measures of the health of the environment

Measurements of the State of the Environment

1 Erosion2 Salinity3 Land Clearing4 Over Irrigation5 Pests6 Introduced marine species

7 Loss of river flow8 Soil Acidity9 Vegetation loss10 Greenhouse gas emissions11Habitat modification12Biodiversity

Water cycle (worksheet)

ErosionSoil erosion is a natural process. Human interaction has in many cases speed up the process of erosion.

What have we done to speed up the process?

Clearing vegetation

introduced species (rabbit, cow, buffalo )

Increased water sheeting

Examples:Beach

Creek erosion Dust storm

Land slips

Soil erosion removes the topsoil. The removal of the topsoil removes nutrients from the location, which are essential for plant growth and animal nutrition.

The soil also clogs up the rivers and creeks, which affects the river wild life and causing lowland flooding.

Possible solutions to erosion:

Solutions Eradicate feral animals Plant more vegetation Improve drainage Monitor sensitive farming areas Restrict people from access altogether Restrict actives during sensitive times

(winter)

Salinity

Mostly caused by irrigation and tree clearing. Over irrigation causes water tables to rise, causing water logging and root rot. In dry areas salt is brought to the surface with the rising of the watertable which in turn kills off the plants that cannot tolerate the salty conditions.

Solutions?

Solutions Plant Salt tolerant trees to soak up water Pump away ground water Restrict Land clearing Change farming practices - Crop rotations

Land clearing

Soltuions Wild life corridors Replant trees Improve drainage

Over irrigation

Solutions Government Regulations to control water

usage

Pest ControlPest are animals or plants that interfere with human land use.

Can native animals be pest?

Solutions?

Solution Kill (shoot, trap, poison) Cull Relocated Pull out

Introduced Marine SpeciesMany marine species are accidentally introduced. They have arrived in the ballast water of ships. Ships enter ports often only carrying water in their hulls for stability in the water. They then discharge this water (only with many foreign species) into the harbors when loading up with other materials

Solutions?

Introduced marine species

Northern pacific sea starAsian green mussel

New Zealand half crab Japanese Kelp

Solutions Treatment of ballast water before discharge

How can this be done?

Loss of River flow

Hydroelectricity, irrigation and town water supplies have dramatically altered river flows.

E.g. Snowy river (hydroelectricity)

West Barwon dam (town water)

Murray river (irrigation)

Solutions?

SolutionsRelease more water to original water flow.

Remove dams/wiers

Soil acidity

Is caused by too much fertilizer on crops, legume crops and wet land drainage

Solutions?

Solutions Crop rotation Lime / Gypsum (costly) Monitoring fertilizer application

Vegetation Loss

Carbon sinks – air quality, trees absorb the carbon from, the atmosphere

Affects habitats for birds animals and insects.

Water quality and quantity, increases erosion

From grazing, housing, logging, mining, crops

Solutions?

Greenhouse Gas Emissions (worksheet)

Greenhouse effect: global warming caused by the release ‘greenhouse gases’ that act as a thermal blanket trapping heat. Gases include Carbon dioxide, methane, and CFC’s. All occur naturally but have risen dramatically since the industrial revolution.

Solutions

Habitat Modification

Entire ecosystems can be affected by the introduction of a species or changes to the environment. EG Carp, the damming of rivers or Urban sprawl

Solutions?

Australia        Over the past 200 years Australia has:        Cleared the forested areas in half        Introduced hard-hooved animals        Over grazed most areas        Raised water tables by over irrigation and deforestation• Increased soil erosion