HABITAT DESTRUCTION Causes of habitat destruction include: + natural disasters + pollution + development (structural) + war + man-made disasters (oil spills) + deforestation. Many of the effects of humans on their environment are harmfal. These effects include: + the degradation of soil and atmosphere that accompany deforestation + the effect on animal populations of excessive use of pesticides to maintain agricultural production. 4 Figure 215 Forest clearance forindust'y, ‘The reasons for the destruction of natural woodland and forest are various, but include: + removal of valuable timber for sale as a realisable asset, to meet the cost of imports such as oil + freeing land for alternative use, such as rearing livestock, arable cropping or planting fast- growing species such as conifers, eucalyptus or rubber trees + clearing land for roads, housing, industrial estates or smallholdings + destruction of trees as a consequence of atmospheric pollution (acid rain). Deforestation is defined as harvesting trees for commercial and other uses and burning forest to convert lands for agricultural purposes. Deforestation is a problem because: + it affects the composition of the atmosphere, with possible unfavourable consequences for the climate + it leads to soil erosion and increases the rate of siltation and sedimentation of waterways + the removal of vast areas of the forest destroys the habitats of numerous species of animals and plants. Consequently, these are now in decline and even, in many cases, in danger of extinction The overall outcome is that deforestation threatens to reduce genetic biodiversity Such destruction of habitats could also be a great loss to the pharmaceutical industry, because ‘many plants and animals with as yet undiscovered medical potential could be destroyed. Mitigation measures + Educate people about the effects of deforestatior and how it can affect them. + Enforce laws that prohibit the destruction of large areas of natural forest. POLLUTION Pollution is the process by which something becomes impure, or dirty. It is often used to describe the introduction of harmful substances into the environment by humans. In general terms, any factor that has a harmful effect on living things or their environment is called a pollutant. Sources of pollution include: + liter, dropped on the ground as unwanted garbage ~ some may rot down but much will not + pesticides used on farmland, killing ora and fauna + contaminants that get into the water supply, spreading disease and damaging health + industrial waste products that may be released as ef uent into rivers, or gases into the atmosphere + nuclear waste, including radiation, that can cause mutation and disease. Litter pollution is not just unsightly. Animals, birds and fish may try to eat discarded plastics or be injured by sharp objects that have been thrown away. Pesticides do not just kill the organisms they are intended for, they can kill indiscriminately. Some may seep through the soil to the water table or run off the land into streams and rivers, eventually getting into the water supply used by humans. Industrial waste can cover otherwise useful land. It can be discharged into streams, rivers and seas, causing untold damage to plants and animals. CHAPTER 2 CARIBSEAN PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT 67Figee 2.16 Tyre dump —Trnidad released into the atmosphere are carried by ‘wind and can dissolve in atmospheric water d eventually fall as acid rain, many kilometres n where they started out. consequences of pollution include the enhouse effect and global warming. id rain pollutants involved in acid rain are sulphur oxide, oxides of nitrogen, ammonia, ozone and ious volatile organic vapours given off from evrol stations, oil refineries and chemical works d by many industrial and household solvents. ost atmospheric pollutants come from fossil fuels; virtually all our common atmospheric pollutants come from the burning of fossil fuels. for power energy, manufacturing and transport When sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide and oxides of nitrogen are dissolved in water, a weak acid is formed, Conifers killed by acid rain 6 ‘Some of the effects of acid rain are the decrease of pH in ponds, lakes and even in the seas. This can kill fish and many aquatic organisms. In addition to this, it destroys buildings, statues and other ‘monuments by corrosion. Acid rain also kills trees and increases the acidity of soil, which kills plants and soil dwelling animals. Nuclear waste and radiation Nuclear wastes are unstable radioactive materials that are created by nuclear technology including nuclear power plants, nuclear weapons programmes and medical and industrial research applications. Exposure to nuclear radiation is linked to serious health problems, including cancer. In addition to the danger from direct exposure to nuclear radiation, radioactive materials can also enter ecological food chains. One of the pathways by which radiation affects people is the ingestion of crops or animals that have been contaminated by radioactive materials. Radiation can also affect people through the inhalation of contaminated dust. Mitigation measures Pollution —+ Impact + Prevention + Educate people about the effects of pollution oon the environment and how it can affect them, + Enforce laws that control pollution. INTRODUCTION OF EXOTIC SPECIES A species introduced into a new geographic area is called an exotic species. ‘The human introduction of exotic species has had mixed results. The major foods of the world come from only a few species, such as wheat, potatoes, poultry and cattle. These species have been introduced by people into many new environments because of their useful characteristics. Cats and dogs have been intentionally taken into new habitats by their owners as pets, but other species such as rats have been introduced by accident. Exotic plant species can become pests by altering the physical environment or food chains of native habitats. There are many benefits of introducing exotic species to new environments, but there are pitfalls as well# Figure 2.16 7) 3p ~ Trinidad Gases released into the atmosphere are carried by the wind and can dissolve in atmospheric water and eventually fall as acid rain, many kilometres from where they started out. Other consequences of pollution include the greenhouse effect and global warming, Acid rain ‘The pollutants involved in acid rain are sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, ammonia, ozone and various volatile organic vapours given off from petrol stations, oil refineries and chemical works and by many industrial and household solvents. ‘Most atmospheric pollutants come from fossil fuels; virtually all our common atmospheric pollutants come from the burning of fossil fuels for power energy, manufacturing and transport. ‘When sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide and oxides of nitrogen are dissolved in water, a weak acid is formed. 8 Some of the effects of acid rain are the decrease of pH in ponds, lakes and even in the seas. This can Kill fish and many aquatic organisms. In addition to this, it destroys buildings, statues and other monuments by corrosion. Acid rain also kills trees and increases the acidity of soil, which kills plants and soil dwelling animals Nuclear waste and radiation Nuclear wastes are unstable radioactive ‘materials that are created by nuclear technology including nuclear power plants, nuclear weapons programmes and medical and industrial research applications Exposure to nuclear radiation is linked to serious health problems, including cancer. In addition to the danger from direct exposure to nuclear radiation, radioactive materials can also enter ecological food chains. One of the pathways by which radiation affects people is the ingestion of crops or animals that have been contaminated by radioactive materials Radiation can also affect people through the inhalation of contaminated dust. Mitigation measures Pollution + Impact — Prevention + Educate people about the effects of pollution on the environment and how it can affect them. + Enforce laws that control pollution. INTRODUCTION OF EXOTIC SPECIES A species introduced into a new geographic area is called an exotic species. The human introduction of exotic species has had mixed results. The major foods of the world come from only a few species, such as wheat, potatoes, poultry and cattle, These species have been introduced by people into many new environments because of their characteristics. Cats and dogs have been intentionally taken into new habitats by their owners as pets, but other species such as rats have been introduced by accident. Exotic plant species can become pests by altering the physical environment or food chains of native habitats There are many benefits of introducing exotic species to new environments, but there are pitfalls as well