Global IssuesGlobal Issues3.7-3.103.7-3.10

Ecological ProblemsEcological Problems

Problem: Biodiversity CrisisProblem: Biodiversity Crisis

More species are going extinct now than in More species are going extinct now than in the past 100 thousand yearsthe past 100 thousand years

Problem: Habitat DestructionProblem: Habitat Destruction

Habitat Destruction is the greatest threat Habitat Destruction is the greatest threat to biodiversityto biodiversity

Problem: Invasive speciesProblem: Invasive species

Invasive species are moved by humans Invasive species are moved by humans and thrive at the expense of other and thrive at the expense of other organismsorganisms

Problem: OverexploitationProblem: Overexploitation

Harvesting of wild Harvesting of wild organisms at a organisms at a rate greater than rate greater than the population can the population can replenishreplenish

Problem: BiocidesProblem: Biocides

Example: DDT Example: DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichl(dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane)oroethane)

Human Action:Human Action:– DDT kills insectsDDT kills insects

Environmental Environmental Consequence:Consequence:– Higher trophic levels Higher trophic levels

began dyingbegan dying– (especially birds)(especially birds)

Problem: Nutrient EnrichmentProblem: Nutrient EnrichmentHuman Action:Human Action:– Fertilizers are added on Fertilizers are added on

farmlandsfarmlands

Environmental Environmental Consequence:Consequence:– Eutrophication:Eutrophication:

Excess Nitrogen and Excess Nitrogen and Phosphorus pollutes HPhosphorus pollutes H22OO

Aquatic organisms dieAquatic organisms dieFlorida coastline

Problem: Greenhouse EffectProblem: Greenhouse EffectHuman Action:Human Action:– Combustion of fossil fuels produces COCombustion of fossil fuels produces CO22

Environmental Consequences:Environmental Consequences:– COCO22 in atmosphere increases in atmosphere increases– solar radiation is trapped by COsolar radiation is trapped by CO22

Problem: Global Climate ChangeProblem: Global Climate Change

Global temperatures are increasing Global temperatures are increasing

Polar ice caps are meltingPolar ice caps are melting

Sea levels will rise 1-13m Sea levels will rise 1-13m

After that who knows?After that who knows?

Ecological SolutionsEcological Solutions

Better DecisionsBetter Decisions

Reduce, Reuse, RecycleReduce, Reuse, Recycle

Alternative fuelsAlternative fuels

““Green” habitsGreen” habits

Ecosystem servicesEcosystem services

Ecosystem provides $33 trillion/yearEcosystem provides $33 trillion/year– Purification of air and waterPurification of air and water– Reduction of severity of natural disastersReduction of severity of natural disasters– Generation of fertile soilsGeneration of fertile soils– Detoxification of wasteDetoxification of waste– Pollination of cropsPollination of crops

ConservationConservation

Research needs of organismResearch needs of organism

Nature Reserves for biodiversity hot spotsNature Reserves for biodiversity hot spots

RestorationRestoration

Research the needs Research the needs of the organismof the organism

Rebuild suitable Rebuild suitable ecosystemecosystem– HabitatHabitat– Reintroduce Reintroduce

PredatorsPredators