in large numbers because of a lack of predators, and become invasive species in their new habitat.

Biodiversity and Conservation

10. Overuse of Natural Resources

The consumption rate of natural resources is not evenly distributed.

11. Greenhouse Effect

-Water vapor, carbon dioxide and methane can be found throughout Earth’s atmosphere. These greenhouse gases act as a blanket that slows the release of energy and helps keep the Earth at a temperature that can support life.

-As humans we are producing more greenhouse gases (mostly carbon dioxide) increasing the greenhouse effect and leading to global warming.

-Global warming is believed to be contributing to many ecological disasterssuch as increased flooding, stronger tropical storms and ice cap melting. Eachof these are threats to global biodiversity.