Anthropocene epoch,Human impacts

In this assignment, you will open the link below and participate in a “Click and Learn” Activity.

http://media.hhmi.org/biointeractive/click/anthropocene/

You may begin by clicking on each impact topic in the left vertical menu. A description of man’s influence or impact on each category is explained.

Next, hover around on the diagram itself, and click to see what changes will occur. After each click, a graph will show at the bottom of the screen. The more diagram clicks, the greater the number of human changes are added, and the more graphs show at the bottom.

Assignment:

Select 3 human impacts you are most interested in learning about.

List the following information for how each impact affects ecosystems:

a. Describe how the human impact you selected affects the ecosystem.

b. Summarize some of the quantitative (graph) data that provide evidence of humans’ impact on the ecosystem.

c. Describe specific types of evidence people should look for in their own ecosystem to determine whether humans are changing the local environment.

d. Describe what you can do as an individual to limit your impact.

You may complete the assignment using these directions, or download the word document attached, which has the same directions.

Assignment submission must be a single document, either in word (.doc, .docx) or pdf format. You may add your work to the bottom of the assignment document, or create your own.

Discussion 4: Sustainability and You
Discussion Topic
Task: Reply to this topic
Available on Dec 1, 2021 12:01 AM. Hidden before availability starts.
Available until Dec 8, 2021 11:59 PM. Access restricted after availability ends.
This final discussion assignment is to apply the terms listed below, and apply them to what the course has presented to you on Florida and its ecosystems. Lastly, we wish to hear how you can practice sustainability in your own everyday lives and habits.

Be sure to answer the following questions:

1) Define Sustainability and Sustainable development. Please use valid resources such as government or educational sites. Provide their definitions in your own words, do not copy and paste.

2) Compare and contrast the three components of a sustainable society. The three components are ecological integrity, social justice and economic prosperity. The course discussed the first component, ecological integrity, in the most detail, with references to social justice and economic prosperity. Provide, in your own words, how each component can work together, as well as the difficulties of maintaining each with the influences of the others.
3) In the freshwater marshes unit, there are several examples of humans now emulating nature. Provide one of them.

4) How can you, as an individual, change behavior or practice to be a more sustainable individual?

ANSWER

The Anthropocene: Human Impact on the Environment

List the following information for how each impact affects ecosystems:

• Atmosphere
• Ocean
• Mining

Describe how the human impact you selected affects the ecosystem

Atmosphere- When fossil fuels are used, air pollution is the biggest known contributor to the atmosphere’s deterioration (Gauthier, 2021). When greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere, they alter the climate. As nitrous oxide levels rise, the pace of climate change accelerates dramatically.

Ocean- Heavy trash dumping and polluted water are two examples of human impact on the ocean. It pollutes the ocean, contaminates and destroys animal habitats, which harms our ecology (Long, 2021). In addition, stormwater runoff that does not undergo treatment before entering the ocean can contaminate waterways that lead to the sea. Individuals and their health can be harmed by garbage and sewage.

Mining- New buildings and industrial construction regions lead to deforestation and mining. It’s one of the earliest methods for obtaining solid materials that we utilize in our everyday lives. Consequently, waterways are polluted, and pipelines are eroded (Gauthier, 2021). The normal cycles of metallic elements, carbon, phosphorus, and nitrogen, are disrupted by the emission of chemicals

Summarize some quantitative (graph) data that provide evidence of humans’ impact on the ecosystem.

Atmosphere- The results demonstrate that carbon dioxide levels increased dramatically with millions in 1950 and beyond. On the other hand, nitrous oxide and methane were detected in the billions, although they increased marginally up to 330 (Long, 2021).

According to the statistics, 75% of the ocean has been contaminated since 1950, with a significant rise since 2000 (Long, 2021).

Mining- No data

Describe specific types of evidence people should look for in their ecosystem to determine whether humans are changing the local environment.

Atmosphere- The burning of plastic, the production of carbon dioxide, and the temperature (Gauthier, 2021).

Ocean- Trash, rising ocean temperatures, a rise in the rain, or weather-related disasters

Mining- Deforestation, erosion, and the release of chemical toxins

Describe what you can do as an individual to limit your impact.

Atmosphere- As an individual, I may begin by improving my productivity. Energy savings may be achieved by switching from incandescent lamps to LEDs. More of my meals would be organic. Our food choices have a significant impact on the environment. According to environmentalists, grow your fruits and veggies (Rull, 2021). Eat at least one meatless dinner a week to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Ocean- Beach clean-ups are a simple way to help protect the ocean. Learn more about ocean conservation and animal preservation by becoming involved in my local community and supporting local wildlife events. As a result, less waste is dumped into the ocean (Rull, 2021). I’ve cut down on the amount of plastic I use and am more selective about the types of seafood I consume.

Mining- I don’t think mining can be controlled. Trees are being cut down to make way for even more structures to be built on top of them by the industrial business. However, the problem is that it’s suffocating our planet’s oxygen supply (Rull, 2021). I believe the only solution is to reduce the amount of material utilized. Please do your best to clean up around the mines and raise legislators’ awareness of their environmental effects.

Reference

Gauthier, E., & Jouffroy-Bapicot, I. (2021). Detecting human impacts: non-pollen palynomorphs as proxies for human impact on the environment. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 511.

Long, K. E., Schneider, L., Connor, S. E., Shulmeister, N., Finn, J., Roberts, G. L., … & Haberle, S. G. (2021). Human impacts and Anthropocene environmental change at Lake Kutubu, a Ramsar wetland in Papua New Guinea. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118(40).

Rull, V., Vegas-Vilarrúbia, T., Corella, J. P., & Valero-Garcé, B. (2021). Bronze Age “pristinity,” Iron Age anthropization, and Medieval intensification of human impact around Lake Montcortès (southern-central Pyrenees): a possible mid-elevation pattern and its significance for the definition of the Anthropocene.