CONTENTS

TITLE

INTRODUCTIO
N
CONCEPT MAP
HUMAN
ACTIVITIES THAT
ENDANGER AN
ECOSYSTEM
THE
GREENHOUSE
EFFECT AND THE
THINNING OF THE
OZONE LAYER
THE IMPORTANCE

PAGE

1
2
3 - 19

20 - 25

26- 29
1

OF PROPER
MANAGEMENT OF
DEVELOPMENT
ACTIVITIES AND
THE ECOSYSTEM
CONCLUSION

30

Introducti
on
Never before has the Earth been so threatened than it is
today. The Earth has survived countless natural disasters such
as volcanic eruptions and violent earthquakes, but even then,
none of these catastrophes has had such a great impact on the
Earth as the activities carried out by humans themselves.
In their attempt to fulfil the growing needs of an everincreasing population, mankind destroys natural habitats that
house millions of flora and fauna species and at the same time
pollutes the environment. Through this assignment, we shall
see how human activities threaten the ecosystem and what we
can do to minimise the impact of these activities.

Concept
Map
ENDANGERED
ECOSYSTEM

Power
stations

Pollutio
n of human activities,
Impact
unplanned
development
the
Soil
Wate andNoise
mismanagement
of
ecosystems.
erosion
r
Flash
floods

Landslide
s
Eutrophicati
on
Deforestatio
n

Extinctio
n

Greenhouse effect and

the thinning
ofIndustri
the
Therma
Air
l ozone layer. es

Oil spills
C
A
U
S
E
S

Heavy
metals
Untreated
sewage
Agriculture
waste
Domestic
waste

Vehicles

Biological
control

Implementatio
Steps to maintain a
n of laws
stable environment
The use of
technology
Efficient use of
energy
The use of
renewable
energy
Preservation
and
conservation
Education on
the
management of
resources

Human
Activities
that
Endanger
5

an
Ecosyste
m

 Human activities that threaten an ecosystem.

-

Human activities often affect whole ecosystems.

Many of the problems related to the environment are the
results of human activities and human interference with

the ecosystems.
The negative effects of hasty, unplanned development
and the mismanagement of the ecosystems result in
various environmental problems such as air and water
pollution, the greenhouse effect, global warming and the
depletion on natural resources.

Human activities that have undesirable effects on the

Deforestatio
n

Leads
to Soil erosion

Landslides
Flash floods
Climatic
changes
The loss of
biodiversity
The
greenhouse
effect and

Burning of fossil
fuels
Leads
to The

greenhouse
effect
Global warming
Air pollution

Overuse of fertilizers
in intensive farming

Leads
to

Eutrophication
Water pollution

Dumping of
domestic and
industrial waste
Leads
to
Water pollution

The impact of human activities on the

ecosystem.
Deforestation and its effects.
-

The rapid destruction of woodlands or the removal of trees from

forests is known as deforestation.

Every year, vast areas of forests are cleared to make way for

agriculture and development.

Tropical rainforests have important ecological roles.
(a)
Rainforests are the oldest ecosystems on Earth and
(b)

house almost half of the flora and fauna of the world.

They contain many unique species which provide food,
medicine and other biological products. Plants from
the tropical rainforests provide about one quarter of
pharmaceutical products available today. According to
the National Cancer Institute, 70% of the plants useful in
the treatment of cancer can only be found in the tropical

(c)

rainforests.
Rainforests regulate climate by influencing wind,

(d)

rainfall, humidity and temperature patterns.

Rainforests are also called the carbon sink of the
Earth because they absorb vast amounts of carbon
dioxide during photosynthesis and at the same time

(e)

release oxygen into the atmosphere.

They also serve as water catchment areas.

Despite their importance, it has been estimated that more than

50 million acres of rainforests are destroyed or seriously

degraded every year.

In general, deforestation results in
(a) soil erosion
(b)flash floods
(c) landslides
(d)disruption to the carbon and nitrogen cycles
(e) the loss of biodiversity

Deforestation causes soil erosion, landslides and

1. Soil erosion is the removal and thinning
of the soil layer due to physical and
climatic processes, such as high rainfalls.
2. The absence of plant root systems
makes the soil structure unstable.
3. When there are heavy rains for a long
period of time, the top layer of the soil
crumbles and this leads to landslides
on steep hillsides.
4. The eroded soil is then carried by moving
water and deposited at the bottom of
rivers.
5. This, together with the depletion of
water catchment areas, causes flash
floods during rainy seasons.
6. Soil erosions causes the land to be
depleted of minerals and natural
resources, making the land infertile.

Landsli
de

Flash
flood

Deforestation results in the loss of

biodiversity.
Deforestation has a devastating effect on the biodiversity in tropical
rainforests. The destruction of millions of hectares of forests by human
activities means;
(a) The removal of the bases of numerous food webs.
(b) The loss of habitats of many species of flora and fauna
(c) The extinction of countless of species and varieties of plants and
animals. The extinction of flora and fauna species reduces the
biodiversity. Biodiversity can be a rich source of food and priceless
medicines to mankind.

Deforestation disrupts the carbon and

nitrogen cycles
1. The removal of plants in the rainforests disrupts the natural cycle
of nutrients
2. The level of atmospheric carbon dioxide rises as less carbon
dioxide in the air is removed by plants during photosynthesis.
3. The level of atmospheric oxygen drops as less oxygen us released
by plants during photosynthesis.
4. The recycling of nitrates and other ions slows down.
5. Tree roots bind soil particles together, and the tree canopy reduces
the force of rain beating down on the soil. Deforestation, therefore,
causes the loss of nutrients through leaching and run-offs.

10

Deforestation causes climatic

changes

1. Deforestation disrupts the normal weather patterns, creating

hotter, drier weather and causing global climatic changes.
2. The removal of trees reduces transpiration, rainfall and the rate
at which plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
during photosynthesis.
3. This leads to an increase in the carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere. High levels of carbon dioxide prevent heat from
escaping the atmosphere. This known as the greenhouse effect
which is believed to lead to global warming.
4. Forest clearing and burning of wood result in air pollution and
release more carbon dioxide.
5. Burning of trees in the tropics adds about 25% more carbon
dioxide to the atmosphere.

11

 Burning of fossil fuels and its effects

-

The burning of fossil fuels adds about 75% of carbon

dioxide to the atmosphere.
An increase in carbon dioxide level is associated with the
greenhouse effect and global warming.

Intensive farming and it effects

-

Excessive use of land and intensive farming decrease

the space and resources available for other species.
In intensive farming, farmers often use inorganic
fertilizers, which contain nitrates, phosphates and
potassium ions, to improve crop yields.
Since nitrate and ammonium ions are highly soluble, they
do not remain in the soil for long and are quickly leached
into the surrounding rivers and lakes.
This leads to eutrophication. Eutrophication is discussed
later in the section on water pollution.

The effects of an increase in domestic waste and

industrial waste
-

An increase in human population generates an increase in

both domestic and industrial waste.
The dumping of waste in landfills poses a great danger to
living organism as toxic substances and other pollutants
from the dumpsites leak into the ground and eventually
pollutes the nearby water sources.

12

Pollution

13

Pollution can be defined as any desirable change in

the physical, chemical or biological characteristics of
the natural environment. It is the result of harmful
substances or energy released through human
activities.

There are four type of pollution: air, water, thermal

and noise pollution.

Air pollution
- Burning of fossil fuels is the main source of air pollution.
- When fossil fuels are burnt, the elements in the fuels
oxidised, forming various air pollutants.
- These include carbon dioxide (CO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2),
oxides of nitrogen (NO2 and NO) and fine particulate
matter.

Pollutants
Carbon
monoxide (CO)

Colourless,
odourless
gas

Sulphur
dioxide (SO2)

Pungent,
colourless
gas
Sulphur
dioxide is
formed when
sulphuric
compounds

Sources

Effects

Incomplete
combustion of
fossil fuels
The exhausts of
vehicles
factories

Health:
Combines readily
with haemoglobin
and affects the
transport of oxygen
to body cells
Impairs alertness,
causes fatigue and
headaches
Health:
Irritates eyes
Damages respiratory
passages
Causes bronchitis
Causes wheezing, a
shortness of breath
and coughing
Causes asthmatic
attacks

Combustion of
fossil fuels,
particularly in
hear and power
generation
facilities.
Volcanic gases
Large industrial
boilers
Factories

Solutions

Use low
sulphur
content fuels
Clean up
emissions from
power stations
and factories
with scrubbers

14

react with
oxygen
during
combustion.

Oxides of
nitrogen

Nitrogen
monoxide
Nitrogen
dioxide

Lead (Pb)
Lead
compounds are

Vehicle exhausts
Action of bacteria
on fertilizers
Combustion of
fossil fuels
Factories

Combustion of
fossil fuels
Vehicle

Climate:
Combines with
rainwater to form
acid rain
Agriculture:
Contributes to acid
rain which damages
photosynthetic
tissues
Acid rain lowers pH
of soil, rivers and
lakes
Buildings:
Acid rain corrodes
iron, limestone and
stonework, and
destroys buildings
Health:
Irritate lungs, nose,
throat and eyes
Cause respiratory
infections
Cause bronchitis
Climate:
Dissolves in
rainwater to form
acid rain
Agriculture:
Contributes to acid
rain which lowers
pH of soil, making it
unsuitable for
cultivation of crops
Damages leaves
and roots
Buildings:
Acid rain corrodes
metal and destroys
stonework on
buildings
Health:
Retards metal
development and

Clean up
emissions from
car exhausts by
installing
catalytic
converters to
turn oxides of
nitrogen into
harmless nitrogen
gas.

Use unleaded
petrol

15

added to petrol
to prevent the
inefficient
burning of the
petrolair
mixture

exhausts fumes

Carbon dioxide Open burning

Combustion of
(CO2)
An acidic,
colourless and
odourless gas

fossil fuels

damages the liver

Can result in coma
or death

Health:
Affects respiration
Climate:
Leads to
greenhouse effect
and global
warming
Results in an
increase in the
atmospheric
temperature
Climatic changes

Reduce the use of

fossil fuels.

16

Fine
particulate
matter

A complex
mixture of
very fine
liquid
droplets or
solid
particles in
the air, such
as dust,
smoke and
exhaust
fumes.
Smoke
contains tiny
carbon
particles
called soot.
Haze is
formed when
smoke, dirt
and
particulate
matter
combine with
water vapour
in the
atmosphere.
When there
is no wind,
smoke may
be trapped
by fog to
form smog.

Incomplete
combustion of
fossil fuels, for
example,
bonfires, open
burning, the
burning of oil
wells and the
burning of dried
paddy stalks.
Motorised
vehicles
(exhaust fumes)
Quarries,
sawmills and
asbestos
factories

Health:
Irritate the eyes,
nose and lungs
Damage the
respiratory passages
and lungs
Haze can cause
conjuctivities, sore
throats, influenza,
asthma and lead to
bronchitis.
Dust from quarries,
sawmills and
asbestos factories
can cause lung
diseases.
Haze leads to
reduce visibility.
Agriculture:
Smoke particles
(soot) deposit on
leaves and block
stomata. This
prevents gaseous
exchange.
Both lower the
photosynthetic rate
of plants which
subsequently
reduces crop
yields.
Climate:
Contribute to the
formation of haze
and smog.
Smoke and haze can
reduce visibility.
Buildings:
Soot darkens
buildings

More efficient
burning of
fuels in welldesigned
furnaces.
Stop open
burning

17

 Acid rain
- Causes of acid rain
(a)
Combustion of fossil fuels (coal, air and gas) in
power station, factories, domestic boilers and internal
combustion engines releases large quantities of sulphur
dioxide (SO2) and oxides of nitrogen (NO and NO2)
(b)
Sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen combine
with water vapour in the atmosphere to form sulphuric
acid and nitric acid respectively. Then they fall to Earth
as acid rain.
- Causes of acid rain
(a)
Agriculture:
The soil becomes acidic and unsuitable for the
cultivation of crops
Acid rain causes the leaching of minerals such
as potassium, calcium and magnesium.
Photosynthetic tissues are destroyed.
(b)
Aquatic ecosystem:
Acid rain causes insoluble aluminium ions to
accumulate in lakes and rivers. The concentration
of aluminium ions eventually reaches a toxic level
which can kill aquatic organisms such as fish and
invertebrates.
Increased acidity in the aquatic ecosystems also
kills phytoplankton which changes the food
chain.
(c)
Health:
Acidic soil releases the ions of certain heavy
metals such as cadmium, lead and mercury which
may contaminate the supply of drinking water.
(d)
Buildings:

Metal railings and bridges corrode.

Limestone, stonework and marble monuments
are eroded due to chemical weathering.
- Acid rain can be reduced by
(a)
Cleaning up emissions from power stations
and industrial plants with scrubbers. This process
involves the spraying of water to trap pollutants.
(b)
Cleaning up emissions from vehicle exhausts
through the use of catalytic converters. The
18

pollutants react with one another in the catalytic

converters to produce less harmful products.

19

 Water pollution
- Water sources are the most easily polluted as they are
most affected by human activities.
- Industrial, domestic and agricultural activities produce
waste which pollutes water.
Sources Pollutants
Industri Heavy
metals
al
such as
factorie
mercury,
s

Agricult
ure

Livestoc
k
farming

zinc and
lead
Radioacti
ve waste
Phosphate
and
nitrate in
fertilisers
Herbicides
and
pesticides

Animal
faeces
contains
bacteria
Domesti Nonbiodegra
c
dable
sewage
materials
such as
plastic,
glass and
aluminium

Effects
Most of them are toxic
May cause cancer and leukaemia if they
accumulate in the human body
The pollutants can be passed on through
food chains

Eutrophication is the enrichment of

nutrients in the sources of water that
promotes the growth of algae on the
surface of the water and thus prevents
sunlight from entering the water.
Submerged plants will die and will be
decomposed by bacteria causing the
oxygen in the water to decrease.
Consequently, the BOD increases and
aquatic organisms will die.
Pesticides are toxic and are passed on
through the food chains to humans.
Cause diseases such as typhoid fever,
cholera and skin diseases

Blocks the flow of water and causes

stagnant water
Becomes breeding grounds for
mosquitoes and causes the spread of
diseases such as dengue fever and
malaria

20

Ship
tank

Oil spill

Causes the death of sea birds and fish

Blocks the exchange of respiratory gases

21

 Eutrophication
- The process and consequences of eutrophication

Draining the excess nutrients into ponds,

lakes or river encourages the rapid growth
photosynthesizing organisms, especially
algae. This results in a population explosion
known as an algal bloom.
The excessive growth of algae restricts
the penetration of light into the water. As a
result, the photosynthesis of other aquatic
plants is greatly reduced and this further
decreases the supply of oxygen in the
water.
The algae grow faster than their consumers.
As a result, most of the algae die without
As the photosynthetic organisms die and
organic material accumulates at the bottom
of the lake, decomposing microorganisms,
especially aerobic bacteria, grow rapidly
and use up oxygen in the deeper waters at
a fast rate.
The aerobic bacteria use up oxygen faster
than it can be replenished. An increase in
the biochemical oxygen demand (D.O.B)
causes the oxygen levels to decrease
The low level of oxygen concentration kills
larger aerobic aquatic organisms.
Organisms that require high oxygen levels
will not survive.
In extreme cases, if the oxygen level
continues to drop and the water becomes
completely deoxygenated, aerobic bacteria
will grow and release toxic gases, causing
the death of many aquatic organisms,
During the growth of algae, certain bluegreen bacteria also produce toxins that may
cause the death of fish.
At high B.O.D levels, organisms that are
more tolerant of lower concentrations of
dissolved oxygen may appear and multiply.
22

 Thermal pollution
- Thermal pollution occurs due to excessive loss of heat to
the environment
Effects of thermal
Causes of thermal

1. Hot water is discharged

into nearby lakes and
rivers from the
effluents of industrial
processes and the
cooling towers of
electrical power stations
which use water as a
cooling agent.
2. The excess heat that is
released into the
environment leads to
thermal pollution.
3. Thermal pollution
causes the temperature
in a body of water to
rise above the normal
value. The increase in
temperature can be
between 5C and 10C.

1. Water temperature can

affect the level of dissolved
oxygen. When the
temperature of water
increases, oxygen
becomes less soluble in
water.
2. (a) For some species, a
sudden increase in
temperature can lead to
instant death because
many aquatic species can
only survive within a
certain range of
temperature.
(b) The death of these
species may have a
negative effect on the food
chain, causing the entire
ecosystem to collapse.
3. If the temperature
increases continues for a long
period of time this may result
in permanent changes in the
Ways to prevent thermal pollution

Control the amount of hot water

discharged from industrial plants and
power stations.

23

 Noise pollution
- Noise pollution is caused by motor vehicles, agricultural
machinery, industrial machinery and work at construction
sites
- Continuous exposure to loud sounds and more than 80
decibles (dB) in the long term can cause deafness
- Extreme noise can also cause stress related problems such
as high blood pressure, heart attacks, depression and
headaches.

24

THE
GREENHOU
SE EFFECT
AND THE
THINNING
25

OF OZONE
LAYER

26

The greenhouse effect.

- The greenhouse effect is an effect in the
atmosphere as a result of the presence of certain
gases, called the greenhouse gases.
- Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are similar to the
glass panes of a greenhouse which trap the heat and
warm the greenhouse.
- Carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), methane,
nitrous oxide, low level ozone and water vapour make
up the greenhouse gases.

27

- Scientists believe that the combustion of fossil

fuels and other human activities such as increased
deforestation and industrial production are the
primary reasons for the increased concentrations of
atmospheric carbon dioxide.
- As the concentration of greenhouse gases rises,
trapping more heat in the atmosphere and raising the
average temperature on Earth.
- This overall rise in the average temperature of the
atmosphere is known as global warming.
- Over the last 40 years, the average temperature on
Earth has increased by about 0.2-0.3C.
- In Malaysia, temperatures have been rising at 0.18 C
every decade.

- Without emission control policies, it is projected that

carbon dioxide concentrations will be 30% - 150%
higher than the present level. The average
temperature on Earth may rise between 1.5C and
4.5C by 2100.

28

THE
THINNIN
G
29

OF
OZONE
LAYER

30

The ozone layer is a region in the stratosphere, between

20 and 25 kilometers above the surface of the Earth
- The ozone layer contains high concentrations of ozone
molecules (O3) that absorb ultraviolet (UV) radiation and
shield organisms from its damaging effects

The ozone layer filters out UV

radiation

A satellite image of the ozone holes over the Antarctica. The

dark region in the image is actually an ozone hole.

31

- The thinning of the ozone layer has been recorded by

-

scientists since the 1970s.

In 1985, it was reported tjat the stratos[heric ozone over
the Antartica had declined by 40% since 1977.
The atmosphere in this area has very low ozone
concentrations, resulting in the formatin of an ozone hole.
An ozone hole has now appear above the Arctic as well.
Consequently, UV radiation has risen by 7% per decade in
the northern hemisphere and by 10% per decade in the
southern hemisphere.
This later of ozone shields us from excessive ultraviolet
radiation from the sun.

32

THE
IMPORTANC
E OF
PROPER
MANAGEME
NT OF
33

DEVELOPME
NT
ACTIVITIES
AND THE
ECOSYSTEM

34

The need for development and the effects of an

increasing population on the ecosystem.
- As the population of the world increases, so do the
needs of this population.
- The need for more food supplies, homes, education,
and medicine, water, and transport systems has led
deforestation, the burning of fossil fuels, the building
of more dams and reservoirs, and the production of
more domestic and industrial
- The development projects have led to frequent human
interference with the balance of nature.
- The negative effects of unplanned development are
various environmental problems.
- In order to reduce the negative effects of
developments, every economic activity or
development project must be balanced by efforts to
manage the environment in a sustainable manner.

35

Measures taken in the management of

development activities.
Implementation of laws
(a) The Malaysian government has implemented acts
and laws to protect the quality of the environment.
(b) Examples: The Environmental Quality Act, 1974,
1985 (amendment) and National Forestry Act, 1984.
(c)Regulation for disposal of crude palm oil waste in
water (Crude Palm Oil Regulations, 1977)
(d) Regulation for industrial and domestic
waste disposal(Sewage and Industrial Effluents
Regulations, 1979)

Use of technology
(a)
Use Biotechnology, special bacteria can be
produced to break down the oil layer from an oil
spill in the sea.
(b)
Exhaust gases are passed through catalytic
converters to reduce the amount of carbon
monoxide and oxides of nitrogen emitted from the
exhaust pipes.
(c)
Filters are fixed on chimneys to reduce the
release of toxic gases.
(d)
Unleaded petrol, natural gas and alcohol
can be used to replace leaded petrol for vehicles.
(e)
Treat sewage in sewage treatment plants and
treat toxic waste from factories before it is
discharged so as to reduce water pollution.
(f)Organic waste from agriculture can be processed
into methane for fuel.

Education on the management of resources

The public must be educated on the importance of
protecting and caring for the environment through
the mass media and various environment
campaigns.
The public must be educated on the concept of
the 4Rs. The 4Rs stand for recycle, reuse, reduce,
renew.
(a)
R e c y c l e collecting and segregating waste
materials according to their types and turning these
waste materials into new products.
36

(b)
Reuse things such as old plastics, containers,
and bottles instead of throwing them away.
(c)
Reduce the use of materials.
(d)
Renew the use of materials such as
bottles and plastic containers after they are clean

Preservation and conservation of the soil, water,

flora and fauna of forests and mangrove swamps.
(a) Conservation and preservation of land will decrease
leaching and soil erosion.
(b) Practice crop rotation, planting, of cover crops, controlled
grazing, contour ploughing, terracing, use of synthetic and
natural fertilizers to fertilize the soil and practice strip
cultivation.
(c)Water sources must be preserved and not use as dumping
sites for domestic and toxic waste which can pollute the
water.
(d) Natural habitats will perish; animals and plants will be
endangered when there is no control on human activities
such as deforestation for development, agriculture and
industry.
(e) Replanting programs ensure that the trees which have
been cut down by logging activities are replaced with new
trees so that the forest will continue to productive and we
able to support lives.
(f) Minimize damage to the environment when building an
infrastructure.
(g) Laws should be implemented to punish the people
involved in illegal logging activities.
(h) Clearing of mangrove swamps for timber and agriculture
robs the flora and fauna of their habitats. Effort must be
made to conserve these mangrove swamps to maintain
ecological balance.

The practice of biological control.

(a)
Biological control is an alternative method of controlling
pests. It involves the use of natural predators to reduce the
population of pests.

37

(b)
CONCLU
SION
It is effective and will not pollute the

environment

Human activities often have a widespread impact on

ecosystems. With greater advances in medicine, modern
farming techniques and better infrastructure, the worlds
population has grown to over six billion today. Conflicts
therefore arise between fulfilling immediate human needs and
the necessity to protect the environment from long-term
damage.
It is obvious that we cannot continue to pollute the Earth
without facing consequences. Our demands for resources have
to be balance with the need to sustain the resources
themselves. A small effort on our part will go a long way to
create a cleaner and healthier living environment. Hopefully,
we will all soon realize that the sooner we act, the longer the
Earth will live.

38