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i 9.1 Human Activities that Endanger an
Ecosystem
HUMAN ACTIVITIE THAT THREATEN THE ECOSYSTEM.

1. An increase in demand for shelter, food, transport and raw materials due to
the increasing world population brings about negative effect on the
ecosystem.
2. Conflicts arise between fulfilling human needs and the end protect the
ecosystem.
THE IMPACT OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES ON THE ECOSYSTEM.

DEFORESTATION

1. The extensive removal of trees from forests is known as deforestation

2. Vast areas of forests are cleared for agriculture, development and logging
activities.
3. The importance of forests involve:
 Regulating world’ climate
 Functioning as habitat of various flora and fauna
 Housing plants which produce food and pharmaceutical products
 Regulating the amount of Carbon Dioxide and oxygen through
photosynthesis
 Serving as water catchment area
4. Deforestation causes:
 Soil erosion
 Landslides
 Flashfloods
 Loss of biodiversity
 Greenhouse effect
 Global warming
  Climatic changes

(a) Soil erosion, flash floods and landslides

 When it rains for a long period of time during rainy seasons, the top
layer of soil loosens and slides down causing landslides
 Landslides may cause the loss of lives and properties
 The stability of soil is lost due to deforestation
 Clearing of trees causes the loss of tree leaves to protect the soil from
the impact of raindrops ad also causes the loss of tree roots to hold the
soil in place.
 Thus, the soil is exposed directly to the force of the rain. Heavy
rainfall easily washed away the top layer of soil. This leads to soil
erosion.
 The eroded soil is carried away by water and may be deposited in
rivers
 During heavy rains, rainwater flows quickly into rivers because there
is no retention of water by plant roots as well as water catchment
areas.
 Due to silting in the rivers, the water flow is blocked. Thus, water
flows inland and causes flash floods in low areas.
 Flash floods may cause loss of lives and properties.
 Soil erosion also leads to depletion of minerals for the land. The land
cannot be used for cultivation
(b)Extinction of flora and fauna
  Deforestation leads to the loss of habitats for many species of flora
and fauna
 This will cause an increased rate of extinction of plants and animals.
As a result, it reduces biodiversity and the source of food and valuable
medicines for humans.

(c) Greenhouse effect and global warming

 When large scales of trees are destroyed by cutting and burning, it
will reduce rainfall, transpiration rate and the rate of using carbon
dioxide during photosynthesis by plants.
 Clearing and burning of forests also release vast amounts of
greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide during photosynthesis by
plants.
 Clearing and burning of forests also release vast amounts of
greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
 Deforestation is believed to contribute about 20-30% of all carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere for every year.
 Carbon dioxide can prevent heat from escaping from the atmosphere.
Thus, the level of carbon dioxide increases and global temperature
also increases. This leads to greenhouse effect and global warming.
(d)Climatic Changes
 When forests are cleared, the areas become hotter and drier causing
climatic changes and changes the wind pattern.
2. Farming
a. Excessive use of land for farming leads to infertile land.
b. Use of inorganic fertilisers such as nitrates and phosphate leads to
eutrophication
3. Burning Of Fossil Fuel
a. Burning of fossil fuel leads to an increase in the amount of carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere.
b. As a result, this leads to greenhouse effect and global warming.
c. Burning of fossil fuels and open burning cause air pollution.
4. Industrialisation
a. Industrial plants discharge industrial waste and heated waste causing
water pollution and thermal pollution.
b. Toxic gases released by industries contribute as air pollution.
5. Pollution
a. An undesirable change in the chemical, physical or biological
characteristics of the natural environment is known as pollution. The
environment is polluted with harmful substances or pollutants
b. Pollutant is any substance that is present in an excessive amount in the
environment in the as a result of human activities. It has damaging
effects on living organisms
 c. Pollutants may be toxic substances such as pesticides or natural
constituents of the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide. They may
affect the soil, rivers, seas or the atmosphere.
d. There are four main pollution:
 Air Pollution
 Water Pollution
 Thermal Pollution
 Noise Pollution

Air Pollution

1) Air pollution occurs when pollutants such as smoke, dirt, dust and poisonous
gases are released into the air endangering human lives and other living
organisms.
2) Most air pollutants come from burning of fossil fuels from motor vehicles.
3) The sources of air pollutants and the effect of air pollution on living things and
the environment:

Pollutant Sources Effects

Carbon - Incomplete Health
Monoxide combustion of - Combines with haemoglobin to form
(CO) fossil fuel carboxyhaemoglobin which reduces the ability of
-Odourless, - Combustion the blood to transport oxygen.
colourless sources such as - Early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning
and toxic motor vehicle are headache, nausea and fatigue.
gases. exhaust, smoke - Prolonged exposure can lead to brain damage
from fires, and even health.
engine fumes.
Carbon - Combustion Health
dioxide of fossil fuel. - Causes amphysema
(CO2) - Affects respiration
- Odourless, Buildings
colourless - Contributes to acid rain that will damage
gas buildings
Climate
- Contributes to greenhouse effect and global
warming
Nitrogen
monoxide
(NO) and
nitrogen
dioxide
(NO2)
- NO –
Odourless,
colourless gas
- NO2 –
brownish gas