Dr Debrah Fine Ecology The study of how living things interact with each other and their nonliving environment From Greek oikos meaning home and logy meaning knowledge ID: 780474
Download The PPT/PDF document "Perturbation of Ecological Systems" is the property of its rightful owner. Permission is granted to download and print the materials on this web site for personal, non-commercial use only, and to display it on your personal computer provided you do not modify the materials and that you retain all copyright notices contained in the materials. By downloading content from our website, you accept the terms of this agreement.
Slide1
Perturbation of Ecological Systems
Dr.
Debrah
Fine
Slide2Ecology
The study of how living things interact with each other and their non-living environmentFrom Greek “oikos,” meaning “home,” and “logy,” meaning “knowledge.”
Slide3Lesson OverviewI. Types of ecological interactions
II. Examples of human perturbation of ecological systemsAustraliaHawaiiNew ZealandIII. What are humans doing now to perturb the ecosystem?
Slide4Types of Social Actions
Effect on organism
1
Effect on organism
2
Benefit
Harm
No Effect
BenefitMutualismPredation or parasitismCommensalismHarmPredation or parasitismCompetitionAmensalismNo EffectCommensalismAmensalism-
Slide5Lesson OverviewI. Types of ecological interactions
II. Examples of human perturbation of ecological systemsAustraliaHawaiiNew ZealandIII. What are humans doing now to perturb the ecosystem?
Slide6Rabbits in AustraliaIn 1859, Thomas Austin imported and released 24 rabbits in Australia
"The introduction of a few rabbits could do little harm and might provide a touch of home, in addition to a spot of hunting."
Slide7Population Surge
Since there were few natural predators to rabbits in Australia, their population soared to an estimated 20 billion by the 1920’s
Slide8Why are rabbits such a nuisance?
Rabbits threaten native mammalian populationsSupport fox and feral cat populationsCompete with similar sized native mammals for shelter and foodRabbits threaten native plantsRabbits feed on seedlings and prevent regeneration of native trees and shrubs
Slide9An Early Attempt at Containment
Slide10Myxoma Virus
Slide11Development of Resistance to Myxoma Virus
Resistant
Resistant
Slide12Hawaii: Mongoose
Sugar cane farmers brought the mongoose to control the rat population
Slide13Hawaii: Mongoose
No natural predators in Hawaii
Slide14Hawaii: Mongoose
The mongoose did not control the rat population, but instead preys on native birds and bird eggs
Slide15New Zealand: Possum
Possums were introduced in New Zealand to establish a fur trade
Slide16New Zealand: Possum
No natural predators
Slide17New Zealand: Possum
Spread bovine tuberculosisDamage crops and orchards
Slide18Lesson OverviewI. Types of ecological interactions
II. Examples of human perturbation of ecological systemsAustraliaHawaiiNew ZealandIII. What are humans doing now to perturb the ecosystem?
Slide19Humans and the Earth’s Ecosystem
Slide20Climate Change
Slide21Climate Change: What is a Greenhouse Gas?
Slide22A Map of the World
Slide23Population
Slide24Energy Consumption
Slide25Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Slide26What is a Carbon Footprint?
Your carbon footprint is the sum of all emissions of CO2 (carbon dioxide), which were induced by your activities in a given time frame
Slide27Ways to Reduce Our Carbon Footprints
Take public transportation, walk, ride a bicycle, carpoolSwitch to bio-diesel or a hybrid carLess air travelUse energy efficient lightbulbs and appliancesRecycle and reuse stuff
Don’t be wasteful
Eat food grown locally
Eat less meat
If
your four-person family skips steak 1 day a week [for a year], it’s like taking your car off the road for almost 3 months