Causes of Unbalanced Ecosystems

Natural Disasters

Unnatural Disasters◦Biomagnification◦Deforestation◦Global Warming◦Eutrophication

Increase in concentration of a pollutant from 1 link in a food chain to anotherDue to –

- Bioaccumulation: increase in concentration of toxins in an organism or population

- DDT & Eagles

Biomagnification

Even small amounts of toxins can make it into organisms in high enough levels to cause problems

Pollutants have in common:• Long – lived• Mobile• Soluble in Water• Biologically active• Heavy metals like lead & mercury

Removal of indigenous forests & woodlandsResults in: • Alteration of Local and global climates• Global warming• Drier Climate (less plants, land holds less

water)• Soil Degradation (erosion & silting of water)• Extinction/loss of Species• Desertification• Urban Development• Increased Farming

Deforestation

Process where bodies of water receive excess nutrients that stimulate excessive plant growth- Especially nitrogen

Eutrophication

Causes of Global Warming

• Industrialization• Deforestation• Pollution• Natural Causes/Sources

Global Warming

Results of Global Warming

• Ave. Temperatures have risen 1.4oF/0.8oC

• Arctic Ice Disappearing• Coral Reefs Bleaching due to warmer ocean

• More extreme weather events (wildfires, heat waves, tropical storms)

• Glaciers Melting