Interrelationships Of Humans With The Living And Non-living Environment
Examples of Exploitation
-African elephant and pacific walruses killed for tusks=ivory -Colombian parrots sold to homeowners for pets -Japanese plywood used all trees in rainforest -Sharks for fins for shark fin soup
Effects of exploitation
-Disrupt food web -loss of resources
Examples of poor land use and management
-Over cropping-uses to nutrients in soil by CONTINUOUSLY growing crops on same land -overgrazing:too too many livestock eat grass until roots are destroyed(desertification) -Failure to use cover crops:nutrients NOT recycled into soil(soil erosion) (For example:garlic and buckwheat, corn and alfalfa, oats and then clover)
Examples of importation of exotic organisms
-cane toad in Australia, snakeheads,gobies,emerald ash borer -Zebra mussels-moved from Europe on on ships(accident) -clog clog water intake pipes -filter phytoplankton-disrupt food webs GYPSY MOTH-from Europe (accidentally) -eat/strip leaves on oaks, aspens, that disrupt food web -some natural insect enemies PURPLE LOOSE STRIFE-from Europe for ornamental -crowds out native plants in moist areas/streams -can be controlled by leaf beetles
Effects of deforestation
-decreased food production=starvation -soil erosion -disrupts natural habitat and threatens species -decreased nutrients in soil -less trees=less photosynthesis=less O2=more CO2 turns to global warming
Deforestation
Cutting down LARGE areas of trees for farming, building materials
Desertification
Happens when overgrazing happens(occurs)=too many livestock eat grass until roots are destroyed
Over hunting
Killing too many animals by over hunting, trapping,fishing Effects: threatened species-polar bears, hippo, manta rays Extinct species: dodo birds, US passenger pigeon LIST ONLINE: www.epa.gov
Global warming
Less trees =less photosynthesis=less O2=more CO2
Poor land use and management
Not taking care of land
Soil erosion
Nutrients not recycled into soil caused by FAILURE to use cover crops
Effects of Importation of exotic organisms
Out compete native species and Disrupt food web -can eliminate entire populations
Harmful Human Activities
Over hunting Importation of exotic organisms Exploitation Poor land use and management
Importation of exotic organisms
Species moved intentionally or accidentally from their natural habitat to another area by man(called alien or invasive or non-native species They are VERY successful because they : 1.) usually have NO natural predators 2.)are good competitors 3.)are good reproduces
Exploitation
Using plants or animals(or their parts) WITHOUT neccisity(this is NOT hunting for food)