GROUP 2 BSN 3-D: TEAM A: D_7_CARO, D_8_CERVANTES, D_9_CORCINO

Investigating the “Anthropocene"

1. What is the Anthropocene and how did it get its name? Anthropocene is the period of time
wherein human activities has enough impact that would cause a distinct geological change. The term is
derived from Greek words anthropo, for “man”, and cene, for “new”.

2. How are humans influencing the planet? The continuous increase in population has caused
an ecological imbalance to the planet. The move towards urbanization has threatened plants and
forest area which has implications on water and soil quality. The increased demand for resources caused
the need to convert natural lands to farms thus reducing the amount of biologically diverse habitats.
Moreover, human leisure activities can induce extinction of species that may disrupt the food chain.

3. How much of the Earth’s land surface (outside of ice sheets) is managed by humans?
Describe how humans have modified the Earth’s surface. Which areas (countries/continents)
show the most “red”, which indicates a high level of human impact? 75% of the earth’s land
surface outside of ice sheets is managed by humans. With the increasing population comes the increase
of food demand. To cope with this, natural lands are converted to farms which affected biologically
diverse habitats and usage of water. Moreover, forest area are being turned into roads and areas of
development which caused the lost of 50% of the world’s forest. Areas that indicates high level of human
impact are the countries of China, USA, and India and also the European continent.

4. What percentage of the Earth’s land is used for agriculture? Name three regions that have
high agricultural productivity. 40% of the Earth’s land is used for agriculture. Three regions that have
high agricultural productivity are northern India, Indonesia , and Northern China

5. What percent of the Earth’s forests have been lost? Name one county that appears to have
the most significant deforestation by land area on the map. As much as 50% of the world's forests
have been destroyed or irreparably degraded. Our ancient forests are looted every day to supply cheap
timber and wood products to the world.Brazil in 2020 had the most deforestation, it amounted to about
284kilometers.

6. How has biodiversity come under threat and how much of the world’s land are protected?
Human-caused extinctions pose a threat to biodiversity. Over-exploitation of resources, such as
overfishing and overhunting, is one example. Invasive species have the potential to eradicate native
plants and animals, reduce biodiversity, compete with native organisms for limited resources, and alter
habitats. Only 10% of the world's land surface is protected.

7. On the map of protected lands, find an area or areas near you that are protected and click
on them (they are green or blue in color). Write what the names of the areas. One of the more
protected marine areas near my location is Bantayan Island, which is located west of the northern end of
Cebu Island. Bulabog-Putian in Dingle, Pototan, Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park, Sagay Protected
Landscape/Seascape, Canlaon Natural Park, and Simbalom Natural Park, on the other hand, are the more
protected terrestrial areas near me.

8. For one of the protected areas near you – describe what makes the area unique (you may
have to investigate this using the internet). The Bulabog Putian National Park is a wildlife and
natural park in the towns of Dingle and San Enrique, both in the province of Iloilo. The park is known for
its unique geological formation and is the only limestone mountain formation in Iloilo. The park also has
13 caves with 18 different species of bats. It also has a lake and several springs. The Philippine coucal,
iguanas, monkeys, turtle doves, green imperial pigeons, reptiles, and several species of bats are among
the fauna inhabitants.

9. It’s not all bad! Humans have a lot of control over what happens next. Name at least two
suggestions found in this story map for creating more sustainable cities. In 1990, Saudi Arabia
began using center-pivot irrigation to grow crops in the desert. This type of agriculture "mines"
groundwater at rates that are often much faster than natural processes can replenish it. The Zuiderzee
Works is a man-made dam and dike system, as well as land reclamation and water drainage work,
completed by the Netherlands. Its objectives are to increase the Dutch food supply by developing and
cultivating new agricultural land, as well as to improve water management by creating a freshwater lake
from the former uncontrolled salt water inlet.

10. How is your own city striving for sustainability? Can you find any examples of how your
city and/or state are getting involved in this movement? Try to find 4-5 examples online and
describe them here. The Iloilo City takes a proactive approach to safeguard its air quality by promoting
a sustainable transportation program, a public awareness campaign about the health risks of burning
charcoal and wood, renewable energy (solar and wind) for commercial and residential use, and improved
waste management practices.
TEAM B: D_10_DATO-ON, D_11_DINERO, D_12_DE LA PEÑA
The Anthropocene: Human Impact on Environments
Part 1:

1. Epoch refers to an event or time that is characterized by an event that begins a new period or
progression. A geologic epoch is defined by a specific boundary in the rock strata marked by particular
markers wherein the more distinct and global the marker is, the easier to define the epoch.
2. The Anthropocene Epoch is characterized by the changes in landscapes, ocean and atmospheric
chemistry as well as extinction of species and invasions. The Holocene Epoch starts with the end of
the Ice Age and is characterized by modern animal species and landscapes. Lastly, the Pleistocene
Epoch starts with the beginning of the Ice Age and is characterized by the Ice Age animals such as
saber-toothed tigers and mammoths.
Part 2:

1. Biodiversity - The pace of extinction among species has significantly accelerated which trends
towards mass extinction. As of 2019, due to human activities, 1 million plant and animal species are now
threatened with extinction. If there is change in the ecology of a local area, local extinction may be
suspected. We rely on biodiversity for survival, if this were to continue over the next 100 years, it would
be difficult for humans to survive.

2. Cities - The human population has boomed since the 1960s, going from 3 billion to over 6 billion now.
Signs of overpopulation can be readily seen such as crowded cities and roads as well as the rampant
consumption of natural resources. People should consider how much waste they produce, as well as the
amount of water they consume and the food they eat. Furthermore, we should consider our cities and
how they affect natural wildlife. If the population is to grow more than the earth can handle, there will be
competition for human survival.

3. Mining - Environmental issues can include erosion, formation of sinkholes, loss of biodiversity, and
contamination of soil, groundwater and surface water by chemicals from mining processes.
Contamination resulting from leakage of chemicals can also affect the health of the local population if not
properly controlled. Extreme examples of pollution from mining activities include coal fires, which can last
for years or even decades, so if these were to continue in the next 100 years, massive amounts of
environmental damage may result.

4. Ocean/Overfishing - Overfishing has had a significant negative effect on marine ecosystems,

causing different marine life to suffer as a result of the food chain that these fish sustain. Overexploited
fisheries have increased dramatically since 1950, from 0% in 1950 to over 60% in the 2000s, according
to a graph. When a large amount of a certain species is removed from its habitat the food chain becomes
unbalanced and causes species lower on the food chain to overpopulate- threatening other important
marine life. Given these consequences, if this continues at the current rate for the next 100 years, there
will be no fish to exploit; it is therefore essential to practice sustainable consumption now.
Part 3: Compose a paragraph below that outlines recommendations for what people can do to
reduce the human impacts you analyzed. Identify recommendations for each of the four impacts you
studied. Conduct research online to find these recommendations. Try to find at least two different
sources that list similar recommendations.
1. Biodiversity- People should look at how much of nature is destroyed to make space for human
civilization and infrastructure, this often correlates to how much impact we have on other species. We
can encourage people to support local government initiatives that protect habitat and decrease threats
to biodiversity, use environmentally friendly products, and dispose of hazardous material safely.
2. Cities-Involve local community in local government, reduce air pollution by upgrading energy
use and alternative transport systems, create private-public partnerships to provide services such
as waste disposal and housing, and plant trees and incorporate the care of city green spaces as a
key element in urban planning.
3. Mining-Measures like reducing energy and water consumption, limiting waste production and
minimising land disturbances, preventing pollution on sites (including air, water and soil pollutions)
and ensuring the efforts on closures and reclamations of sites must be carried out to the highest
levels.
4. Ocean/Overfishing-We must be conscious of what we purchase and eat in order to mitigate
the effects of overfishing. Companies will be more hesitant to overfish and practice more
sustainable harvests now that they are more mindful of consumer spending. Implementing a quota
on the amount of fish caught is often thought to be one of the most effective ways to prevent
overfishing.