AP Biology ch. 56

Global & LocalIssues

Biological Diversity

~2 million species identified on Earth~8 million species to find~1 billion extinct speciesEX: Mycena luxaeterna (eternal light

mushroom)

Levels of Biodiversity

Genetic Diversity (humans ~1%)

Species Diversity (9,000 birds)

Ecosystem Diversity (US wetlands (marshes, fens, rivers…)

Humans depend upon Nature

Ecosystem provides $33 trillion/year Purification of air and water Reduction of severity of natural disasters Generation of fertile soils Detoxification of waste Pollination of crops

Big Problem: Biodiversity Crisis

Gene pools, species, and ecosystems are disappearing at a faster rate than at any time in the past 100 thousand years

Human population is causing 6th mass extinction

Human Population History

Humans are connected to Nature

Ecological Problems

1. Habitat Destruction

Occurs when humans destroy native habitats!Solution: restore and conserve natural areas

2. Overharvesting

Occurs when wild organisms are harvested at a rate greater than the population can replenish

Solution: practice sustainability

3. Invasive species

Occurs when species are moved by humans and thrive at the expense of other organisms

Solution: Plant native species

4. Pollution

Occurs when contaminants enter the environment

Solution: EPA guidelines

4b. Ozone Depletion

Occurs when chlorofluorocarbons break the chemical bonds of ozone

Solution: Global ban of CFC’s

5. Global Climate Change

CO2 & global temperatures are increasingPolar ice caps are meltinghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaKqhRTqSlg

Sea levels are risinghttp://geology.com/sea-level-rise/

Solution: alternative energy

5b. Ocean Acidification

Excess CO2 is dissolved into the Ocean lowering pH

Overview of Human Impact

Humans use ecosystem services to liveThe human population rose exponentiallyHumans have altered natural biogeochemical

cyclesHumans must protect these biogeochemical

cycles upon which our survival is dependent