Human Impacts on the Environment and Climate Change - BIO 240 FINAL

Ecosystem Services

Benefits humans gain from ecosystems (e.g., pollination, water filtration, climate regulation)

Overextraction Effects

Resource depletion, habitat loss, pollution.

Bioaccumulation

Toxin buildup in an organism.

Biomagnification

Toxin concentration increases up the food chain.

Biomagnification example

Mercury in fish

Deforestation Effects

Increases CO₂ emissions, reduces water retention, depletes soil nutrients, and harms biodiversity.

Evidence of Human-Caused Climate Change

Rising CO₂ levels, global temperature increases, glacial retreat, sea level rise

Greenhouse Gases

Gases trap heat in the atmosphere (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O).

Renewable energy examples

Wind, solar (replenished naturally)

Nonrenewable energy examples

Coal, oil (finite and polluting)

Solutions to Environmental Impact

Renewable energy adoption

Reforestation and conservation

Sustainable agriculture and lifestyle changes