Acid Rain & D irect Harvesting

Unit 7-3 Notes

Mr. Hefti – Pulaski Biology

Acid Rain & Direct Harvesting

Acid Rain ► What is it?

• Precipitation w/ lower than normal pH • Low pH values (<7) are acidic

AR ► What causes it?

• Sulfur and nitrogen compounds produced as a result of burning fossil fuels–Coal–Oil–Natural gas

AR ► Why is it bad?

• Alters the way organisms function• Disrupts food webs• Damages human-built structures

AR ► What can be done about it?

• Reduce dependency on fossil fuels• Neutralize

lakes with lime

Direct Harvesting ► What is it?

• Destruction or removal of species in large quantities• Leads to:–Over-harvesting–Extinction

DH ► What causes it?

• People needlessly capture or kill organisms–Pets–Ornaments–To use body parts

Magic potion made from ground up

rhino’s horn

Piano keys made from ivory

DH ► Why is it bad?

• The removal of a single species can disrupt an entire food web

DH ► What can be done about it?

• Laws have been passed to protect certain species• Limitations to hunting and fishing

have been established