Option C: Impacts of humans on ecosystems

Pollutants become concentrated in the tissues of organisms at higher trophic levels by biomagnification.
​Skill: Analysis of data illustrating the causes and consequences of biomagnification.  Click link to illustrate NOAA biomagnification of mercury levels in fish and birds.  
Competitive exclusion and the absence of predators can lead to reduction in the numbers of endemic species when alien species become invasive.

This interactive simulation shows how populations behave when grown alone or when mixed together.  This is competitive exclusion - how can this be illustrated with an invasive species population?
Introduced alien species can escape into local ecosystems and become invasive.
Application: Study of the introduction of Cane Toads in Australia and one other local example of the introduction of an alien species.
Skill: Evaluation of eradication programmes and biological control as measures to reduce the impact of alien species.
Click the link to read about biocontrol of invasive species in Australia.
Application: Discussion of the trade off between control of malarial parasite and DDT pollution. 
Macroplastic and microplastic debris has accumulated in marine environments.
Application: Case study of the impact of marine plastic debris on Layson Albrotross and one other named species.
Google:  A bird named Wisdom
She is a Layson albatross that has seen a clean world and the awful world of plastics.  She lives on the island of Midway with the largest colony of these albatrosses and is now 67.  
Leatherback sea turtles
International-mindedness:
Over 100 countries across the globe have agreed to ban the production of CFCs to reduce the depletion of the ozone layer.
Aim 8: Many developed countries export toxic waste to less developed countries. Is financial compensation a fair exchange for hazardous waste?