Human Impact on The Environment Invasive Species Invasive

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Human Impact on The Environment Invasive Species Invasive species are those that are alien

Human Impact on The Environment Invasive Species Invasive species are those that are alien to an ecosystem that they have been introduced into and… • Are likely to cause harm to the environment or human health • exhibit an aggressive growth habits • out-compete and displace native species Federal Statutes: The Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 (NANPCA), as amended by the National Invasive Species Act of 1996, is the primary federal law dealing with aquatic invasive species and ballast water management. NANPCA established the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, which is co-chaired by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The legislation also addresses research, prevention, species control, monitoring, and information dissemination. Sharon Brostrom- Oceanography B 4 Phragmites australis Pterois volitans Description: Stalks reach heights of 6 -12 feet; color of inflorescence is purple to light brown. Found at edges of marshy areas, both fresh and brackish water, along roadsides, or in open disturbed areas Pathway: Natural immigration Current Distribution: Found in all of the New England states; native to some parts of the U. S. ; has been in New England for at least 4000 years. Non-native strains were also introduced and are believed to be the ones with the invasive tendencies. Impact: Forms monocultures that exclude native species. Description: Also known as zebrafish or turkeyfish; one of several species of venomous coral reef fishes; striking reddish-brown striped pattern on body and fins Pathway: Native to Indian and Pacific Oceans; introductions likely the result of intentional or unintentional releases by aquarists; first reported in LIS (1999). Current Distribution: Florida to Long Island Sound; seasonal invader of eastern Long Island Sound; comes in with warm core rings of water that break off from Gulf Stream; first observed by divers in Florida in 1994 Impact: Venomous; no natural predator. Overfishing (Lionfish) (Common reed, stout grass) Hemigrapsus sanguineus (Asian shore crab) Description: Also known as Japanese shore crab; reaches 7 -8 cm, brown striped legs with red spots on claws, with three spines on either side of carapace. Pathway: Introduced from Asia to eastern seaboard most likely by ballast water; discovered in New Jersey in 1988; spread north and south; reported in Long Island Sound in 1993. Current Distribution: Maine to North Carolina; prefers rocky cobble areas. Impact: Dominant rocky intertidal crab; consumes juvenile mussels and oysters, green crabs, snails, polychaetes, algae, hydroids, barnacles. The oceans supply us with food, help regulate our climate, and provide a livelihood for millions of people. We depend on them for recreation and renewal. But the bounty of our seas is not endless. Today, no part of the oceans remains unaffected by human activities. And among the many factors influencing our ocean ecosystems, few have as great an impact as fishing and aquaculture. Through better practices, we can create healthy, abundant oceans for everyone. What is the Seafood Watch Program? • The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program helps consumers and businesses make choices for healthy oceans • recommendations indicate which seafood items are "Best Choices, " "Good Alternatives, " and which ones you should "Avoid” • Seafood Watch recommendations are science-based, peer reviewed, and use ecosystem-based criteria Fish Resources: • Humans have been fishing the oceans for thousands of years, but over the past five decades technology has allowed us to fish farther, deeper and more efficiently than ever before. • Scientists estimate that we have removed as much as 90 percent of the large predatory fish (shark, swordfish and cod from the world's oceans). What can you do… • Global catch of wild fish leveled off over 15 years ago and 85 percent Support Sustainable seafood companies and restaurants (Whole Foods) of the world's fisheries are being harvested at capacity or are in decline. Use and share Seafood Watch pocket guides (i. Phone and Android app) What can you do? Educate yourself • Support Sustainable seafood companies and restaurants (Whole Foods) • Use and share Seafood Watch pocket guides (i. Phone and Android app) Ocean Acidification Carbon dioxide dissolves in the ocean, where it causes a potentially more serious problem ocean acidification. Ocean acidification poses a threat to shell-forming organisms like corals and calcifying plankton. As the ocean acidifies, organisms such as corals, snails, and calcifying plankton will not be able to make their shells and grow. H 2 CO 3 carbonic acid CO 2 + CO 32 - + H 2 O 2 HCO 3 – carbonate ions bicarbonate ions The concentration of carbonate ions decreases. Types of Pollution Nitrogen (wastewater, farming) Pharmaceuticals Garbage Heavy metals (Hg, Zn, Pb, Fe) Chemicals (PCB’s, industrial waste) Petroleum products Pteropods are zooplankton and an important prey of fish. Carbonic acid reduces ocean p. H. CO 2 + H 2 O • • • Coral reefs are the most biodiverse areas of the ocean. This picture shows a difference in a coral reef ecosystem as the amount of dissolved CO 2 in seawater increases. As CO 2 increases, water temperature also increases and the p. H of the seawater decreases. Coccolithiphores are the base of the marine food web. Pollution Nonpoint Source Pollution: many smaller point sources • Occurs as a result of runoff • Caused by: septic tanks, cars, trucks, boats, farms, ranches, construction sites, cities, etc. • Hard to manage • Loss of aquatic species diversity, damage to coral reefs, algae blooms, sea grass bed decline, closure of beaches (swimming) and shellfish beds Point Source Pollution: Pollution originates from an Nitrogen: identifiable source • Fertilizers; overfertilization of crops, • Oil spills, algae blooms, industrial plants, sewage pipes runoff • Treated and untreated sewage • Wastewater released from treatment plants; combined sewer overflows (CSO’s) Rivers and streams transport nutrients, salts, sediments, and pollutants from watersheds to estuaries ( through runoff) and ultimately to ocean. Examples of nonpoint source pollution Example of point source pollution How Pollution Travels Through the Water Cycle Pacific Garbage Patch • Plastic, debris, chemical sludge trapped by currents in Pacific • Actually two patches; West and East • About twice the size of the state of Texas • Located between the Hawaiian Islands and California