Human Impacts, Pollution and Climate Change
Big idea: Human activities alter habitats, element cycles and climate; ecological assessment traces sources, pathways, exposures and biological responses so solutions can target causes rather than symptoms.
Learning goals
- habitat fragmentation
- pollutant pathway
- bioaccumulation
- greenhouse effect
- climate response
Core concepts
habitat fragmentation
Division of continuous habitat into smaller, more isolated patches that restrict movement and gene flow.
pollutant pathway
The route by which a contaminant moves from a source through the environment to exposed organisms.
bioaccumulation
Increase of a substance within an organism when uptake exceeds elimination.
greenhouse effect
Warming caused when atmospheric gases absorb and re-emit outgoing infrared radiation.
climate response
A biological change in timing, range, abundance or interaction caused by altered climatic conditions.