Download Effects of Pollution, Urbanization, Agriculture, and Logging on Habitat Degradation and more Slides Wildlife Ecology in PDF only on Docsity! Habitat Degradation Chapter 14 Docsity.com Air Pollution • Air Pollution effects global climate – Climate is one of the main ecological drivers – Greenhouse Gases • Methane • Carbon Monoxide • Carbon Dioxide Docsity.com Effects of Acid Deposition • Declining aquatic animal populations • Thin-shelled eggs prevent bird reproduction – Because calcium is unavailable in acidic soil • Forest decline – Ex: Black forest in Germany (50% is destroyed) Docsity.com Aquatic Pollution – Oxygen demanding wastes • Sewage, livestock waste and other biodegradable organic wastes – Sediments • Natural sources, agriculture, logging, mining, construction – Organic Chemicals • Oil, pesticides, detergents, etc – Inorganic Chemicals • Toxic metals, acids, salts, nitrogen, phosphorus – Heat – Endocrine or Hormone Disruptors • Pharmaceuticals, pesticides Docsity.com Amphibian Sensitivity to Pollution Frog deformities associated with endocrine disruptors in the aquatic environment Docsity.com Agriculture • Monocultures increase plant pathogens – Requires increased pesticide use • Excessive water withdrawals • Recent technological advances and practices are reducing negative impacts of farming – Better water management – Cover crops instead of tilling Docsity.com Logging • Reduction in stand age and diversity • Increased sediment input from clear-cuts and associated unpaved road networks • Increased pesticide use • Habitat fragmentation • Removal of keystone species with global impacts – Tropical rainforest removal • Some improvements in logging techniques but they still have impacts – Selective cutting (focused species removal and incidental damage) – Salvage logging (snag removal) Docsity.com Clear Cutting Docsity.com Roads Urbanization Agriculture Docsity.com Wetland Loss • Extensive habitat loss (91% loss in California) • Unique species diversity • Filters out water pollutants • Buffers hurricane damage Docsity.com Channelization • Dredging, lining of banks with concrete, snag clearing • Reduces number and complexity of habitat types in the stream – Flatwater (glides) only instead of pools (main channel, backwater and scour), riffles (including cascades) Docsity.com
Cascade
CASCADE (CAS) [2.1] {3}
The steepest riffle habitat, consisting of altemating small waterfalls and shallow pools.
Substrate is usually bedrock and boulders.
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Flatwater
GLIDE (GLD) [3.2] {14}
A wide, uniform channel bottom. Flow with low to moderate velocities, lacking
Pronounced turbulence. Substrate usually consists of cobble, gravel, and sand.
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Step Pools
STEP POOL (STP) [4.4] {23}
A series of pools separated by short rifles or cascades. Generally found in high-
gradient, confined mountain streams dominated by boulder substrate.
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Habitat Degradation, Natural Resources and Private Property Rights • There is an inherent conflict between the rights of private property owners and impacts to natural resources Issues: • Monetary compensation • Alteration/elimination of the ESA and Clean Water Act • Especially common with non-point source pollution because it is widespread and hard to pinpoint source (of pollutant and blame) Docsity.com Habitat Degradation, Natural Resources and Private Property Rights • However, several strategies can help private property owners be good stewards of the land – Education – Participation by neighbors – Watershed groups – Policy input Docsity.com
