Environmental Chap. 1 Sect. 1Understanding Our Environment

Warm-up exercises: 1. Choose a partner 2. Think of 2 different ecosystems and

write them down 3. Name the abiotic (non-living) and the

biotic (living) parts of your ecosystems 4. Think of 2 ways that humans might

impact your ecosystems and write them down

Collect Assignments 1. Signed pledge forms

2. Signed lab contracts

DE State Standards GLE - Science Standard 1   Collect accurate and precise data through the

selection and use of tools and technologies appropriate to the investigations. Display and organize data through the use of tables, diagrams, graphs, and other organizers that allow analysis and comparison with known information and allow for replication of results.

DE State Standards 1.1.3. Understand that: Theories in science are well-established

explanations of natural phenomena that are supported by many confirmed observations and verified hypotheses. The application of theories allows people to make reasonable predictions. Theories may be amended to become more complete with the introduction of new evidence.

  Be able to: Collect accurate and precise data through the selection

and use of tools and technologies appropriate to the investigations. Display and organize data through the use of tables, diagrams, graphs, and other organizers that allow analysis and comparison with known information and allow for replication of results

DE State Standards Standard 8: Ecology  Strand 3: Human Impact   Enduring Understanding: Humans can alter the living

and non-living factors within an ecosystem, thereby creating changes to the overall system.

  Essential Question: How do humans have an impact on

the diversity and stability of ecosystems?

DE State Standards 8.3.1. Exponential growth of the global human population and the

resulting increase in consumption places severe stress on finite resources. 

8.3.2. Human decisions concerning the use of resources can affect the stability and biodiversity of the ecosystems and the natural recycling processes which maintain the quality of air, water, and land. 

8.3.3. Human activities have a major effect on other species. For example, increased land use reduces habitat available to other species, pollution changes the chemical composition of air, soil, and water, and introduction of non-native species disrupts the ecological balance.

DE State Standards 8.3.5. People manage the Earth and its

resources by preservation, conservation, appropriate utilization, and restoration. The complexity and interaction of these ecosystems requires individual and collaborative efforts on a local, regional, national, and international scale.

Section Objectives Define environmental science and compare to ecology List 5 major fields of study that contribute to

environmental science Describe the major environmental effects of hunter-

gatherers, the agricultural revolution, and the Industrial Revolution.

Distinguish between renewable and non-renewable resources

Classify environmental problems into 3 major categories

Key Terms Environmental science Ecology Agriculture Natural resource Pollution Biodiversity

Definitions Science: observing, studying and

experimenting to find the nature of things.

Environment: everything around us. It includes: natural things, as well as things produced by humans. Ex.: city of Wilmington, Ashland Nature

Center, your back yard.

Applied – Pure Science Pure sciences – chemistry, biology, physics

Applied sciences – examples Environmental science –( chemistry, biology, etc.) Engineering – (physics, chemistry, math) Medicine – (biology, chemistry) Can you think of any other professions?

3 Main Areas of Focus in Env. Science

1. Conservation and Protection of natural resources

2. Environmental education and communication

3. Environmental research

Extinction of North American Megafauna

What do you think brought about the extinction of the species below over 15,000 years ago? Mammoths Camels Giant ground sloths Beavers – as large as a black bear Saber-toothed cats Maned lions ?

Extinct N. American Mammals

SOME THEORIES OF EXTINCTION

1. Over kill by early humans – over hunting

2. Rapid sift in climate on earth – End of the Ice Age

3. Diseases such as influenza and rabies we brought over by early humans

Probably a combination of all of the above!

Experimental Study Keene High school – New Hampshire Ashuelot River study of dwarf wedge

mussel dwindling population. Students took water samples and

conducted population studies at different areas of the river

Possible Causes Sewage discharges into river Fertilizer runoff from golf course

Algae growth – oxygen starvation – called “artificial eutrophication”

• Upstream dam disrupting reproductive cycles

(more later in case study)

Definitions Environmental Science: the study of how

humans interact with the environment. “MISCONCEPTION ALERT” –

environmental issues usually thought to be associated with an endangered species disappearing – can also be an overabundance of a species –disruption of food chain

Definition INVASIVE SPECIES – a non-native

species of plant, animal or other organism introduced into an ecosystem.

Ex.: Zebra mussels in Great Lakes Introduced in 1989 from the ballast of an ocean going ship Has spread through 23 states and 2 Canadian provinces Causes 50-100 million dollars in damage each year by

blocking intakes and outflows of power plants and water treatment plants

Other Invasive Species Snake-head fish – from Asia – MD, DE Fire ants Killer bees Hydrilla & kudza vines – brought in to help

prevent erosion on highways Mitten crab – from Asia – in Chesapeake Bay Website: www.delawareinvasives.org

Delaware Invasive Species of Plants Japanese honeysuckle, Lonicera japonica  Oriental bittersweet, Celasrus orbiculatus Japanese stilt grass, Microstegium vimineum Japanese barberry, Berberis thunbergii Periwinkle, Vinca minor Garlic mustard, Alliaria petiolata Winged euonymus, Euonymus alata Porcelain berry, Ampelopsis brevipedunculata Bradford pear, Pyrus calleryana Marsh dewflower, Murdannia keisak Lesser celandine, Ranunculus ficaria Purple loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria Reed canarygrass, Phalaris arundinacea Amur honeysuckle, Lonicera maackii Tartarian honeysuckle, Lonicera tatarica Tree of heaven, Ailanthus altissima

Japanese knotweed, Fallopia japonica Autumn olive, Elaeagnus umbellata Norway maple, Acer platanoides Common reed, Phragmites australis Hydrilla, Hydrilla verticillata Morrow's honeysuckle, Lonicera morrowii Mile-a-minute weed, Polygonum perfoliatum

Yam-leaved clematis, Clematis terniflora Privet, several species European sweetflag, Acorus calamus Wineberry, Rubus phoenicolasius  

Delaware Invasive Species of Insects Red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Asian long horned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis European wood wasp, Sirex noctilio Pine shoot beetle, Tomicus piniperda Gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar Sudden oak death, Phytophthora ramorum Potato cyst nematode, Globodera pallida Exotic woodborers and bark beetles

OTHER DELAWARE INVASIVE SPECIES

FLATHEAD CATFISH ZEBRA MUSSEL

MITTEN CRAB NUTRIANORTHERN SNAKEHEAD

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

WITH A PARTNER

List some of the most significant environmental problems in the world today. – List 5 things

GLOBAL ENV. ISSUES

Global warming/climatic change Ozone depletion Habitat destruction Over population Destruction of rain forest Acid rain Ocean Acidification Sea Level Rise

Local Environmental Issues

WITH A PARTNER List some local (state or region)

environmental problems.

Local Environmental Issues Acid rain – SO2 emissions-Delmarva, Valero Water pollution – industry, ships, farms, jet

skis, parking lots, etc. (petroleum products, benzene, fertilizers)

Habitat loss – housing boom – Middletown, etc.

Air pollution – cars, factories, power plants, airplanes, etc.

Sea level rise – Sussex County

Recent Local Pollution Incidents

Sulfuric acid cloud – Glasgow – 5 yrs. ago Nitric acid cloud Claymont – 4 years ago Sulfuric acid spill – Motiva – Delaware City –8 yrs.

ago BTME gas additive – 70% of all gas stations leaked

into ground TiO2 factory Edgemoor –DuPont - #1 producer of

dioxins in U.S. – carcinogen SiO2 emissions – Millsboro – Delmarva power plant -

#3 worst in U.S. – HAS SINCE BEEN CONVERTED TO NATURAL GAS!!!

Goals of Environmental Science

Main Goal: to understand and solve environmental problems

Types of Interaction Between Humans & the Environment

2 main Types: How we use natural resources –

(water, air, trees, land, petroleum)

How human actions alter our environment

Interrelations of Environmental Science and other sciences

Ecology: the study of how living things interact with their non-living environment. Ex. – Ecologist – studies how bees pollinate

flowers Environmental Scientist : studies how the

behavior of bees is influenced by human activities – What caused the depletion of this species in 2008? Einstein said: “When the bees disappear so goes humans.”

Other Sciences Interacting with Environmental Science

Can you name some other sciences that contribute to Environmental Science?

Other Sciences in Env. Science Chemistry – understand the nature of

pollutants and reactants Geology – helps us model how pollutants

travel underground – permeability, porosity Botany & Zoology – identify and preserve

species Paleontology – understand how earth’s climate

has changes from the past – “the key to the future lies in the past”

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ANCIENT CITY OF TROY?

READ ECOFACT on top of page 8 How did the ancient city of Troy’s economy

collapse over 3000 years ago? (A case of an environmental problem

becoming an economic issue) Can you think of any modern day country

that is experiencing the same fate as Troy? Who played the part of Achilles in the movie

Troy?

Assignment – CP ENV ONLY Work with a partner 1. Answer the questions on page 15, 1 – 6 2. Quiz each other with the questions

until the answers are understood by both

10 Minutes!!!

Page 15, questions 1 - 6

EXIT TICKET – Chap 1, Mid-Section 1. What is the difference between

Environmental Science and Ecology? 2. What is the difference between an

applied science and a pure science? Give 2 examples of an applied science and 2 examples of pure science.

3. Why are invasive species bad for an ecosystem?

Our Environment Through Time Wherever humans have hunted, grown

food, or settled, they have changed the environment. Ex.: New York City – used to be area

where native Americans hunted game and gathered food.

Hunter-Gatherers Definition: people who obtain food by

collecting plants and by hunting wild animals or scavenging their remains They traveled to where the food was at

different times of the year – native Americans followed buffalo

THE LAST OF THE HUNTER-GATHERERS

How did hunter-gatherers effect their environment?

Burned prairies to prevent trees from growing to keep grazing areas open for buffalo.

Helped to spread different plants to different areas by dropping seeds

Hunter-gatherer Env. Effects-con’t In early N. America, hunter-gatherers killed

many large mammals, helping in the extinction of many species such as: giant sloth, mastodons, cave bears and saber-toothed tigers.

They drove large herds into pits for slaughter, the fossil record shows

Climate also changed

Agricultural Revolution Definition:

Agriculture: the practice of growing, breeding, and caring for plants and animals that are used for food, clothing, housing, transportation and other purposes.

Started over 10,000 years ago It made a dramatic impact on human societies,

that’s why it is called the Agricultural Revolution Can you name some positive effects from the Ag

Revolution?

THE AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION AND CIVILIZATION

Ag Revolution Positive Effects An area of land could support up to 500

times as many people by farming than hunting and gathering.

It allowed human population to grow. Food changed from it’s wild ancestors to

domesticated plants over many generations

Field Activity Growing popcorn

Small, clear cups Paper towels Unpopped popcorn kernels Water Sunlight Observe similarities of corn sprouts to

blades of grass (early ancestors of corn)

Ag Revolution- Neg. Effects

Can you name some negative effects of the Agricultural Revolution?

Ag Revolution Negative Effects As populations grew, people lived in smaller

areas, placing higher pressure on local environments

Many grasslands, wetlands, and forests were destroyed to make way for farmland, much like what is happening today in the South American rain forests.

Slash & burn – a “double whammy”- CO2

using trees cut down and burned, putting CO2

into air.

Ag Revolution Neg. Effects-con’t Much land became infertile due to over

use – planting the same crops every year took same nutrients from soil.

Salts in soil built up. Crop rotation later solved this problem

Effects of Slash & Burn Soil loss Floods Water shortages Build-up of greenhouse gases Loss of habitats

Skill Builder Exercise According the World Wildlife Fund – rain

forests are being cleared at a rate of 26 hectares per minute. (1 hectare = 2.47 acres) Calculate the number of hectares (ha)

cleared in: An hour A day A year Convert to acres for yearly total ( put in your Eco-Log)

Skill Builder Calculations 26 ha per minute X 60 min. per hour = 1560

ha/hour 1560 ha per hour X 24 hrs = 37,440 ha/day 37,440 ha/day X 365 days/yr = 13,665,600 ha/yr 1 hectare = 2.47 acres 13,665,600 ha X 2.47 = 33,754,032 acres/yr =

52,763 sq. mi. State of New York = 54,475 sq. miles

Industrial Revolution Occurred in mid 1700’s A shift from energy sources like animal muscle

and running water (water wheels) to fossil fuels (coal & oil)

Changes society by increasing efficiency of agriculture, industry, and transportation

Can you name some positive effects of the Industrial Revolution?

THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

Industrial Rev. Positive Effects Tractors made farming more efficient –

cheaper food Fewer people had to grow their own food –

populations in cities grew Fossil fuels –(trains, trucks, cars) – allowed

food and other goods to be transported long distances cheaply

Industrial Rev. Positive Effects Improved Quality of Life:

Light bulbs Electricity Sanitation Medical care Nutrition

Can you name some negative effects of the Industrial Revolution?

Industrial Rev. Negative Effects Overpopulation – Ghettos Loss of habitats – trees Pollution – air, water, land 1900’s – plastics, pesticides, fertilizers

Good in one way Brought environmental issues with them Name positives and negatives of these products

Skill Builder Exercise List the positive and negative effects of the

Industrial Revolution Use these lists to write a brief essay( 1 page)

expressing your personal view on whether the positives outweigh the negatives of the Industrial Revolution Due Tuesday, 9/10/13 Maximum 50 points

Spaceship Earth Earth is a “closed system”

The only thing that enters the earth’s atmosphere is energy from the sun (radiant energy)

The only thing that leaves the earth is large amounts of reflected heat (infrared)

Only exception is water from comets

Problems with a Closed System Resources limited – worse as population

grows – China Waste produced faster then we can

dispose of it – (Wilm. landfill)

Levels of Environmental Problems Local: landfill space, protection of habitats, over

development Regional: acid rain, water pollution, beach erosion,

deforestation Global: ozone depletion, run away greenhouse effect

(global warming/climatic change) GLOBAL ATMOSPHERE: what we do in our region

effects the whole world

Earth as a Living Organism Discussion: page 12

1960’s- NASA scientist James Lovelock designed tests to search for life on Mars

Earth atmosphere 78 % Nitrogen, 21 % Oxygen\ Mars atmosphere 95% Carbon Dioxide, traces of

oxygen and other gases Developed the Gaia hypothesis – states that the

Earth is a living organism What do you think?

Case Study – Lake Washington Page 12 What was the problem? How did they solve it? Answer questions page 13

Population Growth Increased population growth has an enormous

impact on the environment: Reasons for population growth(population

quadrupled in the 20th century): Industrial/Agricultural Revolutions Improved medicines- prolonged lives- (turn of

century, 19th/20th, pneumonia was leading cause of death

Increased sanitation

Population Milestones 1804 – world population hit 1 billion 1960 – world population hit 3 billion –

2 billion increase in 156 years

October 12, 1999 – world population hit 6 billion – 3 billion increase in 39 years

UN estimate: 9 billion by 2050 Fertility rate: 2.1 children/women

Problems of Increased Population Increased environmental problems feeding

vast population: Clearing forests – farmland/livestock Soil erosion – loss of roots to stabilize soil Pesticide pollution Fertilizers – eutrophication

Scientist predict population to double in 21st century- increased pressure on environment and resources ( 12 billion people?)

Categories of Environmental Problems

Resource depletion

Pollution

Loss of Biodiversity

Resource Depletion Definitions: Resource: a natural material used by humans Depleted: when a large fraction of a resource is used

up Deforestation: In an area where trees are being

destroyed faster than they can grow back Renewable resource: can be replenished relatively

quickly by natural processes. Ex.: fresh water, air, soil, tress, crops

Non-renewable resource: a resource that replenishes at a much slower rate than it is being consumed Ex.: minerals, fossil fuels

Quick Lab Choose 5 items in the classroom List the components that make up that

item Classify the ingredients of your items as

renewable or non renewable resources

Pollution Pollution: An undesired change in air, water or soil

that adversely affects the health, survival, or activities of humans or other organisms

2 Types: Biodegradable: can be broken down by natural processes-

(human sewage, newspapers) Non-biodegradable: pollutants that cannot be broken down

by natural processes- (mercury, lead, plastic) Can build up to dangerous levels in environment-(mercury

in tuna, benzene in Red Lion Creek)

Loss of Biodiversity Biodiversity: the number and variety of

species that live in an area Hundreds of millions of species have inhabited

the earth- only a small fraction alive today – others are extinct

Mass extinctions – large scale End of Permian Period (250 million yrs ago)- as

much as 95% of all species became extinct Some say we are living the greatest mass

extinction the earth has ever experienced Extinctions disrupt eco-systems

Assignment

• Read pages 16 – 21 – (sect 2)• Page 21, questions 1 – 5