Human Impact on Earth: Cause and Effect

Humans have used resources from their environment for food and shelter for millions of years. Over time, however, human activities have extensively impacted Earth's ecosystems. Rain forests are one of a number of ecosystems on Earth that have been negatively affected by human activities. This book explores the different ways humans have impacted the plants and animals that call rain forest environments home. Full-color photographs depict harmful human activities and conservation efforts while fact boxes and sidebars provide readers with additional information about how rain forest environments have changed since the dawn of the human race.

Earth's geography might seem unchanging, but it's changed greatly over the years. Some of the most obvious changes have taken place on Earth's coastlines, where the consequences of human activities are seen in a number of ways. This book explores the different ways Earth's coastlines have changed and why these changes have taken place. Through fact boxes and sidebars, readers will also learn about how people can help prevent these changes from continuing. Full-color photographs further depict the changes to Earth's coastline environments.

Earth is constantly changing. However, over the last several decades, human activity has accelerated these changes around the world. Mountains, for example, may seem permanent and unchanging, but they are just as fragile as Earth's other environments. Written according to state and national STEM standards, this book explores the impact that humans have on mountain environments, from the creation of roads and ski slopes to the use of explosives to create mines. Age-appropriate text is supported by full-color photographs, fact boxes, and sidebars.

Since their appearance on Earth, humans and their ancestors have impacted their surroundings. However, they've affected some of these environments more severely than others. Readers will learn how human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and hunting, have directly and indirectly impacted tundra environments for thousands of years. Fact boxes and sidebars provide readers with supplementary information about the subject matter, while full-color photographs show the damaging effects of human activities on tundra environments.

The Great Plains is a large and very important grassland ecosystem covering roughly one-fourth of the United States. Human activity has had an impact on this environment for thousands of years, especially since the 1800s, when hunters killed off almost all of the enormous herds of American bison that once roamed the area. Readers will learn how agricultural practices, global warming, hunting, and urban development have changed the area. They'll also learn about conservation efforts to both restore the Great Plains and prevent further damage. Informative fact boxes, sidebars, and full-color photographs provide extra in-depth information on the changing environment of the Great Plains.

Many people have heard of Earth's largest deserts: The Sahara in northern Africa, the Gobi in east central Asia, and the Arabian in the Arabian Peninsula. However, some people may not know that these deserts weren't always so big. Desertification is the process by which natural or human causes turn previously productive land into desert areas. This book explores the different causes of desertification and the ways even longtime desert lands can change. Fact boxes and sidebars provide readers with additional information relating to the main text.