4_1_5 the potential impact on society and outdoor environments of land degradation, introduced species, climate change, urbanisation and other significant threats.

Key Knowledge: Identify and predict the potential impact of significant threats on society and outdoor environments.

Damage to outdoor environments will have an impact on society now and into the future.

Impacts could include:

  • Climate change will lead to greater unpredictability in weather and climate leading to changes in agriculture, flooding, more natural disasters, increase in droughts and severe bushfires, sea-level rise leading to big changes an movements in populations and urban areas.

Eg. Lakes Entrance is a local town that is very susceptible to flooding. Along with sea level rise, extraction of oil and gas in the region is leading to land subsidence, a lowering of the land surface. The main street of Lakes Entrance can go underwater when floods coincide with high or king tides.

Not only do greenhouse gases need to be controlled to reduce the impact of climate change but also land clearing accelerates climate change. Vegetation absorbs carbon dioxide, clearing land releases carbon dioxide.

  • Fewer places to find inspiration, to enjoy aesthetic beauty of landscapes and to be inspired or stimulated for creativity
  • Less access to recreational sites and challenge based adventure. Existing venues may become more crowded.
  • Increased pressure from educational groups leading to environmental degradation
  • Decline in economic viability of the tourist industry
  • A loss of biodiversity, extinctions, soil degradation & erosion, decrease in water quality, food shortages
  • Pressure (and less resilience)on ecosystems resulting from introduced species such as feral cats, rabbits, foxes and weeds leading to the extinction of native species
  • The potential loss of species with economic, medical , food, and resource benefits.

Loss of biodiversity is a significant threat. Loss of biodiversity happens through

Habitat destruction – through land clearing, fires, erosion, pollution, urbanisation

Introduced species - compete with native species, predate native species and change natural habitats

Eg Foxes predate on long footed potoroos in E Gipplsnad. These small mammals eat important fungi in forests and play an important role in spreading fungal spores which are important for the health of the forest.

Soil, water & air pollution all disturb outdoor environments and may change living conditions and reduce the numer of species

Forestry – clearing of old growth forest is an issue in East Gipplsand. Old growth forests contain ecosystems that take 100s of year to mature. A replanted forest does not have the same species as an old growth forest. IN particular the presence of hollows in trees is important for mammals such as gliders, possums as well as owls.