Geological Engineering Department

Faculty of Engineering

Environmental Science
Human Impact on Resources and
Ecosystems
Doni Prakasa Eka Putra

Geological Engineering Department

Faculty of Engineering

Human Impact on Resources and Ecosystems

Geological Engineering Department

Faculty of Engineering

Chapter Outline
Historical Basis of Pollution
Resource Utilization
Mineral Resources

Ecosystem Modification

Forests
Rangelands
Wilderness
Aquatic

Managing Ecosystems for Wildlife

Extinction
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Geological Engineering Department

Faculty of Engineering

Changing Role of Human Impact

As human population grew, and tools became
more advanced, the impact a single human
could have on surroundings increased.
Environmental modifications allowed larger,
dense human populations to arise.
Nearly all earths surface has been affected in
some way by human activity.
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Historical Basis of Pollution

PollutionAnything released into the
environment that affects an organisms survival
and reproduction.
Two primary factors affect the amount of damage
done by pollution:
Size of the population
Level of technological development

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Historical Basis of Pollution

When the human population was small, waste
products were generally biodegradable.
Human-caused pollution is produced when waste is
generated faster than it can be degraded, especially as
people began to congregate and establish cities.
Throughout history, humans fought ecosystem degradation with
technology.
Short-term solutions.

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Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources

Natural ResourcesStructures and processes
humans can use, but not create.
RenewableCan be formed or regenerated by
natural processes.
Soil, Vegetation, Wildlife

Non-RenewableNot replaced by natural processes,

or, rate of replacement is ineffective.
Minerals, Fossil fuels

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Costs Associated With Resource Utilization

EconomicMonetary costs necessary to exploit
the resource.
EnergyEnergy expended exploiting the
resource.
EnvironmentalEnvironmental effect of
resource exploitation (often deferred).

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Utilization and Modification of

Terrestrial Ecosystems
Natural ecosystems have greater biodiversity than
human-managed ecosystems.
Impact of Agriculture on Natural Ecosystems
40% of worlds land surface converted to cropland and
permanent pasture.
Most productive natural ecosystems are the first to be
modified by humans.
Pressures to modify the environment are greatest in areas with
high population density.

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Effect of Temperature on Plant Growth

Manipulative experiments
Yield the strongest evidence But, lots
of things cant be manipulated

Natural or correlational tests

show real-world complexity

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Managing Forest Ecosystems

Because of increasing human population
growth, forested areas are under increasing
pressure to provide wood products and
agricultural land.
Efficient methods of harvest and transportation are
important to reduce economic cost of using forest
resources.

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Economic and Energy Costs

Major Economic Costs of Utilizing Forests:
Purchasing or leasing land.
Paying for equipment and labor.
Building roads

Major Energy Costs of Utilizing Forests:

Harvesting
Transportation

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Environmental Costs
Modern forest management practices involve a
compromise that allows economic exploitation
while maintaining some of the environmental
values of the forest.
Forested areas effectively reduce erosion.
Loss of soil (nutrients) reduces soil fertility.
Road building in forests increases erosion.

Forest areas modify climate, and provide

recreational opportunities as well.

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Environmental Implication of Harvesting

Clear CuttingRemoval of all trees in an area.
Economical but increases erosion, especially on
steep slopes.
Patch-Work Clear CuttingClear cutting in
small, unconnected patches; preserves
biodiversity.
Selective HarvestingSingle-tree harvesting.
Not as economical, but reduces ecosystem
damage.

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Plantation Forestry
Many lumber companies maintain forest plantations
as crops and manage them in the same way farmers
manage crops.
Plant single species, even-aged forests of fast growing
hybrid trees.
Competing species are controlled by fire and insects
controlled by spraying.
Mature rate as low as 20 years (vs. 100).
Quality of lumber reduced.
Low species diversity and wildlife value.

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Special Concerns About Tropical Deforestation

Tropical forests have greater species diversity than

any other ecosystem.
Not easy to regenerate after logging due to poor soil
characteristics.
Deforestation Concerns

Significantly reduces species diversity.

Impacts climate via lowered transpiration.
CO2 trapIncreased global warming.
Human population pressure is greatest in tropics, and still
increasing.

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Managing Rangeland Ecosystems

RangelandsLands too dry to support crops,
but received enough precipitation to support
grasses and drought-resistant shrubs.
Wildlife are usually introduced species.

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Environmental Costs of Utilizing Rangelands

Management techniques and selective grazing
of animals may lead to the elimination of nonpreferred species.
Important to regulate number of livestock on
rangelands, especially in dry areas.
DesertificationProcess of converting arid and
semi-arid land to desert.
Over-grazing
Firewood cutting

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Wilderness and Remote Areas

Many areas in the world have had minimal human
impact.
Some are remote and may have harsh environmental
conditions.

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Managing Aquatic Ecosystems

Aquatic ecosystems divided into:
Freshwater, Brackish, Marine

Environmental costs related to utilizing marine

ecosystems fall into two categories:
Over-fishing
Environmental effects of harvesting
UN estimates 70% of worlds marine fisheries are over-exploited.
Capacity should be reduced by 30%.

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Managing Aquatic Ecosystems

Coastal regions are most productive regions of the
oceans.
Sunlight penetrationshallowwarm
Nutrient deposition from land
Wind/wave action stirs nutrients

Fishing pressure and pollution are greatest in these

areas.
Trawlsnets dragged along bottom.
Large by-catch
Disturbs seafloor

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Environmental Costs Associated with

Utilizing Freshwater Ecosystems
Two primary human alterations:
Water Quality Erosion, toxic run-off
Exotic SpeciesIntroduced species
Humans have great access to freshwater ecosystems.
Many North American freshwater fisheries are primarily managed
for sport fishery.
Fisheries managers must balance:
Sport fisheries
Commercial harvesters

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Aquaculture
Fish farming is becoming increasingly important
as a source of fish production.
Currently, about 60% of all aquaculture production is
from freshwater systems.
Problems
Nutrient overloads
Escape into natural waters
Land conversion

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Managing Ecosystems For Wildlife

Habitat Analysis and Management
Animals have highly specific habitat requirements
that change throughout the year.
Once habitat requirements are understood, steps
can be taken to alter habitat and improve species
success.
Fire to eliminate poor habitats.
Kirtland WarblersJack Pine stands.

Encourage growth of certain plant species.

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Population Assessment and Management

Wildlife management often involves harvesting for
sport and meat.
Hunting regulation is crucial.
Seasons usually occur in the fall to take advantage of
surplus animals.

When populations get too small, artificial

introductions can be implemented.
Native species for augmentation.
Non-native species for empty niches.

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Managing a Wildlife Population

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Predator and Competitor Control

At one time it was believed populations of game
species could be increased if predators were
controlled.
Still used in some situations.
But, in many cases, human modification of habitat
has a greater impact than natural predation.
Many species do require refuges where they are
protected from competing species or human
influence.

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Migratory Waterfowl Management

Migratory birds can travel thousands of kilometers.
North in spring to reproduce.
South in fall to escape cold temperatures.

International agreements necessary to maintain

appropriate habitat.

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Extinction and Loss of Biodiversity

Small, dispersed populations are more prone to
extinction.
Successful breeding more difficult.
Local weather conditions can severely impact
population size.

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Human-Accelerated Extinction
Wherever humans have become the dominant
organisms, extinctions have occurred.

Food
Animals Parts
Pest Status
Habitat Alteration
Most Important Cause
Habitat Fragmentation

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Why Worry About Extinction ?

Useful to Humans:
MedicalLess than 1% of tropical rainforest plant
species have been tested for pharmaceutical use.
Food Resources

EcologicalSpecies play specific roles in

ecosystem function.
EthicalAnimals have a fundamental right to
exist.

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Extinction Prevention
EndangeredVery low populations, could
become extinct in very near future.
ThreatenedStill exist in large numbers in
current range, but are declining in most areas.
Could become extinct if a critical environmental factor
is changed.

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Extinction Prevention
Most extinction prevention interest occurs in
developed countries. Most vulnerable species
already eliminated.
Less-developed and developing countries have
both highest population growth and the majority
of the worlds species.
More concerned with immediate needs of food and
shelter than long-range issues such as species
extinction.

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Thank You For Your Attention

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