Threats to Biodiversity
Diversity of Living Things and Threats to Biodiversity
By: Amanda Narine
Air pollution in China, Beijing
What is the threat and why is it important for people to be aware of it?
- The threat is that the polluted air is unsafe
- Smog is harmful to the lungs.
- Shortened life span due to the smog and the chemicals in the air.
- Increase risk of Pulmonary fibrosis and other diseases
- Ozone affects the lungs heavily, Children, seniors and asthma patients must be aware of the smog and its dangers.
- Thought to be the cause of cancer
What is the cause of the threat?
- The cause of the threat is the over use of non-renewable resources.
- 24.5% of pollution from other districts surrounding Beijing
- 22% of pollution is caused by direct and indirect vehicle emission
- 16.7% is caused by Coal pollution
- 16.3% is from industrial emissions
- 16% Urban fugitive dust pollution
- 4.5% Rural straw burning
- Though most of the smog is created through coal burning, done the industry.
Vehicle Emission
Smog Forces People To Wear Ear-loop Masks
Industrial Emission
What are the impacts of the threat to the organisms in the different Kingdoms in that region?
Bacteria or Archaea
- Geodermatophilus obscurus is the scientific name for a soil bacteria
- Air borne bacteria breeds in smog
- The smog does not defeat them
- Inhaled by humans and animals
- Soil associated microorganisms were found in a smog sample
Protista:
- Thecamoebian or testate amoeba
- There was a decrease in the amount of testate amoeba
- Proven that if there is air pollution then there is a decrease in testate amoebas.
- They are very abundant
- They are identified by their shell even after they die
Fungi
- Coprinus comatus or the shaggy ink cap
- Thought to be an indicator of lead and air pollution
- Grown in China
- Grow near industries
- The fungus develops shaggy parts on the top to indicate air pollution
Plantae
- Toxic air affects the crops
- The city’s pollutants are expanding in to the country side.
- Ozone damages the pores on the leaves of plants
- The plant uses these pores (Stomata) to regulate the amount of water that transpires from the leaves. With an amount gone the plant needs to take in more water to replenish the amount lost.
- Reduction of plant growth and the withdrawal of crops to reap
- Oryza sativa is the scientific name for rice plants in Asia
Animalia
- Homo sapiens in the scientific name for Humans
- Extremely affected by the air pollution
- Affects respiratory and circulatory systems
- Some symptoms of inhaling smog are: Shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, experiencing pain when breathing
- When ozone is inhaled arteries become tightened which reduce the blood flow and the oxygen supply to the heart
- Children, seniors, asthma patients, and people with existing cardiac and respiratory problems are at risk.
- Humans require oxygen in order to sustain life.
Asthma patients and children must be careful
Difficulty breathing
Affects respiratory and circulatory systems
What actions can humans take to reduce the impacts of the threat or prevent it from happening elsewhere in the world?
Some actions humans can take to reduce the impact of air pollution or prevent it from happening elsewhere in the world is to reduce the amount of direct and indirect fuel emission and reduce a persons’ carbon footprint, turn off electronics and lights when they are not in use, use energy efficient light bulbs and appliances. There are many ways to prevent air pollution so let’s save our world, it’s the only one we have.