Human Impact

Resources in ecosystems
Part of the natural environment used by
humans for their benefit
Renewable Resources
a natural resource that is replaced or
recycled by natural processes
Ex: Water, trees
Nonrenewable Resources
a natural resource that is available only in
limited quantities and is not recycled or
replaced by natural processes
Ex: fossil fuels
 Human Impact on the Environment
Human population growth has led to most
environmental problems.
Loss of resources, destruction of habitats, deforestation for
agriculture
Atmospheric Pollutants: Carbon Dioxide
Carbon Dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels.
Carbon Dioxide is a major greenhouse gas. Production of these
gases create a blanket that holds in heat = Global Warming.
Emissions also mix with water to form acid rain damaging terrestrial
and aquatic ecosystems by lowering pH.
How the Greenhouse Effect
Works
 Atmospheric pollutants and
Ozone Depletion
1. Ozone in the outer atmosphere absorbs harmful UV
radiation from the sun.
2. Ozone is destroyed by CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons)
from coolants, aerosols
3. Ozone at ground level is a poisonous pollutant
Atmospheric Pollutants and
Acid Rain
 Pollution from Farming
Eutrophication-from excess fertilizer use, sets off a chain
reaction that kills fish

Biomagnification-from excess pesticide use. Also called:

bioaccumulation, bioamplification.
 Sustainable practice is the use of resources
for profit and production that also replenishes
the environment.
Practices include:

Farming: crop rotation, contour farming

Atmospheric Policy-Clean Air Act (1967)
CFC use outlawed in many countries
Population Control
Advances in technology and medicine
Hunting regulations for game populations
Resource management: limited use of non-
renewable resources, research into renewable