Future Ecosystems (IQ3)

How can human activity impact on an ecosystem?

Role of Human-Induced Selection Pressure on Extinction

Habitat destruction & Degradation, Species Overexploitation, Pollution, Invasive species & disease, Climate change

Habitat Destruction/Fragmentation

Decreases population size, increases vulnerability of organisms moving between fragments, cause the edge effect

Invasive species

Change in biotic and abiotic factors of an ecosystem, make native species vulnerable

Overexploitation

Reduces population and balance of an ecosystem

Pollution

Fertilisers, Litter, Atmospheric pollutants

Climate change

Increasing temperatures and melting ice-caps

Mining Sites

Removal of contaminated soil or any chemical contamination, revegetation and landscaping, regular testing of local waterways for chemical contamination from run-off, control gas emissions

Land Degradation from Agricultural Practices

Soil erosion, Salinisation, Eutrophication, Introduced species, Land clearing, Pesticide residues

Example: Restoring Sydney Harbour (Primary Threats)

Contamination, non-indigenous species, habitat alteration, non-commercial fishing and climate change

Example: Agricultural Practices (Primary Issues)

Soil erosion, salinisation, eutrophication, introduced species, land clearing and pesticide residues