what are some major human impacts on aquatic ecosystems? kakakakimmi & geoffrey
TRANSCRIPT
WHAT ARE SOME MAJOR HUMAN IMPACTS ON AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS?
Kakakakimmi & Geoffrey
Leaching
Natural leaching: nutrients seeps out of soil and causes it to flow into rivers and streams without the help of humans.
Chemicals from fertilizers and pesticides tend to leach and make the water unsuitable for life.
Sulfurous compounds make water more acidic and can cause acid rain.
Oil can cover plants and animals making them unable to fly or photosynthesize
Deforestation
Eliminates plants whose roots hold soil in place
Causes runoff and increases rate of erosion
Sediment from runoff clouds up water and affects photosynthesis
May cause floods from the lack of absorption into the soil
Dams
Affect fish migration and mating.
Floods ecosystems and dries others.
Excess nutrients
Fertilizers or other sources of nutrients raise the nutrient level and cause algae blooms.
Dead algae sinks and takes out oxygen from the water.
Agriculture and Irrigation
Grazing promotes runoff and increases sediment
Livestock have contaminants and potentially dangerous bacteria that can kill plants and animals.
Irrigation lowers water levels of rivers and streams
Debris (aka litter)
Choking hazard for birds and fish
Blocks sunlight from penetrating water
May seep out chemicals
Clogs waterways
Alien species
May become invasive and kill off native plants an animals
May cause extinction