HUMAN IMPACT ON THE LITHOSPHERE AGRICULTURE AgricultureThe cultivation

HUMAN IMPACT ON THE LITHOSPHERE

AGRICULTURE • • • Agriculture-The cultivation of other life forms for food purposes Land must be cleared for agriculture makes area less diverse Monoculture-Only one species is present • • Easier for farmers to maintain Less cost efficient

AGRICULTURE • Pesticides-Chemicals designed to protect crops from parasites • Pesticides can runoff into streams or seep into the groundwater • Pesticides can harm organisms Offset food chains

AGRICULTURE • Irrigation-Process where farmers supply water to dry land in order to help the growing of crops • Helps saturate very dry land • Prevents farmers from having to rely on rainfall

AGRICULTURE • Problems with irrigation: • Groundwater runs out (Aquifer depletion) • Ground sinks due to depleted groundwater (San Joaquin Valley) • Over irrigation may cause water to mix with pesticides and cause water pollution

DEFORESTATION • Deforestation-Process where trees are removed and not replanted • Done in order to clear area for construction • Trees are also used for products such as paper, firewood

DEFORESTATION • As trees are removed the topsoil is weakened • This causes an increase in erosion due to soil not being held in place

DEFORESTATION • If more trees are cut down then carbon dioxide will increase and oxygen levels will decrease • Photosynthesis will stop • If trees are burned that also releases carbon dioxide Could lead to global warming

URBANIZATION • Urbanization is the growth of cities as more people move from rural areas to urban areas • 70% of people in North America live in a city • By 2025 -5 Billion people will live in cities

URBANIZATION • Effects of Urbanization on the environment • Destroys ecosystems – Forests are cleared and wetlands are filled • Increased erosion • More factories More emissions More greenhouse gases

SOLUTIONS • Barriers around construction sites to catch eroded sediment • Keep sediment from polluting streams • Modern landfills minimize leakage. Ventilation at landfills cipher out toxic gases

MOUNTAINSIDES • Mountaintop removal mining-Destructive form of surface mining that blasts away the tops of mountains to acquire resources • Done in the Appalachian Mountains • Massive transport trucks • Burning coal for power releases pollutants