Ecosystems and Biodiversity Lesson 8 : Threats and Protections for Michigan Biodiversity

In this lesson, students are asked to refer to the Michigan Environmental Timeline introduced in Lesson 5. An illustrated version of this timeline can be printed from the MEECS Ecosystem & Biodiversity CD, and displayed on the classroom wall. If the timeline has not been previously introduced to the students, this lesson can still be taught, but additional time may be needed to familiarize students with the timeline.

Students are first asked to identify examples of ways people have harmed Michigan’s environment in the past or present. Some examples of ways human activities have harmed the environment include:

• unsustainable logging

• fragmentation of wildlife habitat (caused by road

and bridge building)

• disturbance of wildlife (disturbed nesting sites,

road kills, noise and light pollution, shoreline

development, etc.)

• draining and filling of wetlands

• overfishing

• overhunting

• water diversion and building dams or channels

• introduction of invasive animals and plants

• pollution from automobiles

• pollution from power plants and industry

• pollution from sewage overflows

• pollution from run-off

• construction/development

The term sustainability means meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Students should know that when people do harmful things to the environment that have lasting effects on future generations, these actions are not sustainable. Finding sustainable ways of living and managing natural resources is a challenge that people continue to face in today’s society.

Biodiversity in Michigan and around the world is threatened by five main categories of human activities, including 1) habitat loss, 2) introduction of invasive species, 3) pollution, 4) population growth, and 5) overuse of resources. These five categories can be easily remembered by the acronym “H-I-P-P-O.” More specific information about each of these threats can be found in the Threats to Michigan Biodiversity student resource pages included at the end of this lesson.

In examining the provided Michigan Environmental Timeline, students can identify several examples of events that threaten or protect Michigan’s environment, relating to each of the five threat categories (HIPPO). Listed below are single examples of contributing causes and protections related to each of the threats.

Habitat Loss

• Threat: Much of Michigan is deforested during the Michigan Lumbering Boom (1867-1900).

• Protection: The Civilian Conservation Corps is created, which works to increase and improve Michigan forests (1933-1942).

Invasive Species

• Threat: The opening of various canal systems (Erie Canal in 1825, Sault St. Marie in 1855, improved Welland Canal in 1919, and St. Lawrence Seaway in 1959) allowed increased ship traffic and, consequently, the introduction of many invasive species, including the sea lamprey and zebra mussel.

• Protection: The Michigan Departments of Natural Resources (DNR) and Environmental Quality (DEQ) work to control the spread of invasive species and prevent the introduction of new invasives.

Pollution

• Threat: During World War II (1941-1945), industry expanded in Michigan with little environmental control, resulting in an increased amount of pollution to the State’s lakes and rivers.

• Protection: In 1968, Michigan voters passed the first Clean Water Bond, committing $335 million to protect the State’s water.

Population Growth

• Threat: In the ten-year period between 1830 and 1840, Michigan’s population increased dramatically from 31,639 to 212,267. Increased numbers of people living in Michigan generally (but not necessarily) led to increased amounts of habitat destruction, pollution, and invasive species.

• Protection: Some examples of efforts to protect natural areas from development pressures caused partly by an increasing population include the establishment of the State Park system in 1919.

Overuse of Resources

• Threat: It became fashionable for women to wear hats decorated with feathers between 1850 and 1910. During this period, millions of birds were killed for the feathers, contributing to the decline of many species of North American birds.

• Protection: In 1887, a new position of State Game Warden was created to protect the State’s fish and wildlife.