Human Impact On The Biosphere`

Human Impact The human population is increasing at a rapid rate

This can cause other species to go extinct Other species are disappearing 1000X faster than

they ever have Humans deplete resources

Habitat Loss 1970’s-1980’s Amazonian

rain forests were cleared to create farmland. Land became worthless

because rain forest soil has little use

Clearing land erased habitats

Coral Reefs-Disease and changes in water temperature can kill coral

Habitat Degradation Habitat degradation is damage to a habitat

by pollution Acid Precipitation Ozone Depletion Water Pollution Land Pollution

As human population increases we must destroy ecosystems to build homes, buildings, factories, etc. Damages biodiversity

Hunting Unregulated hunting can lead to extinction

American Buffalo were nearly hunted to extinction in the 1800’s

Due to newly passed laws they have not been hunted and have now grown to almost 200,000

Poaching-Illegal hunting

Habitat Fragmentation Separation of wilderness areas from other wilderness

areas Effects:

Increased extinction Disruption of ecological processes Biodiversity is decreased

Endangered Species in NC 1 out of every 5 species in North Carolina is

either threatened or endangered Habitat Loss- People begin to build on

undeveloped areas which kills habitats

Endangered Species in NCReptiles-Loggerhead Sea TurtleMammals-North Carolina Flying

Squirrel Insects-Spruce-Fir Moss SpiderBirds-Red-Cockaded Woodpecker

Human Needs It is important to preserve

biodiversity but human needs can’t be ignored In developed countries

protecting biodiversity often comes into conflict with people’s jobs

Delicate balance between economy and the environment