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)