ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

1. Natural Disasters

A disaster that is caused by a natural force

Examples: Forest Fires, Floods, Avalanches, and Volcanoes

A. Forest Fires Can start naturally when there is a lightning strike

or humans can start fires with their carelessness with camp fires, cigarettes or other small fires

Harmful Impact Forest fires impact all the organisms living in the

forest by taking away homes, killing organisms and polluting water sources

After a forest fire, rain will carry more soil, ash and soot into rivers and streams. The streams will fill up with fine matter in a process called siltation.

Benefits Trees and other plants in the forest are essential

to the ecosystem. They hold soil in place which prevents erosion. The plants balance the Earth’s atmosphere by keeping the oxygen and carbon dioxide in balance through photosynthesis

Small fires clean out the underbrush in a forest which helps encourage new growth.

Humans set small controlled fires to clean out the underbrush so if a forest fire starts there will not be as much material that will enable a fire to become out of control.

B. Floods The overflow of water that covers land that is

usually dry. The ground becomes saturated and can no longer absorb any more water

They are usually predictable. Not only are terrestrial organisms impacted by

the floods, but also aquatic organisms. Many organisms lose their homes and food sources, but some organisms get stranded out of their habitat such as trout or smaller aquatic organism.

Floods

Harmful Water loosens soil and rock causing erosion

and this can lead to landslides or mudslides.

Benefits Flood waters carry nutrient rich soil to other

ecosystems. Humans often use dams to flood ecosystems

or to control the flooding of ecosystems.

C. Avalanches

The sudden movement of snow or ice down the side of a mountain.

Harmful Any organism in the path of an

avalanche can be suffocated and die. It destroys homes and food sources

Avalanches erode the land making deep gorges in the landscape.

Avalanches

Benefits Avalanches bring down fresh water from

the top of a mountain. Often there are lakes or streams at the bottom of a mountain that are formed from avalanches

Human will purposely trigger an avalanche to minimize the impact it will have on an ecosystem if the snow is allowed to build up.

D. Volcanoes When one tectonic plate is subducted under

another volcanoes are created. Lava is released as well as ash exploding

into the air. All organisms in the ecosystem are affected

not only if they are in the path of the lava or their food source is destroyed by the lava, but also because the ash is released into the air, pollutes the water and settles over the entire ecosystem.

VolcanoHarmful impact They pump greenhouse gases into the air and can

cause the temperature of the entire Earth to drop. The ash pollutes the water causing siltation. The lava erodes the land as it carves a path

through the ecosystem.

Benefit On the other hand, the lava will eventually cool

and create new rock and soil. Humans try to control the flow of lava to minimize

the impact to the ecosystem.

2. Deforestation The cutting down and clearing away of trees and

forests

Harmful Impacts forest organisms such as owls and oak

trees. The trees are killed and hauled away to be used for human needs. Owls homes are lost as well as homes for their food sources.

Loss of trees decreases the world ecosystem by decreasing amount of oxygen produced and carbon dioxide being recycled.

DeforestationHarmful Logging is one of the major contributors of

deforestation. Logging is the business of cutting down trees for manufacturing products

Slash and burn is the practice used to clear land for farming.

When trees are cut down, erosion becomes a problem. Trees and plants roots hold soil in place, without the roots soil will be eroded by both wind and water.

Water sources are polluted by the gasoline and exhaust from machinery used to cut down the trees.

Soil is washed into water causing siltation.

Deforestation

Solutions Rules and Regulations about the

amount of trees that can be cut down. Restoration of Environment by

replanting trees after cutting them down. Rotation of sections of forest that are cut down.

Recycling paper leads to the need for less trees being cut down.

3. Global Warming

An apparent gradual rise in the temperature of the earth’s atmosphere caused by the greenhouse effect.

The greenhouse effect is the warming of the atmosphere around the earth caused by gases such as carbon dioxide that collect in the atmosphere and prevent the sun’s heat from escaping.

Global WarmingHarmful Causes glaciers to melt sending large quantities of

fresh water into the ocean which leads to desalinization of the ocean.

As the glaciers melt, they start to move carving huge valleys through the landscape causing massive erosion.

The ice caps are shrinking leading to organisms such as the polar bears and penguins losing their habitats and food sources.

Global WarmingSolutions Use alternative fuel sources so less carbon

monoxide is pumped into the air as well as sulfur dioxide.

Recycle so that there will be less loss of natural resources such as trees that help clean our air.

Plant trees Conserve Energy

4. Depletion of Natural Resources

Natural Resources are materials found in nature that human use such as forests, water, minerals and fossil fuels.

Problem- Humans are using Earth’s Natural Resources faster than they can be replaced.

Harmful Deforestation Water Pollution Pollution due to use of Fossil Fuels Strip Mining

Depletion of Natural ResourcesFossil Fuels- coal, oil or natural gas formed from the remains of prehistoric plants and animals.

Humans are using fossil fuels faster than they can be replaced.

Fossil fuels contribute to global warming and pollution.

Strip Mining- is the destruction of the landscape in order to dig out minerals such as coal for human use. Ex: Tennessee

Plants are ripped from the ground and organisms lose their habitats.

Depletion of Natural Resources

Solutions Use alternative fuel sources so less carbon

monoxide is pumped into the air as well as sulfur dioxide.

Recycle so that there will be less loss of natural resources such as trees that help clean our air.

Plant trees Conserve Water Conserve Energy

5. Pollution

When harmful materials that damage or contaminate the air, water and soil are released into the environment.

Such as: chemicals, gasoline exhaust and industrial waste

Organisms from around the world are impacted.

Pollution

Pollution- (Pol-lu-tion) the introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment: air pollution, water pollution, land pollution.

AIR

The summary: Air is what we breathe. Simple, right? Pretty much. And, if we put bad things in the air, we breath it in. Animals breathe it in.

Caused by:

-Factory chemicals disposed into the air

-Burning Gasoline

-Carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, Sulfur oxides, Hydro carbons

-Nuclear processes

Chernobyl• The Chernobyl incident in 1986 was because of a bad reactor design

that was operated with badly trained workers. 28 people along with two workers died of nuclear poisoning. This probably killed many plants and animals and caused the rest to migrate out of the area into other places, therefore causing them to confuse the food chain in that area. Like squirrels. Squirrels need good air to breath, and if they see their families die, then they’ll move somewhere else, where there is already squirrels. So, the squirrel population will grow, and eat all the nuts.

Correcting Air pollution

Air filtering systems are used everywhere. And factories are regulated to the amount of bad chemicals they can release in a day, but some things aren’t resolved and should be. Gasoline ran cars should be replaced with electric, hydro, or air powered vehicles, or carpooling with friends to an event.

WATER

The summary: Water is very important to every living thing. So, if we pollute all our water, we will die. Again, simple things.

Caused by:

-Throwing things into the water

-Oil spills

-Disposal of waste.

-Disposal of chemicals.

-Putting chemicals down the wrong drain.

Camelford The water incident happened in Camelford, Cornwall, England on a

hot July day in 1988. A temporary driver for South West Water accidently dumped 20 tons of aluminum sulfate into the wrong tank at the treatment plant. This made the water bad to drink. Residents complained about the water causing skin irritations and strange taste. Some even complained about their hair turning blue. This probably killed many pets that drank the water also. Like for one example, cats. Cats might catch mice, and if they die the mice population will grow. Mostly only living things that got water out of the tap got sick.

Correcting Water pollutionWater filtering systems are usually put on

faucets so if water gets polluted we don’t have to hassle. But, if we don’t put strange liquids down the wrong drain, the things wont happen as often. Also, if big companies are not sure how dumping what they need to get rid of into oceans, they should consult a scientist on how to safely dispose the product.

LAND

Land is what we walk upon. Land connects with both air and water. If we litter, the litter can go into the water. If we drop something, it can release bad fumes that go into the air. Landfills should not exist, because they will just keep getting bigger and bigger.

Caused by:-Littering-Throwing things into the trash-Not recycling-Not picking up after ones self

Correcting Land Pollution

RECYCLE. That’s the answer to most of the land pollution. If we keep setting things aside, it will build up over time. Look at this bottle. Throw it away? Look at this

6. Construction Construction occurs when humans build a structure

or a road.

Harmful Construction reduces or eliminates vegetation,

destroying organisms and their habitats. (Deforestation)

Waste made during construction leaches back into the ecosystem through the soil and water.

Soil is moved during construction which leads to erosion by wind and water.

Water is polluted by construction materials and exhaust from machinery used in construction

Construction Road kill occurs because even though the ecosystem has

been altered by construction, animals still follow migrator patterns. Ex: Deer, possum, etc..

Solutions Laws and Regulations about how and where construction

can occur. Proper designs and planning Minor alterations to get rid of unneeded structures could

be significant. Avoid construction on wetland and endangered species

habitats. Disturb as little vegetation around the construction sight

as possible. Control erosion and sediment during and after

construction.

7. Farming The growing of crops and raising of animals for food

Problem- Humans impact the environment through the clearing of land and the using of chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers.

Harmful Clearing of land leads to erosion (ex: Dust Bowl) Overgrazing of animals leads to erosion. Plants

roots hold soil in place. Water pollution- fertilizers seep into the water and

cause over growth of algae. When the algae uses all the oxygen in the water, killing aquatic life such as fish like minnow.

Farming

We put

waste,

fertilizers and pesticides

in fields

The pollution gets into ground

water and streams

Cows

drink

the wate

r and get

sick.

We eat the

cows and the

waste and

toxins goes into us

Farming

Pesticides- kill insects on crops, but can leach into the ground and cause groundwater contamination. (leads to boil water orders for humans)

Solutions Crop rotation- gives soil a chance to rest No-till farming reduces erosion Plant cover crops- fast growing plants with many

shallow roots Strip cropping- planting two crops in same fields

to prevent erosion

Farming Windbreaks- planting trees and

shrubs along the side of a field to prevent wind from blowing soil away

Contour planting- planting crops that follow the shape of the land instead of straight rows.

Rotating animals in different fields before overgrazing can occur.

Use of organic fertilizers and pesticides to limit impact of water and organisms in ecosystem.

Contour planting

Improper planting leads to erosion

8. Dams A barrier built across a stream or river to

hold back water Humans have been building dams for

centuries

Harmful Fish – not able to cross the barrier Upstream fish – not able to spawn –

population will decrease Towns and forests destroyed and flooded Sediment and silt being blocked holds back

nutrients – reduces land fertility

Dams Loss of forests lead to erosion Disrupts movement of water – less

oxygen for aquatic life in the river Dams prevent the flow of plants and nutrients

to primary consumers and beyond Slower water flow increases the water

temperature Stretches below the dam are usually

completely de-watered, changing the ecosystem

Border vegetation – changes in what will grow

Solutions to building Dams Reform dams to more closely resemble the natural

habitat Carefully remove dams through proper removal

techniques to restore the original habitat and restore the original water flow

Problems with removing Dams Very costly Floods towns and new habitats that have formed

since the dam was built Very difficult to completely restore to original

conditions The toxic sediment has been built up behind the wall

of the dams which would damage downstream water quality

9. Channelization of Rivers The modification of a natural river

channel; may include deepening, widening, or straightening. Including the use of Dams

Purposes: to reduce flooding and to reroute water to urban areas, improving drainage, and maintenance of navigation.

ChannelizationHarmful A loss of wetlands. The channelization

makes the rivers become straight.When it is straight it makes the water flow more rapid.

Can cause flooding downstream from the channelized area.

A channelized river

The natural path of a river

Channelization

Ecosystems such as Mono Lake become dry salty deserts

Organisms must find new water sources animals can’t swim down the river

because the dam blocks their way out. Dams disturb the algae, the fish that eat

algae, and salmon or other fish that eat fish.

10. Coastal Stabilization

Shore erosion control practices using hardened structures that armor and stabilize the shoreline landward of the structure from further erosion.

Examples:Bulkheads, concrete sea walls, rip-rap, jetties, groins, breakwaters, stone reinforcement

Coastal StabilizationBenefits Helps control loss of land due to wave erosion The coastline retains its shape Reduces flooding

Harmful Animals like the sea turtle cannot get over the

structure to lay their eggs Animals get crushed or trapped in the structure

11. Reintroduction of Species the deliberate release of animals from

captivity into the wild. It usually involves species that are endangered or extinct in the wild. In some cases, reintroduction involves a species that had been wiped out in a particular ecosystem, but survived elsewhere in the wild.

Humans attempt to undo the harm we have done to an ecosystem

Reintroduction of Species

Benefits Helps to balance ecosystem Organisms won’t go extinct

Harmful Could unbalance ecosystem Interferes with human activities

Examples: Wolves being reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park. (started in 1881)

wolves needed to balance Elk population. Elk population out of control, eating all saplings reducing aspen tree population

Farmers upset that wolves will invade farms and kill livestock