Human Impact On Earth

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Environmental Science

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Interdisciplinary field that studies the dynamic relationship between humans and the environment

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Mass extinction

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Are catastrophic events that leads to a significant loss of several species

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Agriculture

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Is essentially food production but can impact the environment

The science or occupation of cultivating the soil, producing crops and raising livestock

It’s the leading source of pollution due to pesticides, fertilizers

But It also can trap greenhouse gases within crops and soils and positively affect the environment

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Agriculture

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Is essentially for food production but can impact the environment

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Pesticides

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Chemical used to control pests that harm crops, people or animals

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Industrial growth

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Can have a significant impact on environmental pollution and public health

Because more people use more resources

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Urban development

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Encompasses the growth and changes in cities due to industrialization, economic development and population growth

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Urban means relating to a city

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Ecosystem

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Are shaped by interactions between species such as 1 competition, 2 invasion and 3 tritrophic interaction

Tritrophic - 3 levels of the food chain plants, herbivores and predators

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Predator

Herbivore

Plant

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Renewable resources

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Such as micro algae, lignocellulosic fibers, and plant oils

Also solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, hydropower, ocean energy, bio energy

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Renewable resources

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Such as micro algae, lignocellulosic fibers, and plant oils

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Lignocellulosic fibers are plants that can be used for Advanced biofuels

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Non renewable resources

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Fossil fuels such as , natural gas , coal and oil

Minerals

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Finite or limited amount

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Point source of pollution

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Any single identifiable source of pollution from which pollutants are discharged

Like as agricultural areas and pesticides handling sites

Like a leaky pipe a ship

Most common are factories or sewage treatment plants

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Point source pollution

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any single identifiable source of pollution from which pollutants are discharged, such as a pipe, ditch, ship or factory smokestack.” Factories and sewage treatment are most common

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Point Source

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Agricultural areas and pesticide handling

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Sustainable development

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Aims to balance economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection

It aims to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

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Land resources

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Crucial for sustainable development, especially in countries like China

Examples: water, oil, copper,natural gas,coal and forests air fish wildlife

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Humus

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Vital component of soil, providing nutrients for plant growth

It’s the organic component of soil, formed by decomposition of leaves, and other plant material by soil microorganisms (bacteria, fungus or virus)

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Topsoil

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Crucial for plant growth and ecosystem health

The upper layer of soil. It has the highest concentration of organic matter and microorganisms

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Soil erosion

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Influenced by factors like vegetation, climate, and land use

The detachment and movement of soil from its original point through the action of wind or water

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Overgrazing

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Contributes, along with climate factor, contributed to grassland degradation. The increase in goat density and associated grazing pressures were identified as likely non-climatic factors behind the degradation

The practice of grazing too many livestock for too long a period on land unable to recover its vegetation.

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A grassland in Mongolian steppes suggests this.

Degradation can refer to various processes, such as the deterioration of materials, environmental degradation, or protein degradation

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Drought

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A significant environmental stress that affects plant growth and crop productivity.(a period of dry weather, especially a longer time that is injurious to crops)

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Desertification

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Caused by a combination of climate change and human activities.(a type of land degradation in which a relatively dry land region becomes increasingly arid)

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Land management

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Crucial for addressing global challenges such as climate change and food security

The process of managing the use of land resources

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Ecology

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The study of the relationships between living organisms and their environment

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Photosynthesis

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The process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy

The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water. It involves the green pigment chlorophyll and generates oxygen as a byproduct.

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Temperate forests

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temperate forests play a crucial role in timber production, nature protection, and water conversion. they are affected by forest management, climate change, and human activities

It is found between the tropical and boreal regions (covering 25% of the world’s forests)

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Deforestation

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This is a significant threat to biodiversity(the variety of life on earth) and climate. Driven by agriculture and global demand for commodities.

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Aquatic

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Aquatic environments offer unique bringers for rehabilitation and robotics.

Relating to water

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Aquaculture

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This is the farming of fish, crustaceans (any aquatic animal with an exosxeleton),mollusks (invertebrate), and Aquatic plants

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Smog

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Smog is a type of air pollution that contains harmful particles and gases, such as ozone and particulate matter(made up of particles (tiny pieces) of solids or liquids that are in the air)

Fog plus smoke

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Cellular respiration

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This is the process by which cells break down respiratory substances, such as glucose, to release energy.

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Emissions

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Greenhouse gas emissions from various sources, such as industrial activities, transportation, and agriculture, contribute to air pollution and climate change, impacting human health and the environment.

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Acid rain

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This is a significant environmental problem caused by sulfur and nitrogen emissions.

Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react with water, oxygen and other chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric acids.

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Freshwater resource

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Freshwater is essential for economic activity, ecosystems, and human survival. It’s important to manage and protect freshwater resources to ensure sustainability and meet the needs of current and future generations.

Surface water, under river water, groundwater and frozen water (glaziers)

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Wetlands

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Wetlands play a crucial role in the environment, from treating wastewater to protecting against infectious diseases.

Wetlands filter water, providing flood and erosion control

Also home to abundant fish and wildlife

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Ozone depletion

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Ozone depletion refers to the thinning of the ozone layer on the Earth’s stratosphere. This thinning is primarily caused by the release of chlorofluorocarbons and other ozone-depleting substances.

Most pronounced over Antarctica

It causes increased UV radiation which causes cataracts, skin cancers genetic and immune system damage.

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UV radiation

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UV radiation can increase the risk of skin cancer, cataracts with factors such as radiation type, dose, and individual sensitivity playing a role.

Meaning fair skin and blue eyes are most susceptible to this kind of damage.

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Extinction

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This is a natural process, when an entire species dies.

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catalysts

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A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent change.

They offer potential for efficient and sustainable processes, but further reasearch is needed to fully understand their capabilities.

Examples

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Cellular respiration

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This is the process by which cells break down respiratory substances, such as glucose, to release energy.

A chemical process in which oxygen is used to make energy from carbohydrates (sugars)

The cell makes ATP inside the cells mitochondria

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Global warming

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The Long-term increase in Earth’s average surface temperature due to human activities, leading to various health impacts.

Humans have been burning of fossil fuels since the 1800’s which produces heat-trapping gases.

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Biodiversity

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Refers to the variety of life on earth, including the different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms.

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Freshwater resource

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Freshwater is essential for economic activity, ecosystems, and human survival. It’s important to manage and protect freshwater resources to ensure sustainability and meet the needs of current and future generations.

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Wetlands

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Wetlands play a crucial role in the environment, from treating wastewater to protecting against infectious diseases.

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Genetic diversity

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Varies among species and within genomes(the complete set of DNA in an organism), impacting evolution and conservation.

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Keystone species

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These are crucial for ecosystem function.

A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its natural environment relative to its abundance

It helps hold the system together

Examples: starfish (keeps populations of barnacles and mussels in check thereby ensuring there’s enough seaweed for the communities that feed on them)

sea otters, bees (pollinators), wolves (keep elk populations down) elephants (during dry season their tusks dig up waterholes for other species to use too)

saguaro cactus,

hummingbirds (pollinators)

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Chlorofluorocarbons

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These were once widely used in refrigerants, aerosols, and foam blowing agents. Due to their harmful enviornmental impact, the Montreal Protocol was established to phase out their production.