Human Impact on Ecosystems

Observe the forest floor...why isn't anything growing?

• The soil is poor in nutrients

• The sunlight can't reach the forest floor

• Grasses don't grow in the forest due to lack of water

How does deforestation caused by humans affect local ecosystems?

• Humans will have more wood to build with

• Animals have more stumps to sit on after deforestation

• Animals lose their homes and habitats

• Deforestation by humans are actually good for ecosystems as they clear space for animals

What is NOT an example of pollution given to you by the narrator?

• Air pollution from burning chemicals

• Noise pollution from human activity that can disrupt animal behavior

• Water pollution from factories, which can poison animals

• Land pollution, nutrients are stripped away from the ground

What is an invasive species?

• Species introduced by humans into a habitat that takes a niche of an existing organism

• Species that typically invade the home of other animals

• Species that are aggressive towards other animals that are not of the same species

• Species that are quick to evade humans and escape human capture

Which is an example of an invasive species?

• An bird trying to catch up to its flock to migrate for the winter

• A rattlesnake introduced to the north Texas region that only exists in South Texas

• A herd of cattle roaming

Overfishing is a positive or negative impact to the environment?

• Positive

• Negative

Observe the polar bear.   A polar bear has a thick layer of fat to keep it warm in its ecosystem...an icy, cold environment.  If the ice began to melt and the climate got warmer, how would future populations adapt?

• Bear would get more layers of fat and hibernate more often.

• Bear would be able to run faster

• Bear fur would get darker and the fat under its coat would begin getting thinner

What are some of the ways humans impact the environment/ecosystems? Choose ALL of the correct answers.

• Humans overconsume animals, such as fish, and disrupt the ecosystem

• Humans emit greenhouse gasses into the environment, causing global warming

• Humans bring species to new places that invade the ecosystem of other animals

• Humans do not impact the environment in a meaningful way.