By

DURGGASHNI A/P SANTHIRAN

4 SAINS 1
PN. SITI PATIMAH

On earth there is no heaven, but there

are pieces of it.

ENDANGERE
D
ECOSYSTEM

INTR ODUCTION
A healthy yet picturesque environment is always a
significant dream to others. However numerous negative
impact from irresponsible human activities has greatly affect
our dream environment. It has not only cause in balance in
environment but also causes various environmental problem
besides endangering the ecosystem. The only way for us and
the future generation to have a sense of peace mind living in
the dream picturesque environment is mainly by planning
development activities with great care which will possibly not
affecting the environment at all.
After all environment is our main home. So the environment
should be preserved starting from now onwards so that the
future generation will be able to feel the environment which
we are experiencing now.

9.1
HUMAN
ECOSYSTEM

ACTIVITIES

THAT

ENDANGER

AN

Human activities often have a widespread impact on

ecosystem. With greater advances in medicine, modern
farming technique and better infrastructure, the worlds
population has grown to over six billion today. Conflicts
therefore arises between fulfilling immediate human needs
and necessity to protect the environment from long-term
damage. Many of the problem are the results of human
activities and human interference in the way ecosystem
functions.

HUMAN
ACTIVITIES

DEFORESTATION

- Soil Erosion
- Land Slides
-Flash flood
-Global Warming
FARMING

-Pollution
-Eutrophication
BURNING FOSSIL FUELS

-Green House Effect

-Global Warming

9.2 THE EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON LIVING THINGS

AND ENVIRONMENT

Air Pollution
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)

Effects:
~Cause respiratory diseases 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)

9.3 THE EFFECTS OF WATER POLLUTION ON LIVING

THINGS AND ENVIRONMENT

Water Pollution
Caused by domestic wastes, industrial wastes, soil erosion
and agriculture waste that are discharged directly into
rivers.

Sources of pollution:
a) Discharge of untreated sewage and domestic waste into
rivers.
b) Discharge of industrial waste.
c) Discharge of agricultural waste.
d) Oil spillage.

Effects:
~Causes death to all life forms in the sea.
~Pollutes the beaches.
~Toxins will accumulate in the tissues of living organisms
~Impair the mental performance of children
~Lead to eutrophication

9.4 THE EFFECTS OF THERMAL POLLUTION ON LIVING

THINGS AND ENVIRONMENT

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:
~ Encourages rapid growth for algae.
~Thermal pollution causes the temperature in a body of
water to rise above the normal value.
~Water temperature can affect the level of dissolved oxygen.
As the temperature of the water increases, oxygen become
less insoluble in water. If the temperature increase persists
over a longer period, this may result in permanent changes in
the species composition of the aquatic ecosystem.

9.5 THE EFFECTS OF NOISE POLLUTION ON LIVING

THINGS AND ENVIRONMENT

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:
~ Prolonged exposure to noise level at or above 80 decibels
can lead to deafness.
~ High level of noise can contribute to the development
and aggravation of stress related problems such as high
blood pressure, coronary disease, ulcers, depression and
headache.
~ Adrenaline is released into the bloodstream. A persons
heartbeat, blood pressure and respiration rate are likely to
increase.
~ Constant exposure to noise can contribute to a
deterioration in health.
9.6 THE CAUSES AND EFFECT OF GLOBAL WARMING

Today, the world is involved in a major experiment, which

studies what happens when they are released into the
atmosphere in greater quantities of carbon dioxide and
other gases. The climate models developed by specialists in
the field estimate that, the global climate will warm by 1, 1
6,400 C during this century.
Cause of global warming
1. Increases of the greenhouse gases especially carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere due to:
(a) Combustion of fossil fuels
(b) Deforestation
(c) Industrial production
2. As the concentration of greenhouse gases rises, more
heat is trapping in the atmosphere and raising the average
temperature on earth. Hence, this phenomenon brings to
global warming.

Effects:

1.

Occurrence of floods

 As the average temperature rises, the polar ice caps and

glaciers melt. This increases the sea level causing low-lying
areas to be flooded.
2.

Climate changes

Global warming leads to changes in wind directions and

distribution of rainfall. As a result, agricultural activities are
affected. Global warming causes weather patterns to
change. This affects the distribution of species which may
lead to the extinction of species in certain region.
3.

Occurrence of droughts

Global warming increases the frequency of droughts. The

land becomes dry and infertile. This leads to a drop yields.
4.

Spread of diseases

With warmer climates, pests and vectors may spread to

new areas. The warmer conditions lead to an expansion of
territories for disease-carrying vectors, resulting an increase
in the outbreak of diseases.

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9.7 THE IMPACT OF OZONE DEPLETATION ON HUMANS

AND ECOSYSTEM
Effects on Human Health
Ozone layer depletion increases the amount of UVB that
reaches the Earths surface. Laboratory and epidemiological
studies demonstrate that UVB causes non-melanoma skin
cancer and plays a major role in malignant melanoma
development. In addition, UVB has been linked to the
development of cataracts, a clouding of the eyes lens.
Effects On Ecosystem
Effects on Plants
UVB radiation affects the physiological and developmental
processes of plants. Despite mechanisms to reduce or
repair these effects and an ability to adapt to increased
levels of UVB, plant growth can be directly affected by UVB
radiation. Indirect changes caused by UVB (such as changes
in plant form, how nutrients are distributed within the plant,
timing of developmental phases and secondary
metabolism) may be equally or sometimes more important
than damaging effects of UVB. These changes can have
important implications for plant competitive balance,
herbivory, plant diseases, and biogeochemical cycles.
Effects on Marine Ecosystems
Phytoplankton form the foundation of aquatic food webs.
Phytoplankton productivity is limited to the euphotic zone,
the upper layer of the water column in which there is
sufficient sunlight to support net productivity. Exposure to
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solar UVB radiation has been shown to affect both

orientation and motility in phytoplankton, resulting in
reduced survival rates for these organisms.
Effects on Biogeochemical Cycles
Increases in UVB radiation could affect terrestrial and
aquatic biogeochemical cycles, thus altering both sources
and sinks of greenhouse and chemically important trace
gases (e.g., carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, carbonyl
sulfide, ozone, and possibly other gases). These potential
changes would contribute to biosphere-atmosphere
feedbacks that mitigate or amplify the atmospheric
concentrations of these gases.

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9.8 THE MEASURES TAKEN IN THE MANAGEMENT OF

DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITES AND THE ECOSYSTEM TO
ENSURE A BALANCE OF NATURE IS MAINTAINED

IMPLEMENTATION OF
LAWS

MEASURES TAKEN

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~ ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
ACT
~NATIONAL FORESTARY ACT

USE OF TECHNOLOGY

MODERN TECHNOLOGY CAN

BE USED TO REDUCE
POLLUTION.
~CATALYTIC CONVERTERS

EDUCATION

INCREASAE AWARENESS.
~3R CONCEPT

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL

INVOLVES USE OF PEST

NATURAL PERDATOR
~FEMALE HOVERFLY AND
APHIDS

USE OF RENEWABLE
ENERGY

ENERGY THAT OCCUS

NATURALLY AND IS
INEXHAUSTIBLE
~SOLAR ENERGY

9.9 WAYS TO REDUCE POLLUTION

Pollution prevention is a major global concern because of its
harmful effects on people's health and the environment.
Because we are all inhabitants on Earth, everyone is a
stakeholder, and every person has something to contribute
to advance effective pollution prevention awareness.
Environmental protection is a natural extension of caring for
ourselves, loving our children, and ensuring a sustainable
future for generations to come.
"If we heal the earth, we heal ourselves."
A List of Things We Can Do
Drive an electric or hybrid car or at least one that uses
unleaded gasoline.
Keep your car in good running condition to avoid emissions.
Choose to walk or ride a bicycle whenever possible.
Never use open fires to dispose of waste, especially
chemicals and plastic.
Adopt the 3 Rs of solid waste management: reduce, reuse,
and recycle.
Use the power supplied abundantly and freely by wind and
sun. Hang your laundry to dry to minimize your use of gas
or electricity and open a window or put on a sweater rather
than turning on the air conditioner or heater.
Use and buy products that are eco-friendly or made with
biodegradable materials. Avoid plastic.
Always bring a bag when you shop.
Plant more trees. They clean the air, provide oxygen, and
beautify your surroundings.

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15

Its our duty to save our mother earth.

One person alone cannot save the planets biodiversity,
but each individuals effort to encourage natures wealth
must not be underestimated.

THANK
YOU
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