human activites like Fossil fuel burning
Green house gasses
Deforestiration
Industrialization
Agriculture
these al are the major factor of climate change in 21th century
human activites like Fossil fuel burning
Green house gasses
Deforestiration
Industrialization
Agriculture
these al are the major factor of climate change in 21th century
IMPACT OF GLOBAL WARMING ON AQUATIC FLORA AND FAUNAMahendra Pal
A rise in temperature as small as 1° C could have important and rapid effects on the geographical distributions and mortality of some organisms. The more mobile species should be able to adjust their ranges over time, but less mobile and sedentary species may not.There are many factors that can cause a warming of our climate; for example, more energy from the sun, large natural events such as El Nino or an increased greenhouse effect. Rising temperatures can directly affect the metabolism, life cycle, and behaviour of marine species. For many species, temperature serves as a cue for reproduction. Clearly, changes in sea temperature could affect their successful breeding. The number of male and female offspring is determined by temperature for marine turtles, as well as some fish and copepods (tiny shrimp-like animals on which many other marine animals feed). Changing climate could therefore skew sex ratios and threaten population survival.
IMPACT OF GLOBAL WARMING ON AQUATIC FLORA AND FAUNAMahendra Pal
A rise in temperature as small as 1° C could have important and rapid effects on the geographical distributions and mortality of some organisms. The more mobile species should be able to adjust their ranges over time, but less mobile and sedentary species may not.There are many factors that can cause a warming of our climate; for example, more energy from the sun, large natural events such as El Nino or an increased greenhouse effect. Rising temperatures can directly affect the metabolism, life cycle, and behaviour of marine species. For many species, temperature serves as a cue for reproduction. Clearly, changes in sea temperature could affect their successful breeding. The number of male and female offspring is determined by temperature for marine turtles, as well as some fish and copepods (tiny shrimp-like animals on which many other marine animals feed). Changing climate could therefore skew sex ratios and threaten population survival.
Green House Gases
Greenhouse gases, including Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), are gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect. They allow the Sun's energy to reach Earth's surface but limit heat loss. Rising atmospheric concentrations of these gases could lead to higher temperatures and significant climate change. The next 50 years may see altered weather patterns, rising sea levels, and desert shifts. Human activity is dependent on climate, impacting food production, water supplies, construction, energy usage, transportation, and flood protection.
Causes
Greenhouse gases, which allow solar radiation to warm Earth during the day, contribute to its average temperature of 15 degrees Celsius. The increase in carbon dioxide concentration from 280 ppm (PPM means parts-per million and Percent means per hundred) in 1800 to 359 ppm in 1994 is attributed to increased use of fossil fuels, decreasing forest cover, and methane release from agricultural practices. If these levels continue to rise, global temperatures may reach 1 to 4 degrees Celsius higher by the mid21st century.Future Impact
Greenhouse warming is expected to cause severe stress on natural ecosystems, desert expansion, melting polar ice caps, ocean thermal expansion, more extreme weather events, and displacement of traditional agricultural areas. Rising sea levels are the most significant hazard, with glaciers melting and sea water expanding. This change will increase the frequency and severity of extreme events, affecting human health and living standards. The most vulnerable will experience the most severe impacts, necessitating concrete action to control pollution sources and mitigate potential impacts.
Environmental Awareness
Human activities, including urbanization, industrialization, and social structures, are posing ecological problems due to excessive use and misuse of natural resources. This imbalance affects energy budgets and climate change. To maintain ecological balance, mass awareness, afforestation, deforestation prevention, judicious resource use, pollution control, and environmentally respectful development is crucial, achieved through mass media, green marches, and environmental weeks.Salient Features of Environmental Awareness
Environmental education is crucial for controlling pollution, conserving resources, and maintaining ecological balance. NGOs play a vital role in educating people, particularly secondary school children. It covers various aspects of the environment, including atmosphere, earth, water, plants, animals, natural resource management, air, soil, and geological formations. It aims to create awareness, develop habits, promote values, and guide problem-solving and decision-making. It leads to positive attitudes and commitment of environment protection. It can be achieved by:
1. Gaining an understanding of the composition and operation of the inanimate natural system, as well as how it interacts with living things.
2. Realizing that all living things
Most of us live our lives seemingly apart from nature. We ma.docxmoirarandell
M
ost of us live our lives seemingly apart from nature. We make
our homes in cities and towns, surround ourselves with con-
crete and steel, and drown out the songs of birds with noise.
The closest many of us get to nature is a romp with the family dog
on the grass in the backyard. A lucky few come in much closer con-
tact with the great outdoors through hiking, camping, canoeing, and
kayaking. For many of these people, though, nature is still viewed
as something apart from humans—a thing to protect to preserve a few
pristine places for people to enjoy.
Humans and Nature: The Vital Connections
Hard as it may be for many people to accept, human beings are part of the fabric of
life. We are a part of nature. We are dependent on the Earth and natural systems in
thousands of ways and are an integral part of the cycles of nature. Consider our de-
4.1
Principles of Ecology:
How Ecosystems Work
Humans and Nature:
The Vital Connections
Ecology: The Study of
Natural Systems
The Structure of Natural
Systems
Ecosystem Function
Spotlight on Sustainable
Development 4-1:
Sustainable Sewage
Treatment: Mimicking
Nature
Spotlight on Sustainable
Development 4-2:
Colleges and Universities
Go Green
Point/Counterpoint:
Controversy over
Extinction
4.4
4.3
4.2
4.1
CHAPTER OUTLINE
CHAPTER 4
Never does nature say one thing, and wisdom another.
—Juvenal
50
CRITICAL THINKING
Exercise
The information gained from various fields of
science such as ecology is often loosely trans-
lated in the public arena. Terms are some-
times misinterpreted. Facts are taken out of
context. New findings are given more cre-
dence than they deserve, and old, disproved
ideas remain in the popular thinking for a
long time. As you read this chapter, make a
list of terms, ideas, concepts, and facts you
encounter that contradict what you thought
was true.
pendence first by taking a look around the room in which you
are sitting. Everything in that room comes from the Earth or
a natural system. The clothes you wear, your morning tea or
coffee, and even the cornflakes you ate for breakfast are
products of the Earth—the soil, water, air, and plants.
Like all other species, humans depend on the soil, air,
water, sun, and a host of living organisms to survive. Each
year, in fact, human beings (and other animals) consume
enormous quantities of oxygen, which is used in the cells of
our bodies to break down food molecules to generate en-
ergy. Oxygen is produced by plants and algae. Without these
organisms, humans and other animals could not survive.
Trees, grasses, and other plants also provide a host of addi-
tional free services. For example, plants protect the water-
sheds near our homes, preventing flooding and erosion.
Swamps purify the water in streams and lakes—water many
of us drink. Birds help to control insect populations.
Clearly, nature serves us well. Although many of us have
isolated ourselves from nature, we still depend on nature in
many ways. We have not emancipated ...
carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane production have a tremendous impact on climate change, microbes play a key role in the production and control of these gases
Learn about Sky Islands and the challenges trees and plants face at high elevations. Snow, wind, cold, aridity, UV light all impact treeline, as well as, provide opportunities for forests to grow in an otherwise desert landscape.
Why did the Earth go from a hot, humid planet with forests all the way up to the North Pole and then suddenly convert to a more modern cooler climate around 47 million years ago?
1. KEY CONCEPT The impact of a growing human population threatens biodiversity.
2. Preserving biodiversity is important to the future of the biosphere. The loss of biodiversity has long-term effects. loss of medical and technological advances. How? extinction of species loss of ecosystem stability
3. Loss of habitat eliminates species. Habitat fragmentation prevents an organism from accessing its entire home range. occurs when a barrier forms within the habitat often caused by human development. Like what?
8. Sustainable development manages resources for present and future generations. Thinking sustainably involves thinking in ______ not in a ______. Sustainable development meets needs without hurting future generations. resources meet current needs resources will still be available for future use
14. Protecting Earth’s resources helps protect our future. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created in 1970. The EPA develops policies and regulations to protect the environment. Legislation helps to protect the environment and endangered species. Clean Air Act Clean Water Act Endangered Species Act
18. What causes smog? A. the burning of particulates B. the formation of ozone C. acid rain D. the interaction of sunlight with pollutants produced by burning fossil fuels Correct Answer = D How is ground-level ozone formed? A. coal particulates combine with oxygen molecules in the air B. an oxygen atom is transferred from carbon dioxide to an oxygen molecule C. an oxygen molecule is transferred from nitrogen oxide to an oxygen atom D. an oxygen atom is transferred from nitrogen dioxide to an oxygen molecule
19. What causes smog? A. the burning of particulates B. the formation of ozone C. acid rain D. the interaction of sunlight with pollutants produced by burning fossil fuels Correct Answer = D How is ground-level ozone formed? A. coal particulates combine with oxygen molecules in the air B. an oxygen atom is transferred from carbon dioxide to an oxygen molecule C. an oxygen molecule is transferred from nitrogen oxide to an oxygen atom D. an oxygen atom is transferred from nitrogen dioxide to an oxygen molecule Correct Answer = D
20. What is global warming? A. the normal temperature fluctuations of Earth's climate cycle B. the melting of the polar ice caps C. the trend of increasing temperatures on Earth D. the changes in Earth's biosphere that affect the atmosphere Why are frogs considered an indicator species for water quality? A. They are easily killed by direct contact with pollutants. B. They are able to break down pollutants. C. They come into direct contact with pollutants and show readily observed effects like deformities. D. They develop diseases when they come in direct contact with pollutants.
21. What is global warming? A. the normal temperature fluctuations of Earth's climate cycle B. the melting of the polar ice caps C. the trend of increasing temperatures on Earth D. the changes in Earth's biosphere that affect the atmosphere Correct Answer = C Why are frogs considered an indicator species for water quality? A. They are easily killed by direct contact with pollutants. B. They are able to break down pollutants. C. They come into direct contact with pollutants and show readily observed effects like deformities. D. They develop diseases when they come in direct contact with pollutants. Correct Answer = C
22. Review Preserving biodiversity helps the species and helps humans Habitat corridors help preserve habitats Avoiding invasive species introduction protects biodiversity Sustainable development manages resources Protecting individual species assists entire environments The National Park system protects habitats for diverse species.