Impact on Land

Impact on Land

Middle School

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Learning Objectives

• Describe how population growth and resource use affect our land.

• Explain how deforestation, farming, and city growth impact the environment.

• Analyze the impacts of waste disposal and learn about solutions to manage it.

• Understand how science shows environmental impacts and society decides on the solutions.

Key Vocabulary

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Natural Resource

Any material from the Earth that humans use for their survival and to satisfy their daily needs.

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Per-Capita Consumption

The average amount of a specific resource that is used up by each individual in a population.

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Deforestation

The action of clearing a wide area of trees and forests for other human uses like agriculture.

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Desertification

The process through which fertile land loses its quality and becomes dry, barren, and desert-like over time.

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Urbanization

The process of developing land for the growth of cities as more people move to urban areas.

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Pollution

The presence of harmful substances or contaminants in the environment that can cause negative effects on ecosystems.

Key Vocabulary

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Hazardous Waste

Hazardous waste is any type of trash that contains substances harmful to people or the environment.

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Conservation

Conservation is the careful protection and preservation of something, especially natural resources like water and forests.

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Reforestation

Reforestation is the process of planting new trees in an area where they have been cut down.

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Reclamation

Reclamation is the process of restoring land that has been damaged, such as by mining operations.

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Engineered Solution

An engineered solution uses technology and science to design ways to reduce negative human impact on Earth.

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Population Growth and Resource Consumption

• As the human population grows, our use of natural resources also increases.

• Per-capita consumption measures the average resources used by each person.

• More people require more land for living spaces, farming, and grazing animals.

• We also use land for harvesting wood and mining for valuable resources.

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Multiple Choice

What is the primary effect of human population growth on natural resources?

• The use of natural resources increases.

• The use of natural resources decreases.

• Natural resources become more abundant.

• There is no effect on natural resources.

Multiple Choice

Why does a growing population lead to an increased need for land?

• To provide space for housing, farming, and mining.

• To create larger parks and natural reserves.

• Because each person begins to use less land.

• To reduce the consumption of wood and minerals.

Multiple Choice

If a city's population grows rapidly, and the per-capita consumption stays the same, what is the most likely outcome?

• The city will need to use more land, wood, and minerals from the surrounding area.

• The total amount of resources consumed by the population will decrease.

• The average amount of resources used by each person will decrease.

• The environment around the city will remain unchanged.

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Cause and Effect: People and the Planet

• We can understand our impact on Earth through cause and effect.

• Cause: An increase in human population and consumption of natural resources.

• Effect: This leads to major changes in the Earth’s systems.

• For example, clearing forests and more CO₂ in the air.

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Multiple Choice

What is the central concept described in the text?

• The relationship between human actions and changes to the Earth.

• The different types of natural resources available on the planet.

• How to count the number of people living on Earth.

• The specific chemical composition of Earth's atmosphere.

Multiple Choice

What is the primary cause that leads to major changes in Earth's systems?

• The natural warming and cooling cycles of the planet.

• A decrease in the amount of CO₂ in the air.

• An increase in human population and use of resources.

• The expansion of forest ecosystems across the globe.

Multiple Choice

If human population and consumption of resources continue to increase, what is a logical prediction based on the information provided?

• Levels of CO₂ in the air and the clearing of forests would likely increase.

• Earth's systems would quickly return to their original state.

• The amount of available natural resources would go up.

• There would be no significant impact on the planet's systems.

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Impact of Deforestation

• Deforestation is the cutting down of forests for human activities.

• This destroys animal habitats, putting many species at risk of extinction.

• Tropical rainforests are vital, holding about 50% of Earth's species.

• Fewer trees mean more carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere.

Multiple Choice

What is the definition of deforestation?

• The clearing of large areas of forests for human use.

• The process of planting new trees in a barren land.

• The creation of national parks to protect animals.

• The study of how animals interact with their environment.

Multiple Choice

How does deforestation lead to the extinction of animal species?

• It reduces the habitat available for them to live and find food.

• It causes the climate to become much colder.

• It increases the amount of food available for them.

• It makes it easier for them to hide from predators.

Multiple Choice

If large-scale deforestation continues in tropical rainforests, what is the most likely combination of outcomes?

• An increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide and a significant loss of species.

• A decrease in atmospheric carbon dioxide and an increase in animal habitats.

• An improvement in the global climate and an increase in species diversity.

• More land for farming without any major environmental effects.

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Impacts of Agriculture

• Pesticide runoff from farms can pollute rivers and groundwater, harming aquatic life.

• Removing plants for farms leads to soil erosion, which can cause desertification.

• Clearing large forests for grazing cattle leads to deforestation and land degradation.

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Multiple Choice

Which statement best summarizes the environmental impacts of the agricultural practices described?

• They can cause harmful changes to the natural environment.

• They help to increase the amount of clean groundwater.

• They generally lead to an increase in plant and animal life.

• They have very little effect on forests or rivers.

Multiple Choice

How can the use of pesticides on a farm affect nearby rivers?

• It helps plants grow, which prevents soil erosion.

• It can wash into rivers and groundwater, harming aquatic life.

• It purifies the water, making it safer for animals.

• It causes deforestation by clearing trees for farms.

Multiple Choice

If a large area of forest is cleared for cattle grazing, what is a likely long-term consequence for the land itself?

• The land may become degraded and less fertile due to soil erosion.

• The soil will become healthier and better for growing new forests.

• The local groundwater supplies will become cleaner.

• The risk of water pollution from pesticide runoff will be eliminated.

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What is the Impact of Urbanization?

• Urbanization is the development of land for houses and roads.

• Paved land prevents water absorption, which increases runoff and flooding risk.

• It also prevents the recharging of important underground water supplies.

• This leads to the permanent loss of habitats, farmland, and wetlands.

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Multiple Choice

Which statement best defines urbanization?

• The development of land for houses and roads.

• The preservation of forests and wetlands.

• The process of recharging underground water supplies.

• The creation of new farmland from paved areas.

Multiple Choice

How does creating paved surfaces during urbanization increase the risk of flooding?

• Paved land prevents water from soaking into the ground, which increases runoff.

• Paved land absorbs extra water from storms, which reduces runoff.

• Paved land helps recharge underground water supplies, preventing floods.

• Paved land creates more habitats for animals, which reduces flooding.

Multiple Choice

If a town replaces a large wetland area with a new housing development, what is a likely consequence for the local environment?

• There will be an increased risk of flooding and a loss of natural habitat.

• The underground water supply will increase because of the new buildings.

• The area will become better for farming because the land is cleared.

• The risk of flooding will decrease because the pavement will hold the water.

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Waste Disposal and Pollution

Landfills

• Most of the trash in the United States is buried in large areas called landfills.

• Because many materials do not decompose easily, these landfills can take up a lot of space.

• Finding new locations for landfills is becoming very difficult as they continue to fill up.

Pollution

• Hazardous waste contains harmful substances like chemicals from batteries and motor oil.

• These substances can leak from landfills and pollute the soil and underground water sources.

• Runoff from farms and mines can also carry pollutants that contaminate the surrounding environment.

Multiple Choice

What is a landfill?

• A large area where most trash is buried.

• A factory that recycles used materials.

• A facility that burns waste for energy.

• A container for storing hazardous chemicals.

Multiple Choice

What is the primary way that landfills can cause pollution?

• They take up a lot of space that could be used for parks.

• Harmful substances can leak out and contaminate soil and water.

• They are difficult to locate in populated areas.

• The trash in them does not decompose easily.

Multiple Choice

A community is considering building a new landfill near a large farm. What is the most likely environmental risk they would need to evaluate?

• The landfill will quickly run out of space for the farm's waste.

• The farm's runoff will prevent the landfill from decomposing.

• Chemicals from the landfill could pollute the farm's soil and water sources.

• The landfill will attract animals that eat the farm's crops.

Engineered Solutions and Conservation

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The Three R's

• We can reduce our consumption of various goods to lessen our impact.

• Reusing items like water bottles and bags helps protect the environment.

• Recycling materials like paper and plastic conserves our precious natural resources.

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Land Management

• Reforestation is the process of planting trees on land that was cleared.

• Reclamation helps to restore land that has been damaged by mining.

• No-till farming is a method used by farmers to prevent soil erosion.

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Creating Green Spaces

• City parks provide important homes and habitats for many wildlife species.

• Undeveloped areas in cities can help to preserve the natural environment.

• Green spaces also improve the quality of life for people living nearby.

Multiple Choice

What is the main goal of practices like the 'Three R's,' land management, and creating green spaces?

• To conserve natural resources and protect the environment

• To increase the speed of industrial production

• To make cities larger and more crowded

• To find new sources of underground fuel

Multiple Choice

How are land reclamation and no-till farming related?

• Both are methods used to protect and restore land from human impact.

• Both are primarily focused on reducing the consumption of goods.

• Both are ways of creating new habitats for wildlife within a city.

• Both are required before any new construction can begin.

Multiple Choice

If a growing city chooses to develop all of its open, undeveloped areas into buildings, what is the most likely outcome?

• The loss of natural habitats and a lower quality of life for residents.

• An increase in the amount of materials available for recycling.

• The restoration of land that was previously damaged by mining.

• A reduction in the amount of goods people in the area consume.

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Science Informs, Society Decides

Science Informs

• Scientific knowledge describes the consequences of our actions, based on evidence.

• For instance, science can show that pollutants from a factory are damaging a river's ecosystem.

• This provides factual information about the impact of the factory on the environment.

Society Decides

• However, science does not tell society what specific actions it should take.

• It is up to everyone to weigh the scientific evidence with economic and social factors.

• Citizens, governments, and businesses must decide together on the best solution for the community.

Multiple Choice

What is the primary role of science in the decision-making process described?

• To provide evidence-based information about the consequences of actions.

• To make the final decision for the community.

• To create new laws for businesses to follow.

• To choose which economic factors are most important.

Multiple Choice

Once science provides information about an issue, what is the role of society?

• Let the scientists make the final choice for everyone.

• Only consider the scientific facts and ignore all other information.

• Balance the scientific evidence with economic and social factors.

• Ask businesses to make the decision without community input.

Multiple Choice

A scientific study shows that a local factory's pollutants are harming a river. Based on the relationship between science and society, what must happen next?

• The scientists who conducted the study are responsible for closing the factory.

• The factory must be shut down immediately, regardless of any other factors.

• The community must weigh the environmental impact with economic and social needs to decide on a solution.

• The decision should be based only on the factory's economic importance.

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Common Misconceptions

Misconception	Correction
Recycling is the only thing that matters.	Reducing consumption and reusing items are even more effective at conserving resources.
Empty land has no value.	Undeveloped lands provide essential services, like filtering water and preventing floods.
Science tells us exactly what laws to make.	Science provides evidence, but society must decide on the course of action.
Landfills are a permanent, safe solution for trash.	Landfills can leak harmful liquids that pollute groundwater and consume land.

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Summary

• A growing human population uses more natural resources, impacting our planet.

• Human activities like farming and building cities can alter the land.

• Engineered solutions and conservation can help reduce these negative impacts.

• Science provides evidence, but society is responsible for taking action.

Poll

On a scale of 1-4, how confident are you about the concepts covered in today's review?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4