2. Changing Biomes

Human Alteration of Biomes to Produce Food, Industrial Materials and Fibres and the Environmental Effects of these Alterations

2.1 Why Alter Biomes?

Biomes are the classification of different natural areas of the Earth. The main biomes we will study include:

Tropical Rainforests
Temporate Forests
Tundra
Grasslands
Deserts
Marine
Freshwater
Savanna
Taiga (Boreal Forests)

Each of these biomes has a limited amount of natural resources that are either on the surface or below the surface that can be utilised for human survival, habitation, industry, agriculture, leisure or luxury. These resources are being exploited in many regions around the world. Fossil Fuels are an example of this, which include oil, coal and natural gas that are not renewable resources and will one day be depleted. These fuels are are used in large scale industrial development and require huge amounts of wood and water in the mining and extraction of the fuel. Further contributing to environmental damage, pollution and Carbon Dioxide emissions that contribute to Global Warming and Climate Change.

We alter Biomes to maintain a lifestyle of housing, tape water, electricity and heating, food prepackaged and readily available, work and incomes for families, cars, boats, trains for transport - all of these things we need for a day to day existence we take for granted. - all these things require human activities that ALTER BIOMES.

2.1a) Fill in the Blanks

Instructions: Some examples of altered biomes are below, can you fill in the blanks?

1. Battle Farming needs forests to be cleared for grazing cattle = deforestation

2. The use of large areas of land for agriculture =_________ __________

3. The water runoff from the use of pesticides on crops to keep disease and bugs away = ________ ________

4. mining of coal for heat and electricity = ___________ ____________ and Global Warming

5. Trawler net fishing for seafood = ________ _________

Answers: species extinction, carbon emissions, water pollution, habitat loss

6. Create a list of 5 ways in which our practices and activities alter biomes.

2.1b) The Future of Food:

A hundred years ago, at the beginning of the twentieth century, the entire world population was less than two billion people. Today, the current world population is more than seven billion. Earth's population is projected to rise to nine billion by 2050, and we all need food. Food is also susceptible to diseases that can ruin food supply.

Activity 1 - Watch the clip on the Future of Food as a class from Splash ABC. (click on the "Splash ABC" link to open the video)

Activity 2 - In small groups discuss the following question and write your response in a google doc, class padlet, on A3 paper or on the white board to contribute to a class discussion about the future of food.

Discussion Question:

"How can we feed the world's population so that all people have an equal share of the World's food resources?"

splash.abc.net.au/home#!/media/1150710/the-future-of-food

2.2 Human alterations to the physical characteristics of biomes. For example vegetation removal, agriculture, land terracing, irrigation, mining

2.2a) Concepts

Instructions: Using the images below above them up to the key terms below and find a brief description of each term to write into your workbooks:

Mining
Irrigation
Land Terracing
Agriculture
Vegetation Removal

2.2b) Altering Biomes for Food Production

Brainstorm the following question:

Can you think of ways in which humans alter Biomes to produce food?

Hint: Use the following link as a guide to assist you with answering the questions.

2.2c) Trashing Our Biomes

Instructions: View the following clip on 'Trashing Our Biomes' and answer the the following questions:

What 2 things are increasing the degradation of biomes?
What do biomes produce?
List some of the ways humans alter biomes
What are some negative effects of altering biomes?
What are some positive effects of altering biomes?
How do cows contribute to global warming/climate change?

Link to Video

TRUE

Not only is human activity impacting the food we eat, altering biomes has also impacted on large scale environmental problems. These include pollution, deforestation, overpopulation, poaching, warming oceans and extreme weather events tied to Climate Change. Climate Change is greatly impacted by human activity. Industrialisation and globalisation of industrial norms since the 1700's has been a significant contributor to the process of climate change.

2.3 Environmental impacts of human alterations to biomes eg habitat and biodiversity loss, water pollution, salinity

2.3a) Article Analysis - Glyphosate

Instructions: Access the link below and read the article about the ways in which the pesticide "Round Up" is being using in agriculture and the damage that it can cause to people who are eating these foods.

Article Link

Instructions: Complete the following questions:

What is Round Up?
Why has it come under recent scrutiny?
What are the health concerns? Research additional health effects of Round Up/gylphosate.
Describe the growth in the use of Round Up and explain why.
Why do farmers use Round Up?
What is the 'don't ask, don't tell policy?
Why are 'Grain Millers' not buying wheat that has been produced using Round Up?
What powerful effect is this product having on the food system.
Create a small glossary list of the terms you have read about so far so that you fully understand their meanings:
Chose 2 terms above that interest you and locate an article for each about the issue and it's impact on biomes. Provide a description for each article in your book.

Why Is Glyphosate Sprayed on Crops Right Before Harvest?Glyphosate, the main ingredient in Monsanto's Roundup herbicide, is recognized as the world's most widely used weed killer. What is not so well known is that farmers also use glyphosate on crops such as wheat, oats, edible beans and other crops right before harvest, raising concerns that the herbici...

Access Article

2.3b) Climate Change due to Altering Biomes:

Instructions: The Ice melt over the last 200 years due to Industrialisation and Human activity watch the clip here to see the large Icecaps break away.

This clip is from ten years ago, however, only just last year we have had a similar event with the Larsen C iceshelp breaking up in Antarctica.

"The Guardian" have a recent article on this event.

2.4 Successful sustainability strategies that minimise environmental impacts

Access Video Here

2.4a) Video Analysis

Instructions: Watch the clip and use the link provided to write down notes on the main areas being addressed to create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approaches to mining.

How are the following concerns addressed? Write a small response for each.

Water
Energy
Land Disruption
Waste
Pollution (Acid Rock Drainage)

2.4b) Genetically Modified Organisms

Instructions: Answer the following questions into your workbooks:

1. What does GM and GMO stand for in food production?

2. Outline the ways in which technology is being used to produce foods?

3. What are the benefits or advantages of GM foods?

4.What are the disadvantages or issues associated with GM foods?

5. What regions or countries of the world are using GM foods the most? Explain WHY these might be the top places pushing this style of food production.

EXTENSION

Instruction: Research the GMO Salmon known as 'Frankenfish' (You Tube clip to get you started).

With reference to this GM fish species, write an answer to the following question:

"Do you support the genetic modification of plant and animal products?"

2.4c) Australias Banana Farmers

Instructions: Watch the clip to the left on Australia's Banana Farmers taking on Sustainable strategies to ensure the future of banana production in North Queensland.

Write down as many of the sustainable farming strategies that you can, which are discussed in this clip.

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