HUMAN ACTIVITIES THAT

ENDANGER AN ECOSYSTEM

Human activities that threaten the ecosystem:

Human activities often affect the whole ecosystem.
The negative effects of hasty and unplanned development and mismanagement of the
ecosystem result in various environmental problems.
These problems bring about negative effects that are increasingly threatening the economic
resources, health and survival of the ecosystem.

- DEFORESTATION
The rapid destruction of woodlands or removal of trees from forests is known as
deforestation.
Tropical rainforests play important ecological roles:
Oldest ecosystem on earth and house of flora n fauna.
Contain many unique species which provide food, medicine and other biological products.
Regulate the worlds climate by influencing wind, rainfall, humidity and temperature pattern.
Called the carbon sink of the Earth because they absorb vast amount of carbon dioxide
during photosynthesis and release oxygen into the atmosphere.
Serve as water catchment areas

Deforestation results in :
Soil erosion
Flash flood
Landslides
Changes in the recycling of materials
Severe climatic changes
The loss of biodiversity

Deforestation cause soil erosion, landslides and flash flood

soil erosin is the removal and thinning of the soil layer due to physical and climatic process.
The absence of plant root systems makes the soil structure unstable.
When it rain heavily for a long period of time, the top layer of the soil disintegrates easily
and this leads to landslides on steep hillsides.
 The eroded soil is then carried away by moving water and deposited at the bottom of river.
Together with depletion of water catchment areas, cause flash flood during rainy seasons.
Soil erosion causes the land to be depleted of minerals and natural resources, making the land
useless for cultivation.

Deforestation results in the loss of biodiversity

The destruction by human activities:
The removal of the base of numerous food webs.
The loss of habitats for many species of flora and fauna
The extinction of countless species and varieties of plants and animals, many of which have
never been catalogued scientifically. Extinction of flora and fauna species reduces
biodiversity
The destruction of storehouse of genetic diversity on Earth. The Earths biodiversity is a rich
source of food and priceless medicines for mankind

Deforestation affects carbon and nitrogen cycles

The removal of plants in the rainforests disrupts the natural cycle of nutrients.
The level of atmospheric carbon dioxide rises as less carbon dioxide is removed by plants
while the level of atmospheric oxygen drops as less oxygen is released during
photosynthesis.
The recycling of nitrates and other ions is slowed down.
Tree roots bind soil particles together, and the tree canopy reduces the force of rain beating
down on the soil and cause nutrients to be lost through leaching and run-off.

Deforestation cause climates change

Deforestation disrupts normal weather patterns, creating hotter and drier weather and causing
global climate changes
Removal of trees reduces transpiration and rainfall cause the increase in carbon dioxide level
in atmosphere and prevent heat from escaping from atmosphere.
This is known as greenhouse effect and lead to global warming.

- Burning Of Fossil Fuels And Its Effect

Contributes about 75% of carbon dioxide
Cause greenhouse effect and global warming

- Intensive Farming And Its Effect

 Excessive use of land for intensive farming decrease the space and resources available for
other species

TYPE, SOURCES AND EFFECT OF

POLLUTION

1. AIR POLUTION

Caused by the presence of pollutants in the air which are harmful to life and the environment.
Sources Of Pollution:
a) Burning rubbish,forest,solid waste.
b) Factories and industries Burning of fossil fuel
c) Motor Vehicles release harmful gaseous. (CO)
Effect:
- Cause respiratorydisease such as lung cancer.
- Dust that cover the plant will block the stomata.
- Soot and dust will blackens the buildings
- Form haze which is harmful to humans.
- Reduces agricultural productivity. (e.g:photosynthesis)

2. WATER POLLUTION
Caused by domestic wastes,industrial wastes,soil erosin and agriculture waste that are
discharged directly into rivers.
Sources Of Pollution:
a) Discharge of untreated sewage and domestic waste into river.
b) Discharge of industrial waste.
c) Discharge of agricultural waste.
d) Oil spillage.
Effect:
- Causes death to all life forms in the sea.
- Pollutes the beaches.

3. EUTROPHICATION
Occurs when inorganic nutrients and organic material enter a river or a lake.
Effects:
a) Encourages photosynthesizing organisms in the water, particularly algae to grow rapidly.
 b) Light intensity in the water is greatly reduced.
c) Causing the death of aerobic organisms when depletion of oxygen in the water occurs.
d) The use up of oxygen supply by the bacteria will increase the biochemical oxygen deman
4. BIOCHEMICALOXYGEN DEMAN(B.O.D)
The amount of oxygen taken up by the microorganism that decompose organic waste matter
in water.
The use of B.O.D:
a) As a measure of certain types of organic pollutants in water.
b) Measure the level of water pollution.
c) Indicates the presence of a microorganisms which suggest a level of pollution.

5. THERMAL POLLUTION
The release of excessive heat into the environment.
Sources Of Pollution:
a) Discharged of hot water from factories,nuclear reactors and electric power stations.
b) Glass buildings.
Effects:
a) Cause instant death to some species.
b) Distrupt the entire ecosystem.
c) Encourages rapid growth for algae.

6. NOISE POLLUTION
The occurrence of excessive noise in the environment that disturbs the tranquility of life.
Sources Of Pollution:
a) Trains and cars.
b) Construction sites.
c) Machines and equipment in factories.
Effects:
a) Hearing problems. (deafness)
b) High blood pressure.
c) Emotional and mental disturbances.
 THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT

WHAT IS A GREENHOUSE EFFECT?

The greenhouse effect is a process by which radioactive energy leaving a planetary surface is
absorbed by some atmospheric gases, called greenhouse gases. They transfer this energy to other
components of the atmosphere, and it is re-radiated in all directions, including back down
towards the surface. This transfers energy to the surface and lower atmosphere, so the
temperature there is higher than it would be if direct heating by solar radiational were the only
warming mechanism. This mechanism is fundamentally different from that of an actual
greenhouse, which works by isolating warm air inside the structure so that heat is not lost by
convection.

WHO DISCOVERED THE GREEN HOUSE EFFECT?

The greenhouse effect was discovered by Joseph Fourier in 1824,first reliably experimented on
by John Tyndall in 1858, and first reported quantitatively by S vante Arrhenius in 1896.If an
ideal thermally conductive blackbody was the same distance from the Sun as the Earth, it would
have an expected blackbody temperature of 5.3 C. However, since the Earth reflects about 30%
(or 28%) of the incoming sunlight, the planet's actual blackbody temperature is about -18 or -19
C, about 33C below the actual surface temperature of about14 C or 15 C.The mechanism that
produces this difference between the actual temperature and the blackbody temperature is due to
theatmosphere and is known as the greenhouse effect. Global warming, a recent warming of the
Earth's surface and lower atmosphere, is believed to be the result of a strengthening of the
greenhouse effect mostly due to human-produced increases inatmospheric greenhouse gases.
 THE THINNING OF OZONE LAYER

The ozone layer protects the Earth from the ultra violet rays sent down by the sun. If the ozone
layer is depleted by human action,the effects on the planet could be catastrophic. Ozone is
present inthe stratosphere. The stratosphere reaches 30 miles above theEarth, and at the very top
it contains ozone. The suns rays are absorbed by the ozone in the stratosphere and thus do not
reach the Earth. Ozone is a bluish gas that is formed by three atoms of oxygen. The form of
oxygen that humans breathe in consists of two oxygen atoms, 2.When found on the surface of the
planet, ozone is considered a dangerous pollutant and is one substance responsible for producing
the greenhouse effect.The highest regions of the stratosphere contain about 90% of all. In recent
years, the ozone layer has been the subject of much discussion. And rightly so, because the ozone
layer protects both plant and animal life on the planet .The fact that the ozone layer was being
depleted was discovered in themid-1980s. The main cause of this is the release of CFCs
(chlorofluorocarbons).Antarctica was an early victim of ozone destruction. A massive hole in the
ozone layer right above Antarctica now threatens not only that continent, but many others that
could be the victims of Antarctica's melting icecaps. In the future, the ozone problem will have to
be solved so that the protective layer can be conserved.
 THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER
MANAGEMENT OF DEVELOPMENT
ACTIVITIES AND THE ECOSYSTEM

1.Sustainable development is the balance between the demands for resources with the need to
conserve the resources.
2.Human activities that are harmful to the environment have a serious environmental impact.

Implementation of laws
Laws are created to protect the environment.
a)Environmental Quality Act, 1974, 1985
Prevents and controls pollution.
b)National Forestry Act, 1984
Protects and preserves our forests and wildlife.
c)Pesticides Act, 1974
Controls the use of pesticides.
d)Protection of Wildlife Act, 1972
Protects wildlife.
e)Fisheries Act, 1985
Controls marine pollution.

Use of technology
1.Modern technology can be used to reduce pollution and prevent further damage of the
environment.
2.Rubbish can be sorted into recyclable materials and non-recyclable materials. Non-recyclable
materials can be burnt in incinerators where heat produced can be reclaimed and used inheating
or to generate electricity.
3.Catalytic converters are used to reduce the amount of nitrogen oxides emitted and to convert
harmful gases released during combustion if fossil fuels into less harmful products.
4.Unleaded petrol can be used to replace leaded petrol.
5.Filters are fixed on chimneys of factories to reduce the amount of pollutants.
6.Sewage is treated before it discharged into water.
7.Bacteria can be used to breakdown oil which is spilled in the sea.
Education
1.Education is the best way to educate the public on the need to maintain a balanced ecosystem.
In Malaysia, environmental education is one aspect of the National Education Philosophy.
2.Environmental education is carry out to:
Increase the awareness towards the environment and its problem.
Impart the knowledge to society on the environment, problems of the environment as wellas
their duty and responsibility.
3.Formal education is carried out in schools, colleges, universities and otherinstitution.

Preservation and conservation

Preservation involves efforts to protect the ecosystem to maintain its dynamic equilibrium.

1.Conservation involves efforts to return an affected ecosystem back to its dynamic equilibrium.
2.Measure that are taken include:
a)Control of grazing by animals
b)Farming along contours
c)Crop rotation
d)Cultivation on terraces
e)Proper use of fertilizers
f)Effective irrigation and drainage
4.Water sources must be preserved to ensure clean water supply.
5.Mangrove swamps are rich in biodiversity. Mangrove swamps are important in flood
control,nutrient retention, sediment control and prevention of coastal erosion. Efforts must be
madeto preserve and conserve the mangrove swamps.
6.Forests are conserved by adopting selective harvesting (only mature trees are
removed),reforestation, restoration programmes (restore damaged habitats) and establish forest
reserves to ensure that the genetic diversity of flora and fauna is maintained.

Biological control
1.Biological is the use of natural predators to control the population of pest species.
2.Biological control is better than chemical control which uses pesticides
3.The advantage of the use of biological control:
 Cheaper than chemical control
Selectivity, it does not intensify or create new pest problems
The pest is unable (or very slow) to develop a resistance
Does not affect the ecosystem equilibrium
It is a safe and effective method that is environmentally friendly
Renewable energy
1)Renewable energy is the energy flow that occurs naturally in the environment and beharnessed
for the benefit of humans.
2)It is inexhaustible and does not pollute the environment.
3)Renewable energy are:
Solar energy
Wind energy
Geothermic energy
Hydroelectric energy
Biomass energy
Wave energy
4)Non-renewable energy like fossil fuels will be exhausted and cannot be renewed if its us age is
not controlled.
5)Use natural gas and reduce combustion of fossil fuels.
6)Invention of the hybrid and electric cars can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

Activities related to the management of the ecosystem

1)Human activities can cause an imbalanced ecosystem or even destroy animbalanced ecosystem
or even destroy an ecosystem.
2)We should be aware of all the activities which can threaten the ecosystem equilibrium.
3)Many activities can be carried out to encourage the students to care for the ecosystem, such as
build a fish pond, caring and keeping the school garden or housegarden beautiful and clean and
getting people to recycle materials.
4)Campaign such as Environment Day, Recycling Day and Earth Day can also been
carried out.
 STEPS TO MAINTAIN A STABLE
ENVIRONMENT

THERE ARE MANY STEPS CAN BE TAKEN TO MAINTAIN THE BALANCE

OF NATURE SUCH AS:

1. ENFORCEMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS

Environment quality act, 1974
Controls and prevents the pollution of the environment
Controls the type licensing, contentand quality of environment
Tests and examines the samples of substances and gas from industries
Natural forestry act, 1984
- Aims atprotecting and preserving our forests and wildlife
Pesticides act, 1974
- Aims at controlling the use of pesticides
Protection of wildlife act, 1972
- Aims at protecting wildlife animals, birds and plants
Fisheries act, 1985
- Aims at controlling marine pollution

2. USE OF TECHNOLOGY
Use modern equipment and chemicals to control oil spills.
Recycle rubbish.
To lock for methods to do research.
Change organic rubbish tio biogas.
Use less polluting and clean fuels in motor vehicles.
Control and treat the toxic and dangerous waste before disposing.
 3. EDUCATION
To increase the awareness and sensitivity of the individual to the environment.
To provide the basic knowledge of environmental problems and effects of pollution.
To teach the public the necessary skills to protect and maintain a healthy society.
To help the individual to become responsible and sensitive to the environment.

4. PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION OF THE ECOSYSTEM

Force the development companies to replant the forest rees after deforestation.
Remaining mangrove swamps area so that the ecosystem is protected.
Restore the mining and used land for agriculture.
Put effort in rivers cleaning to ensure there is sufficient supply of water in future) Practice of
biological control.
A method of controlling the animal pests by using natural predators instead of using chemical
substances.
Factors to choose the animals predators.

5. EFFICIENT USE OF RENEWABLE AND NON-RENEWABLE ENERGY

Energy plays an important role in our life. Non-renewable energy will be exhausted in one
day. For example, coal,oil and fossil fuels.
Solar energy can be used as a substitute of fuel.
Renewable energy, such as solar energy, wave power and tidal power are environmental
friendly and need to be developed.
 REFERENCES

Biology Form 4 Text Book.

Success (Oxford Fajar) Biology < 2012 edition > reference books.