Human Impacts on the Environment

1. Human Impacts on the Environment Mrs. Harlin

2. 2.2.1 • Infer how human activities (including population growth, pollution, global warming, burning of fossil fuels, habitat destruction and introduction of nonnative species) may impact the environment.

3. Population Growth

7. Technology • Agricultural equipment is mass producing food. • Fertilizer allows great yield. • Pesticides prevent crop destruction. • Water filtration and heaters have cleaned up contaminated water. • Vaccinations are preventing people from getting disease.

9. Consumption of Resources • Habitat Destruction-> Loss of biodiversity • Waste dumping->Shortages of clean water • Burning fossil fuels-> Global Warming • Manufactured Chemicals->Ozone Destruction • Factories-> Acid Rain

10. N.C. Ecosystems • Urban development in the Piedmont has led to habitat destruction and water runoff

11. N.C. Ecosystems • Kudzu is an invasive plant • It is nonnative • Kudzu originally was introduced into the U.S. from Asia in the late 1800s for erosion control and as a livestock forage

12. Production of Waste • Law requires human waste to be treated; however animal waste is not treated. • More than 335 million tons of "dry matter" waste is produced annually on farms in the U.S. • During decomposition, manure emits harmful gases such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. Waste lagoons can leak or rupture, polluting the surrounding soil and water systems.

13. N.C. Ecosystems • Waste lagoons on hog farms • Hurricane Floyd in 1999 led to widespread water contamination.

14. Global Change • Carbon dioxide from fossil fuels is causing global warming. • Acid rain caused by sulfur dioxide emitted from factories is causing a loss plant life which will indirectly affect the entire food chain. • CFC’s (chlorofluorocarbons) are causing a hole in the ozone layer which is letting UV rays through.

15. Ozone hole above Antarctica

18. Ice Melting at the North Pole

19. N.C. Ecosystems • Beach erosion

22. N.C. Ecosystems Acid Rain