GREEN GENERATIONS GREEN GENERATIONS (B&C)(B&C)

KAREN LANCOURKAREN LANCOURNational Bio Rules Committee National Bio Rules Committee

ChairmanChairmankarenlancour@charter.net

TRAINING MATERIALS TRAINING MATERIALS • Training Power Point Training Power Point – content overview– content overview• Training Handout Training Handout – content information – content information • Sample Tournament Sample Tournament – sample problems with key – sample problems with key • Event Supervisor Guide Event Supervisor Guide – prep tips, setup needs, – prep tips, setup needs,

and scoring tipsand scoring tips• Internet Resources & Training Materials Internet Resources & Training Materials – on the – on the

Science Olympiad website at Science Olympiad website at www.soinc.org under under Event InformationEvent Information

• A Biology-Earth Science CD, an Green Generations A Biology-Earth Science CD, an Green Generations CD, CD, as well as the as well as the Division B and Division C Test Division B and Division C Test PacketsPackets are available from SO store atare available from SO store at www.soinc.org

EVENT COMPONENTS EVENT COMPONENTS

• Green Generations Content – 2015Green Generations Content – 2015Part 1 – Part 1 – General Ecological Principles (1/3)General Ecological Principles (1/3)Part 2 – Part 2 – Ecological Issues (1/3)Ecological Issues (1/3)Part 3 – Part 3 – Solutions (1/3)Solutions (1/3)• Process skillsProcess skills in data, graph and diagram analysis • Event parameters – Event parameters – check the event parameters in

the rules for resources allowed.

Part 1: Review of the General Part 1: Review of the General Principles of Ecology Principles of Ecology

• A. General Principles of Ecology General Principles of Ecology - food webs and trophic pyramids, nutrient cycling, community interactions, population dynamics, species diversity and indicator species with life history strategies (age structure, survival curves, life tables, succession, R and K strategies for division C only

• B. Overview of Aquatic Environments Overview of Aquatic Environments – freshwater, estuaries, marine (year 1)

• C. Overview of Terrestrial Environments Overview of Terrestrial Environments – forests, grasslands, deserts (year 2)

Part 2: Problems from Human Part 2: Problems from Human Impact on Environment Impact on Environment

A. Aquatic Environment Issues A. Aquatic Environment Issues ––Water pollution, Ocean Dead Zones, Water Diversion, Overfishing (year 1)

B. Air Quality Issues – B. Air Quality Issues – Acid rain, Air Pollution, Nuclear Pollution (year 1)

C. Climate Change Issues – C. Climate Change Issues – Greenhouse Effect, Ozone Depletion (year 1)

D. Terrestrial Environment Issues – D. Terrestrial Environment Issues – Desertification, Deforestation, Soil pollution, Waste Disposal, Mining (year 2)

E. Population Growth Issues – E. Population Growth Issues – Habitat Destruction, Farming Practices, Fertilizers & Pesticides (year 2)

Part 3: Solutions to Reversing Part 3: Solutions to Reversing /Reducing Harmful Effects/Reducing Harmful Effects

A. Environmental Remediation StrategiesA. Environmental Remediation StrategiesB. Sustainability StrategiesB. Sustainability StrategiesC. Nonrenewable vs. Renewable Energy Sources C. Nonrenewable vs. Renewable Energy Sources

and Alternate Energy Sources and Alternate Energy Sources D. Everyday Solutions as recycling and composting D. Everyday Solutions as recycling and composting E. Legislation and Economic Opportunity for E. Legislation and Economic Opportunity for

Solving Problems (Div. C) Solving Problems (Div. C)

Part I: Review of General EcologyPart I: Review of General Ecology

ECOLOGYECOLOGY – how organisms interact with one another and with their environment

ENVIRONMENTENVIRONMENT – living and non-living components • ABIOTICABIOTIC – non-living component or physical factors – non-living component or physical factors

as soil, rainfall, sunlight, temperaturesas soil, rainfall, sunlight, temperatures• BIOTICBIOTIC – living component are other organisms – living component are other organisms.

ECOLOGICAL ORGANIZATIONECOLOGICAL ORGANIZATION

• INDIVIDUALINDIVIDUAL – individual organisms• POPULATIONPOPULATION – organisms of same species in

same area (biotic factors)• COMMUNITYCOMMUNITY – several populations in same

area (biotic factors) • ECOSYSTEMECOSYSTEM – community plus abiotic factors • BIOSPHEREBIOSPHERE – all ecosystems on earth

ECOLOGY OF INDIVIDUALSECOLOGY OF INDIVIDUALS

• Homeostasis Homeostasis – delicate balance– delicate balance • Components Components – Physiological Ecology Physiological Ecology – Temperature and Water BalanceTemperature and Water Balance– Light and Biological CyclesLight and Biological Cycles– Physiological Ecology and ConservationPhysiological Ecology and Conservation

ECOLOGY OF POPULATIONSECOLOGY OF POPULATIONS

• Properties of populationsProperties of populations• Patterns of distribution and densityPatterns of distribution and density• Intraspecific competitionIntraspecific competition• Population dynamicsPopulation dynamics• Growth and regulationGrowth and regulation• Altering population growthAltering population growth• Human impactHuman impact

Growth CurvesGrowth Curves

Survival CurvesSurvival Curves

SurvivorshipSurvivorship is the percentage of is the percentage of remaining survivors of a population remaining survivors of a population over time; usually shown over time; usually shown graphicallygraphically. . Type I survivorship curveType I survivorship curve: : most most individuals live out their life span individuals live out their life span and die of old age (e.g., humans). and die of old age (e.g., humans). Type II survivorship curveType II survivorship curve: : individuals die at a constant rate individuals die at a constant rate (e.g., birds, rodents, and (e.g., birds, rodents, and perennial perennial plants). plants). Type III survivorship curveType III survivorship curve: : most individuals die early in life most individuals die early in life (e.g., fishes, invertebrates, and (e.g., fishes, invertebrates, and plants). plants).

ECOLOGY OF COMMUNITIES ECOLOGY OF COMMUNITIES

• Closed vs. Open communitiesClosed vs. Open communities– Closed – Closed – sharp boundariessharp boundaries– Open – Open – Lack boundariesLack boundaries

• Species abundance and diversitySpecies abundance and diversity• Trophic Structure of CommunitiesTrophic Structure of Communities– Food chainsFood chains– Food webFood web– Trophic pyramidTrophic pyramid

INTERACTIONS AMONG SPECIESINTERACTIONS AMONG SPECIES

• InteractionsInteractions• Interspecific competitionInterspecific competition• PredationPredation• ExploitationExploitation• SymbiosisSymbiosis

Types of Species Interactions Types of Species Interactions

• NeutralNeutral – two species do not interact – two species do not interact • MutualismMutualism – both benefit – both benefit • CommensalismCommensalism – one benefits, other neutral – one benefits, other neutral • ParasitismParasitism – one benefits, one harmed – one benefits, one harmed

but not killed but not killed • PredationPredation – one benefits, other killed – one benefits, other killed

Predator - Prey RelationshipPredator - Prey Relationship

Food Chain Food Chain

• rose plantrose plant aphidsaphids beetlebeetle chameleonchameleon hawk hawk

• Producer• 1st order Consumer or Herbivore• 2nd order Consumer or 1st order Carnivore• 3rd order Consumer or 2nd order Carnivore• 4th order Consumer or 3rd order Carnivore• Decomposers – consume dead and decaying matter

Food WebFood Web

ECOLOGY OF ECOSYSTEMSECOLOGY OF ECOSYSTEMS

• Energy Flow Energy Flow – Energy Flow PyramidsEnergy Flow Pyramids– Bio-mass PyramidsBio-mass Pyramids

• Community Succession and StabilityCommunity Succession and Stability• Nutrient Recycling Nutrient Recycling – nutrient cycles – nutrient cycles

Energy vs NutrientEnergy vs Nutrient

• Nutrients – cyclic(Biogeochemical Cycles)

• Energy flow – one way

Ecologic Pyramids Ecologic Pyramids

Ecological pyramid - a graph representing trophic level numbers within an ecosystem. The primary producer level is at the base of the pyramid with the consumer levels above. Numbers pyramid - compares the number of individuals in each trophic level. Biomass pyramid - compares the total dry weight of the organisms in each trophic level. Energy pyramid - compares the total amount of energy available in each trophic level. This energy is usually measured in kilocalories.

Numbers Pyramid Numbers Pyramid

Biomass & Energy Flow PyramidsBiomass & Energy Flow Pyramids

Hydrologic (Water) CycleHydrologic (Water) Cycle

Phosphorus CyclePhosphorus Cycle

Nitrogen CycleNitrogen Cycle

Carbon Cycle Carbon Cycle

Part II – Environmental Problems

A. Aquatic Environment Issues – A. Aquatic Environment Issues – Water pollution, Ocean Water pollution, Ocean Dead Zones, Water Diversion, OverfishingDead Zones, Water Diversion, Overfishing (year 1) (year 1)

B. Air Quality Issues B. Air Quality Issues – Acid rain, Air Pollution, Nuclear – Acid rain, Air Pollution, Nuclear PollutionPollution (year 1) (year 1)

C. Climate Change Issues – C. Climate Change Issues – Greenhouse Effect, Ozone Greenhouse Effect, Ozone DepletionDepletion (year 1) (year 1)

D. Terrestrial Environment Issues D. Terrestrial Environment Issues – Desertification, – Desertification, Deforestation, Soil pollution, Waste Deforestation, Soil pollution, Waste Disposal, Mining Disposal, Mining (year 2)(year 2)

E. Population Growth Issues – E. Population Growth Issues – Habitat Destruction, Farming Habitat Destruction, Farming Practices, Fertilizers & PesticidesPractices, Fertilizers & Pesticides (year 2) (year 2)

Human PopulationHuman Population

PollutionPollution

• Harmful materials entering the environmentHarmful materials entering the environment• Point source pollution Point source pollution – from a clearly – from a clearly

identifiable source identifiable source • Nonpoint pollution Nonpoint pollution comes from many comes from many

different sources.different sources.• Four main categories Four main categories – industrial, residential, – industrial, residential,

commercial, and environmental commercial, and environmental

Sources of pollution Sources of pollution

• organic pollutionorganic pollution – decomposition of living – decomposition of living organisms and their bi-productsorganisms and their bi-products

• inorganic pollutioninorganic pollution – dissolved and suspended – dissolved and suspended solids as silt, salts, and minerals solids as silt, salts, and minerals

• toxic pollutiontoxic pollution – heavy medals and other chemical – heavy medals and other chemical compounds that are lethal to organisms compounds that are lethal to organisms

• thermal pollutionthermal pollution – waste heat from industrial and – waste heat from industrial and power generation processespower generation processes

• radiation pollutionradiation pollution - radioactive materials - radioactive materials

Environmental Pollution Environmental Pollution • Air PollutionAir Pollution• Water PollutionWater Pollution• Soil PollutionSoil Pollution• Noise PollutionNoise Pollution• Radioactive PollutionRadioactive Pollution• Thermal PollutionThermal Pollution• Light PollutionLight Pollution

Aquatic Environmental IssuesAquatic Environmental Issues(year 1)(year 1)

• Water pollutionWater pollution• EutrophicationEutrophication• Ocean Dead Zones Ocean Dead Zones • Thermal Pollution Thermal Pollution • Water DiversionWater Diversion• Overfishing Overfishing

Water PollutionWater Pollution

EutrophicationEutrophication

EutrophicationEutrophication – bodies of water becomes enriched with nutrients. This can be a – bodies of water becomes enriched with nutrients. This can be a problem in marine habitats such as lakes as it can cause algal blooms.problem in marine habitats such as lakes as it can cause algal blooms.

• run-off from fertilizers, into nearby water causing an increase in nutrient levels.run-off from fertilizers, into nearby water causing an increase in nutrient levels.• It causes phytoplankton to grow and reproduce more rapidly, resulting in It causes phytoplankton to grow and reproduce more rapidly, resulting in

algal blooms.algal blooms.• This bloom of algae disrupts normal ecosystem functioning and causes many This bloom of algae disrupts normal ecosystem functioning and causes many

problems.problems.• The algae may use up all the oxygen in the water, leaving none for other marine The algae may use up all the oxygen in the water, leaving none for other marine

life. This results in the death of many aquatic organisms such as fish, which life. This results in the death of many aquatic organisms such as fish, which need the oxygen in the water to live.need the oxygen in the water to live.

• The bloom of algae may also block sunlight from photosynthetic marine plants The bloom of algae may also block sunlight from photosynthetic marine plants under the water surface.under the water surface.

• Some algae even produce toxins that are harmful to higher forms of life. This can Some algae even produce toxins that are harmful to higher forms of life. This can cause problems along the food chain and affect any animal that feeds on them.cause problems along the food chain and affect any animal that feeds on them.

Ocean Dead Zones Ocean Dead Zones Eutrophication is magnified as rivers lead into larger rivers and eventually into the ocean – as the Mississippi River network. This leads to ocean dead zones.

Spills or Dumping in OceansSpills or Dumping in Oceans

Chemical spills and Chemical spills and dumping of waste in dumping of waste in the oceans or near the oceans or near coral reefs and coral reefs and ocean shelf areas ocean shelf areas causes major causes major environmental environmental problemsproblems. BP Oil Rig Explosion

2010

Thermal Pollution & Thermal Pollution & Rising Ocean Temperatures Rising Ocean Temperatures

• Change in the water Change in the water temperatures of lakes, temperatures of lakes, rivers, and oceans caused rivers, and oceans caused by made-man industries by made-man industries or practicesor practices

• Water as coolant is Water as coolant is warmed returned & to warmed returned & to body of waterbody of water

• Ocean warming from Ocean warming from climate changes climate changes

Coral Bleaching

Water DiversionWater DiversionDams are a major factor Dams are a major factor in in water diversion. Dams water diversion. Dams are built along rivers to are built along rivers to produce reservoirs.produce reservoirs.

This affects the ecology This affects the ecology of the river and the of the river and the surrounding surrounding environment including environment including Habitat Loss, Habitat Habitat Loss, Habitat Fragmentation, and Fragmentation, and Loss of Biodiversity Loss of Biodiversity

The Colorado River is a The Colorado River is a good example. good example.

OverfishingOverfishing

World Fish Catch

Fish catch has risen from 20 million tons/year to over 90 million tons / year

Air Quality Issues – Year 1Air Quality Issues – Year 1

•Acid rainAcid rain•Air Pollution Air Pollution •Nuclear PollutionNuclear Pollution

Acid Rain Acid Rain

Air Pollution Air Pollution

Nuclear PollutionNuclear Pollution

• Nuclear pollution is Nuclear pollution is pollution that is pollution that is radioactive. radioactive.

• Fallout can lead to Fallout can lead to radiation sickness and radiation sickness and death. death.

• Nuclear fallout can Nuclear fallout can destroy environmental destroy environmental features and animal life.features and animal life.

Fukushima Daiichi Disaster

Climate Change Issues Climate Change Issues

• Greenhouse Effect - Greenhouse Effect - warming that results when the atmosphere traps heat radiating from Earth toward space.

• Ozone Depletion Ozone Depletion - ozone layer is deteriorating due to the release of pollution containing the chemicals chlorine and bromine (chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs)

Greenhouse Effect Greenhouse Effect

Ozone Depletion Ozone Depletion

Ozone Hole over Antartica Ozone Hole over Antartica

Source: NASA

Terrestrial Issues- Year 2Terrestrial Issues- Year 2

• Desertification Desertification • Deforestation Deforestation • Soil pollution Soil pollution • Waste Disposal Waste Disposal • MiningMining

DesertificationDesertification

• DesertificationDesertification is an expansion of arid conditions into a non-arid environment.

• Major causes of desertification Major causes of desertification includeOvergrazing & poor grazing managementCultivation of marginal landsDestruction of vegetation in arid regionsIncorrect irrigation practices leading to salinization

DeforestationDeforestation

DeforestationDeforestation – the permanent destruction of indigenous forests and woodlands. CausesCauses include• Conversion of forests to agricultural land to feed people• Development of cash crops and cattle raising esp. in tropical countries • Commercial logging that is not regulated• Poor soils in humid tropics do not support agriculture for long so more clearing becomes necessary

Soil PollutionSoil PollutionWays that soil can become polluted, such as: Ways that soil can become polluted, such as: • Seepage from a landfill • Discharge of industrial waste into the soil • Percolation of contaminated water into the soil • Rupture of underground storage tanks • Excess application of pesticides, herbicides or fertilizer • Solid waste seepageMost common chemicals involved in causing soil pollution are: Most common chemicals involved in causing soil pollution are: • Petroleum hydrocarbons • Heavy metals • Pesticides • Solvents

Waste Disposal Waste Disposal

Waste, or rubbish, trash, junk, garbage is an unwanted or undesired material or substance.

 It may consist of the unwanted materials left over from a manufacturing process (industrial, commercial, mining or agricultural operations,) or from community and household activities.

The material may be discarded or accumulated, stored, or treated (physically, chemically, or biologically), prior to being discarded or recycled.

MiningMining - Environmental Risks- Environmental Risks

Population Growth Issues –Yr. Population Growth Issues –Yr. 2 2

• UrbanizationUrbanization• Habitat Destruction Habitat Destruction • Farming Practices Farming Practices • Fertilizers & PesticidesFertilizers & Pesticides

Human Population GrowthHuman Population Growth

UrbanizationUrbanization

Concerns:Concerns:

oPublic Health Public Health oFood SupplyFood SupplyoFreshwaterFreshwateroCoastlands and OceansCoastlands and OceansoForestsForestsoBiodiversity and Habitat DestructionBiodiversity and Habitat DestructionoGlobal Climate ChangeGlobal Climate Change

Habitat Habitat FragmentationFragmentation & Destruction & Destruction

Habitat destruction and fragmentation Habitat destruction and fragmentation is a process that describes the emergences of discontinuities (fragmentation) or the loss (destruction) of the environment inhabited by an organism.

It results in It results in 1.Loss of resident species2.Loss of food sources3.Loss of ecosystem functions provided by the habitat

Biodiversity Biodiversity Threats Threats • Habitat loss & Habitat loss &

FragmentationFragmentation• Invasive species Invasive species • PollutionPollution• Climate ChangeClimate Change• Over exploitationOver exploitation• Human Populations Human Populations

Farming Practices Farming Practices

Negative environmental impacts fromNegative environmental impacts fromunsustainable farming practices include:unsustainable farming practices include:

Land conversion & habitat lossWasteful water consumptionSoil erosion and degradationPollutionClimate changeGenetic erosion

Fertilizers and Pesticides Fertilizers and Pesticides

Part 3 – Solutions Part 3 – Solutions

A. Environmental Remediation StrategiesA. Environmental Remediation StrategiesB. Sustainability StrategiesB. Sustainability StrategiesC. Nonrenewable vs. Renewable Energy C. Nonrenewable vs. Renewable Energy

Sources and Alternate Energy Sources Sources and Alternate Energy Sources D. Everyday Solutions as recycling and D. Everyday Solutions as recycling and

composting composting E. Legislation and Economic Opportunity for E. Legislation and Economic Opportunity for

Solving ProblemsSolving Problems

Tragedy of the CommonsTragedy of the Commons

• Conflict between individual interest and the common good

• When individuals use a public good, they do not bear the entire cost of their actions

• Who takes responsibility for protecting the Who takes responsibility for protecting the environment? environment?

Environmental Remediation Environmental Remediation StrategiesStrategies

• Environmental remediation Environmental remediation is the removal of pollution or contaminants from the environment

• Strategies and techniques include (coordinated by EPA) Strategies and techniques include (coordinated by EPA) Site assessment and mapping Excavation and dredgingPump and treatSolidification and stabilizationOxidationSoil vapor extractionBioremediation – using microbes to remove pollutants

Sustainability Strategies Sustainability Strategies Sustainability Sustainability - biological systems enduring

and remaining diverse and productiveStrategies includeStrategies includeMinimize energy consumption & usingalternate energyMinimize water consumptionMinimize negative environmental impactsMinimize waste generation and recycling Develop eco-friendly products and processes

Strategies for a Sustainable World Strategies for a Sustainable World

• advancing technologies to reduce waste• increasing recycling and reuse• creating even safer treatment and disposal

options• developing sources of renewable energy• sharing the benefits of our learning and

innovation

Nonrenewable vs. Renewable Nonrenewable vs. Renewable Energy Sources Energy Sources

• Non-renewable energy sources Non-renewable energy sources – fossil fuels as coal, oil and natural gas as well as nuclear fuels – limited supply will run out and have negative environmental impacts

• Renewable energy sources Renewable energy sources – sun, wind, waves, heat, hydropower and biomass that can be used again and again and is cleanest energy sources.

• There are pros and cons for each type of energy

Alternate Energy Sources Alternate Energy Sources Alternate to Fossil Fuels Alternate to Fossil Fuels – produced and

recovered without negative effects on the environment as

• Solar• Wind power• Geothermal• Tides and waves• Biomass• Fuel cells

Everyday Solutions Everyday Solutions

• ConserveConserve• Increase EfficiencyIncrease Efficiency• RecycleRecycle

CompostingComposting

Benefits of Composting• Soil Conditioner – create rich humus • Recycles kitchen and yard waste• Introduces beneficial organisms in the soil• Good for the environment as a natural

alternative to chemical fertilizers• Reduces landfill waste

Economic Opportunity Economic Opportunity

• Support careers in Environmental Remediation

• Development of Environmentally Safe Products and Processes which are economically sound.

• Encourage Economic Growth that is environmentally beneficial

Legislation – Role of EPA- Legislation – Role of EPA- Div.C Div.C 1. Clean Air Act (CAA) 2. Clean Water Act (CWA) 3. Emergency Planning & Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA) 4. Endangered Species Act 5. Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) 6. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 7. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 8. Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 9. Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA) 10. Pollution Prevention Act (PPA) 11. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) 12. Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) 13. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA

or Superfund) 14. Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act 15. Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)