3.6: Human impact on the environment

Extinct

EX - An IUCN classification that means a species has completely died out.

Extinct in the wild

EW - An IUCN classification that means a species has completely died out except for in captivity.

Critically endangered

CR - An IUCN classification under endangered that means a species is extremely close to extiniction.

Endangered

EN - An IUCN classification under endangered that means a species has quite low numbers.

Vulnerable

VU - An IUCN classification under endangered that means a species is extremely close to becoming endangered.

Near threatened

NT - An IUCN classification that means a species is extremely close to becoming threatened.

Least concern

LC - An IUCN classification that means a species has been studied and deemed not at threat of becoming endangered.

Data deficient

DD - An IUCN classification that means a species does not have enough research to have a grade.

Not evaluated

NE - An IUCN classification that means there has been no research on this animal, therefore it cannot be graded.

International Union for the Conservation of Nature

IUCN - the organisation which grades animals based on their vulnerability for extinction.

Red data

Lists where ICUN’s grades of extinction are published.

Wetland drainage

The drainage of any wetland, which removes habitats and increases a species risk of extinction.

Hedgerow loss

The cutting down of hedges between fields, which removes habitats and increases a species risk of extinction. This especially effects insects, plants and birds.

Trophy hunting

When animals are killed exclusively to become decoration.

Bush meat

An industry which kills wild animals, such as primates, to be eaten.

Invasive

Non-native species which alter the biodiversity of an area, outcompeting the native species for food or over consuming native species.

Oil

Spilt in the ocean when ships crash. Contaminates water, blocks oxygenation of water below and sticks to those who touch it, such as birds.

PCBs

Polychlorinated biphenyls. Used as electrical lubricant until found to be carcinogenic, hormonal disruptors and neurotoxins.

Non-contigious

Populations that have been separated, lowering biodiversity.

Conservation

Sensible management of the biosphere to enhance biodiversity while maintaining human activity.

Biosphere

Areas of earth where life exists.

Special Areas of Conservation

What does SACs stand for?

Sites of Special Scientific Interest

What does SSSI stand for?

Gene banks

Store genes in protected areas, such as in breeding programmes, sperm banks and seed banks. Eventually, they are reintroduced to their natural environment.

Ecotourism

The practice of making tourism less harmful to the environment, via hiring and prioritising locals, educating tourists and manage local areas more effectively.

Monoculture

The growing of a single plant, providing only a single habitat. If done over years, depletes vitamins from the soil and causes disease amongst plants.

Overgrazing

Caused by cattles hooves compacting grasslands, leaving no airspaces for water to travel and preventing roots from penetrating the soil.

Soil erosion

When trees no longer bind soil together, topsoil can be swept away by heavy rain, preventing the growth of more trees.

Topsoil

Fertile soil.

Devaluation

Done to soil when it’s water cycle is interrupted due to deforestation preventing leaf litter absorbing heavy rainfall and gradually releasing it into soil. Water is directly evaporated from soil, which is slower, therefore taking up plant airspace - decreasing available oxygen and decreasing root activity and germination due to cold.

Slash and burn

A method of forest management where a small area of trees is cut and burned, the ashes are used are fertiliser and once the land becomes infertile plants are moved to a different area. Not sustainable on a large scale.

Coppicing

A method of forest management where a tree trunk is cut to a stool, where shoots are allowed to grow and are cut on rotation. The longer to rotation, the more sustainable.

Trawlers

Nets dragged along the ocean floor, which harm the sea bed and creatures which live on it.

Drift netting

Nets stretched across two boats and dragged across the surface of the sea, capturing some animals unintentionally, such as dolphins.

Exclusion zones

Areas which are not allowed to be fished during certain times of the year to allow the fish to repopulate.

Pod

Where fish farming can sometimes take place, allowing them to be moved based on abiotic conditions.

Planetary boundaries

Limits that allow for humanity to have a safe operating space.

Bioethanol

Made from crushing and digesting sugar and starch crops with carbohydrases, crystallising the sucrose to leave out molasses, fermenting with yeast to create mixture containing ethanol and burning with bagasse to distill pure ethanol.

Biodiesel

Made from fatty acids (normally vegetable oils) reacted with an alcohol (normally methanol). Produces more nitrous oxide than carbon dioxide.

Biogas

Created by digesting macromolecules from waste material, which triggers acetogenesis to produce short chain fatty acids, alongside carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas. Methanogenesis then begins, producing 60% methane and 40% carbon dioxide.

Biosphere integrity

Planetary boundary that measures species extinction, which can harm ecosystem services. A core boundary and high risk.

Climate change

Planetary boundary that measures how global warming is affecting the earth. A core boundary and high risk.

Land system change

Planetary boundary that measures how land is misused, especially for agriculture. High risk.

Biogeochemical flows

Planetary boundary that measures how highly concentrated minerals are and whether they have crossed self-sustainability. High risk boundary.

Stratospheric Ozone

Planetary boundary that measures ozone depletion. Safe boundary, as the ozone is rebuilding after CFC damage.

Ocean acidification

Planetary boundary which measures the pH changes of water, which has become more acidic due to rising carbon dioxide levels. Safe boundary.

Freshwater use

Planetary boundary that measures the availability of fresh water. Safe boundary.

Desalination

Makes salt water drinkable, but produces brine and requires fossil fuels.

Atmospheric aerosol loading

Planetary boundary that measures microscopic particles in the environment which can cause respiratory and photosynthesis issues. Not quantified.

Introduction of novel entities

Planetary boundary that measures levels of organic pollutants, radioactive materials, nanomaterials and microplastics, some of which are already banned due to toxicity. Not quantified.

Marine stewardship

Council that certifies fish that are obtained sustainably.

Bagasse

Crushed material left behind after plant material is digested with carbohydrases to produce sugars. Later used to heat the fermentation of crystallised sucrose with yeast to produce ethanol.

Acetogenesis

An aerobic process which breaks down macromolecules in waste material to short chain fatty acids, producing carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas as oxygen is used. Methanogenesis, which is anaerobic, then occurs.