AP Environmental Science Unit Nine

Invasive species definition & characteristics

Species not native to an area that are often introduced by human transport

• No natural predators

• Highly competitive

Zebra Muscles

• Inhabits the upper midwest

• Transported through ballast water

• Aggressive filter feeders, eating algae that many other species rely on

Kudzu Vine

• Brought from southeast asia to prevent soil erosion in south ga

• No wild herbevore control

Asian Carp

Fish brought to control algae growth in aquatic farms but then escaped to the Mississippi river

• Decreased fish production and value

Pythons (Fl)

• Bought as pets before they were released into the wild

• Small mammals decreased 90-95% in the everglades

  • Aggressive hunters with no (bobcat) natural predators

Methods to control invasive species

• Laws that prevent invasive species

• Careful boat cleaning and inspection

• Introduction of natural predator

• Physical removal

How do species become endangered?

• poaching

• Small niche

• Invasives

• Climate change

Poaching Prevention methods

• Guards

• Laws

• Animal preserves

• Enforcement

• CITES

Endangered Species Act

U.S. law giving USFWS (United States Fish and Wildlife Services) the power to designate species as endangered or threatened

Montreal Protocol (1987)

Global agreement to phase CFCs out of production in refrigerators, aerosols, and other uses

Draw the process of Ozone Depletion

Describe the process of Ozone Depletion

Label the picture

Draw the process of ocean acidification

Label the drawing

Describe the process of Ocean Acidification

Describe the process of Ocean Warming

Describe the Greenhouse Effect

Draw the Greenhouse effect

Label the Drawing

Where does Ozone Depletion occur

Stratosphere

Causes of Ozone Depletion

• Aerosols

• Refrigerants

• Antarctic ice melting

• Styrofoam

Chemicals in Ozone Depletion

CFCs

Environmental effects of ozone depletion on animals

• Sun burns

• Cancer

• Cataracts

Environmental effects of ozone depletion on plants

• Damages stomata

• Decreases photosynthesis

Where does the greenhouse effect occur

Troposphere

Causes of Global Warming

• Fertilizer (denitrification)

• Fossil fuel combustion

• Sanitary landfills (CH₄)

• Permafrost melting

• Rice patties

• Aerosols

• Refrigerants

Chemicals related to global warming

• CO₂

• CH₄

• CFCs

• HCFCs

• H₂O*

• N₂O

Environmental effects of global warming

• Ice melts

• Sea level rises

• Temperature increases

• Shifting tolerance zones

• Biomes shift north (tundra shrinking)

• Vector range increasing

• Stronger Storms

Global Warming impacts on Human health

• Increased vector diseases

• Decreased money (pay more for health)

• Increased heatstroke

• Increased flooding, relocation

• Increased insurance costs

• Decreased aquaculture profits

Chemical associated with Ocean Acidification

CO₂

Environmental impact of Ocean Acidification

• Weakens existing shells

• Prevents new shells from forming

• Increases food for predators

Ocean Acidification impacts on humans

• Decreased food

• Decreased profit

Chemicals Associated with ocean warming (6)

• HCFCs

• CFCs

• N₂O

• CH₄

• CO₂

• H₂O*

Processes related to ocean warming

• Thermal expansion

• Melting Ice

Environmental effects of Ocean Warming

• Reach tolerance critical levels

• Increased H₂O temperature

• Sea level rises

• Photic zone shifts up

• Coral bleaching

• Migration shift (food, reproduction)

• Destroyed mangrove habitat and barrier islands

• Toxic algea blooms

Unequal Global Warming causes….

• Widening hadley cells

• Weakened jet stream

• Ocean currents become weaker

• Altered range in marine ecosystems