Human Impacts

=Human Impacts on Rocky Shore Ecosystems= ===Trampling=== People visit the rock shore often step on rocky shore organisms. Some are protected by touch shells, but many organisms cannot withstand the full weight of a person standing on them. This can be a significant issue in area with a lot of foot-traffic / visitors in summer. ===Pollution=== Waste materials and chemicals can enter water ways and get washed out to shore. Pollutants can poison rocky shore organisms or interfere with their life processes. For instance small particles can clog gills and make it difficult for some organisms to breath under water. ===Habitat Destruction=== In some instances rocky shore habitats are destroyed by the construction wharfs, boat ramps, marinas etc. ===Farming and Developments=== Trees are often cleared from land in order provide pasture for livestock or space for housing and other developments. Wastes from farm animals can leach through the soil and into waterways that end up on our rocky shores. When trees are cleared there are often less root systems to hold the soil together. As a result the land can erode and particles from the soil get washed out to the shore line. This can make the water cloudy and as the particles settle a layer of mud forms that can smother some rocky shore organisms. ===Global Warming=== There is evidence that the use of fossil fuels has resulted in an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. These can have a "green house" effect and may be responsible for slight increases in average global temperatures. Small increases in temperature can have a significant affect on the levels of dissolved oxygen in water. This is need by organisms such as fish to breath. ===Marine Reserves=== Marine reserves are coastal regions that are protected by law from human impacts such as fishing. No living things may be removed from a marine reserve and there may also be other restriction (e.g. boat speeds). This protection enables reserves to return to their 'natural' state.