ENDANGERED ECOSYSTEM

Name Class

: Aiman bin Abdul Baser : 4 Delta : Puan Airin binti Abu

Name of biology teacher Bakar

LIST OF CONTENT

CONTENTS

PAGES

INTRODUCTION

OBJECTIVE

CONTENT

1.0 IMPACT OF HUMAN ACTIVITES AND UNPLANNED DEVELOPMENT AND MISMANAGEMENT OF ECOSYSTEM

2.0 GREENHOUSE THINNING OF

EFFECT

AND

THE

THE OZONE LAYER

3.0 STEPS TO ENVIRONMENT

MAINTAIN

STABLE

CONCLUSION

INTRODUCTION
First and foremost, I would like to introduce myself. I am Aiman bin Abdul Baser from Form 4 Delta and I am glad indeed to be studying biology which is the most intriguing subject ever. I, now, have completed a folio on the topic Endangered Ecosystem based on the last chapter in the Form 4 Biology syllabus. I have gone through many laughs and sobs throughout the progression in completing this folio. Nevertheless, I felt relief and grateful of having such wonderful companions who are my lovely Biology teacher, herself, Puan Airin binti Abu Bakar, my parents, my helpful friends and my siblings. I would like to thank the mentioned people whom have been very supportive and helpful in giving me extra information, tips and ideas to make this work a satisfying piece. Not to forget, my headmaster, Tuan Haji Sabuddin bin Haji Sani, for giving us, the students, this opportunity to do this folio. Last but not least, thank you once again for all the commitments and supports. May all of you live in a blissful life. For your information, the story of the ecosystem on our planet has never been more crucial and relevant than it is today. In an era of climate change, desertification, sea level rise, acid rain, greenhouse effect, thinning ozone layer and widespread pollution, ecosystem quality is becoming more critical by the minute. The global forces of extraction and expansion are jeopardizing the very substance that supports life on our planet. There is great truth to the adage that we are all downstream from one another. The midwestern United States is downstream from the coal-fired power plants of China. The rising tides inundating the Sundarban Islands of India are downstream from the carbon emissions of billions of cars around the world. And we

are all literally downstream from the melting of the polar ice caps. How we manage our water resources has implications for many of the critical issues we facefrom women as primary water gatherers, subsistence farming, and the health and balance of wildlife systems, to water refugees, the health of children, and the spreading of disease. Unfortunately, these connections are not well understood by the general public, whose choices as individuals and as a collective can contribute to either the degradation or the conservation of our water. Environment is defined as the surroundings in which the organism lives. The environment may be the physical environment, the chemical environment or the biological environment. Thus, the environment has two components abiotic and biotic.

OBJECTIVE
The reason why this paperwork is being done is due to several objectives as stated below:>Evaluating ecosystem human activities that endanger an

>Understanding the greenhouse effect and the thinning of the ozone layer > Realising the importance of proper management of development activities and the ecosystem

IMPACT OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES AND UNPLANNED DEVELOPMENT AND MISMANAGEMENT OF ECOSYSTEM

Human activities made many drawback to the environment. Whether we like them or not, these cons of the human activities have made all of us now leaving in hardship. The impacts can now be clearly seen by looking at our devastating environment conditions. What are the impact? Let us see for ourselves

DEFORESTATION
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The rapid destruction of woodlands or the removal of trees from forest is known as deforestation. The vast areas of forests are being cleared away for extracting timber or fuel wood, agriculture and urban development.

Tropical rainforests have important ecological roles. > Rainforests are the oldest ecosystems on Earth and house almost half of the flora and fauna of the world. > They contain many unique species which provide food, medicine and other resources for humans

> Rainsforests regulate climate by influencing wind, rainfall, humidity and temperature patterns

> Rainsforests are known as the `carbon sink of the Earth because they absorb vast amounts of carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and at the same time release oxygen into the atmosphere > They also serves as water catchment areas. There are many impact of the deforestation:Deforestation causes soil erosion, landslides and flash floods - Without proper development and planning, a land stripped of its vegetation can rapidly succumb to soil erosion. - The absence of plant root system makes the soil structure unstable. When it rains heavily for a long period of time, the top layer of the soil disintegrates easily and this leads to landslides especially on steep hillslides. - The eroded soil is then carried away by moving water and deposited at the bottom of the rivers, which in turn contributes to the sedimentation of the rivers. This together with depletion of water catchment areas, causes flash floods during rainy seasons.

Soil Landslides

erosion

Flash floods Deforestation results in the loss of biodiversity 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 results, it reduces biodiversity and the source of food and valuables medicines for humans.

Javan rhino atrosanguineus

Cosmos

Deforestation causes climate changes - Deforestation disrupts the normal weather patterns, creating hotter, drier weather and causing gobal climate changes.

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

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
- In intensive farming, farmers often use inorganic fertilizers, which contain nitrates and phosphates, to improve crop production. - When use excessively, these highly soluble inorganic nutrients do not remain in the soil for long and are quickly leached out, ending up in surrounding rivers and lakes. - This will lead to eutrophication.

THE EFFECTS OF AN INCREASE IN DOMESTIC WASTE AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE

- The rapidly expanding human population also means an increase in domestic and industrial waste. - Dumping waste material in landfills poses a great danger to living organisms as toxic substances and other pollutants from the dumpsites are easily absorbed into the ground and eventually end up polluting nearby water sources.

POLLUTION
- Pollution can be defined as any undesirable change in the physical, chemical or biological characteristics of the natural environment, brought about when harmful substances or energy are released by human activities. - There are four types of pollution: air, water, thermal and noise pollution .

AIR POLLUTION

Causes of air pollution - Pollutants enter the air from various sources, but burning of fossil fuels contributes the most to air pollutions. - Exhaust fumes from vehicles contain soot (tiny carbon particles), lead ( from cars using unleaded petrol), carbon monoxide oxides of nitrogen and hydrocarbons due to the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. - Burning of fossil fuels in the combustion engines of vehicles and electrical power stations also releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

- Human activities such as open burning cause severe smog and haze. Effect of air pollution Acid rain - Industrial plants and factories also pumps large amount of carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere. - Both oxides of nitrogen and sulphur dioxide can combine with water vapour in the atmosphere to form nitric acid and sulphuric acid respectively. - Then, they fall back to the Earth as acid rain. - Rainwater typically has a pH value of 5.6, due to the presence of dissolved carbon dioxide, which forms carbonic acid. - The pH of acid rain is, however, less than 5.0. WATER POLLUTION

Causes of water pollution - Crude oil spills that cover the water surface reduce water dissolved oxygen and water light intensity.

- Industrial and domestic discharging untreated waste materials that dissolve or suspend in water and deteriorate the water quality. - The run-offs of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides from agricultural activities into lakes and rivers affect the freshwater ecosystems. Effect of water pollution Eutrophication - Eutrophication is the artificial nutrient enrichment of an aquatic system with organic material or inorganic nutrients, causing and excessive growth of aquatic plant life. - Eutrophication can be caused by: > The leaching of inorganic fertilizers, especially nitrates and phosphates, from agricultural lands. > The input of untreated sewage as well as discharge from sewage treatment plants. > Run-offs containing animal wastes from pastures and farmlands into lakes, rivers or ponds. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) - The rapid growth of microorganisms in water leads to the increase in biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). - BOD refers to the amount of dissolved oxygen taken up by microorganisms that decompose organic waste matter in water. - The dissolved oxygen concentration can be used an an indicator of water pollution level. - A high BOD value indicates the presence of a large number of microorganisms and this suggests a high level of pollution.

Industrial wastes - Industrial waste can include heavy metals such as lead and mercury and radioactive waste which also find their way into rivers or lakes. - Illegal dumping of waste matter and effluent from heavy industries is the main source of heavy metal pollution. - Lead can also leak out through lead pipes which are used in plumbing. - Many of these heavy metals are highly toxic, last for along time and can accumulate in living organisms via food chain. - Radioactive waste can cause cancer and leukaemia.

THERMAL POLLUTION

- Water temperature can effect the level of dissolved oxygen.

- When water temperature increases, oxygen becomes less soluble. - Water is used as a cooling agent in many industrial processes and cooling towers of electrical power stations. - The hot water produced is discharged directly into nearby lakes or rivers, leading to thermal pollution. Effect of thermal pollution - Thermal pollution occurs when excess heat, which is released into the environment, harms living organisms and the environment. - The increases of water temperature has an impact on the survival of fishes and other aquatic organisms which can only survive within a certain range of temperatures. - For some species, a sudden increase in temperature can cause instant death. - This has a negative effect on the food chain and may disrupt the entire ecosystem. - For organisms like the algae, an increase in temperature encourages rapid growth which leads to a higher BOD value.

NOISE POLLUTION

Causes of nosie pollution - Noise from cars, motorcycles, aeroplanes, construction sites, agricultural and industrial machinery can be form of pollution. - The noise level of residential area should not be exceed 55 decibels (dB). Effect of noise pollution - According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), prolonged exposure to noise levels at or above 80 dB can cause deafness. - Excessive exposure to noise is considered a health risk because noise can contribute to the development and aggravation of stress related problems such as high blood pressure, coronary disease, ulcers depression and headaches.

GREENHOUSE EFFECT AND THE THINNING OF THE OZONE LAYER

THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT - When sunlight enters the Earths atmosphere, some of its solar radiation is reflected back into space. - As the Earth is warmed, heat in the form of infrared radiation is radiated back into space. - However much of this heat does not escape from the atmosphere, but remains trapped by the greenhouse gases. - At the same time, greenhouse gases also radiate heat in form of infrared radiation back to the earth. - In this respect, greenhouse gases behave a lot like the glass panels of a greenhouse which traps heat and warm the greenhouse, hence the term greenhouse effect. - The greenhouse effect is important natural process. Without it, the Earth would be too cold for the survival of living organisms.

- Carbon dioxide, from coal-fired power stations and vehicle exhausts, is the main greenhouse gas. - Other contributory pollutants include (CFCs), methane, nitrous oxide and ozone. chlorofluorocarbons

- Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide has increased by nearly 30% while the concentration of methane has more than doubled. - Scientists believe that the burning of fossil fuels and other human activities such as deforestation and industrial production are the primary reasons for the increased concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide. - As the concentration of greenhouse rises, the greenhouse effect become more pronounced . - As more heat is trapped in the atmosphere, the Earths average temperature rises. This is known as global warming.

The effects of global warming - The average increase in the Earths temperature could change weather patterns and agricultural output. - This is also convincing evidence from research carried out by scientists that links the melting of the polar ice caps to global warming. - This is turn leads to a corresponding rise in sea levels.

THE THINNING OF THE OZONE LAYER - The ozone layer is a region in the stratosphere, situated between 17 and 25 kilometres above the 25 kilometres above the Earths surface. - The thinning of the ozone layer has been recorded by scientists since the 1970s. - In 1985, it was reported that the stratospheric ozone concentrations over the Antarctica had declined by 40% since 1977. - The atmosphere in this area has very low ozone concentrations, resulting in the formation of an ozone hole. - An ozone hole has now appeared above the Artic as well. - Consequently, ultraviolet radiation has since risen by 7% in a decade in the northen hemisphere and in the southern hemisphere, the increase is 10%. Causes of ozone depletion The destruction of the ozone layer is mainly due to the increasing levels of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in the atmosphere.

- CFCs are a group of chemical compounds that contain chlorine, carbon and fluorine. - These gases are used as coolants in air conditioners and refrigerators, as propellants in aerosol cans and as foaming agents in the making of stryrofoam packing. - Since these chemicals are stable, they can persist in the environment for as long as 75 to 100 years.

The impact of ozone depletion Human health - Skin cancer or melanoma - Eye damage such as cataract - Lowering of bodys immune system Plants - Damage of leaf cells and chlorophyll, reducing photosynthesis. - Decrease in nutrient content and crop yields - Killing of phytoplanktons The environment - Increase in surrounding temperature - Change in wind directions - Climate changes

STEPS TO MAINTAIN A STABLE ENVIRONMENT There are many steps can be taken to maintain the balance of nature such as: Implementation of laws - The government has implanted laws to protect and govern biological resources and the environment. - Many laws and regulations are designed to control pollution which affects the quality of land, air and water. Below are some of the acts. > The Environment Quality Act, 1974, 1989 > Motor Vehicle Noise Regulations, 1987 > Scheduled Wastes Regulations, 1989 Treatment and Disposal Facilities

> Clean Air Regulations, Amendment 2000 > The National Forestry Act, 1984 > The Pesticides Act, 1974 > The Fisheries Act, 1985 > The Protection of Wildlife Act, 1972 Use of technology - Install catalytic converters in vehicle to clean up exhaust emissions and convert harmful gases released to less harmful gases. - Use unleaded petrol to reduce the emissions of leads into environment.

- Treat sewage in sewage treatment plants before its discharged into the environment. - Use microorganisms to clean up the environment. - Develop hydrogen-based fuel-cell vehicle to reduce the burning of fossil fuels. Education on the management of resources - The public must be educated on the concept of the 4R: > RECYCLE means collecting segregating waste according to the types of materials and turning this waste into new products. > REUSE means use things such as old plastics containers and bottles again instead of throwing them away. > REDUCE means cutting down on the use of materials which are non-biodegradable. > RENEW means to use materials such as bottles and plastic containers after they are cleaned. Preservation and conservation of soil, water and the flora and fauna of forests and mangrove - Force the development companies to replant the forest trees after deforestation. - Remaining the mangrove swamps area so that the ecosystem is protected. - Restore the mining and used land for agriculture. - Put effort in rivers cleaning to ensure there is sufficient supply of water in future. The practice of biological control

- Biological control is the use of natural predators to control the population of pest species. - Some examples of biological control are : > The use Khaki chambel (a species of ducks) to control the population of gold snails which feed on paddy stalks. > The use of caterpillars of the species Cactoblastis cactorum to control the prickly pear cactus which spreads quickly and invades farming lands. > The use if the hoverfly larvae to control aphids which feed on crop plants. > The use of owls to control the population of rats in palm plantation. The use of renewable energy - Fossil fuels are a non-renewable energy source. Hence, there is a need to look for alternative sources of energy. - Renewable energy is energy flow that occurs naturally in the environment and can be harnessed for the benefit of humans. - Renewable energy is inexhaustible and does not pollute the environment. - Examples of renewable energy are : > Solar energy which can be converted into electricity and used in heating. > Wind energy which is used to operate windmills to pump water for the irrigation of crops.

> Flowing water which is used to generate hydroelectric power. > Wave energy the upward and downward motion of waves is harnessed to generate energy. > Geothermal energy > Biomass energy which is produced when decomposing organic matter, releases a gas consisting of 50% methane. This biogas released can be collected and used as fuel for various purposes such as heating or generating electricity. > Gasohol is the conversion of energy in biomass. The fermentation of sugar by yeast converts the energy in biomass into ethanol which can be used as fuel. An example of this fuel is gasohol which consists of 80% to 90% unleaded petroleum spirit with 10% to 20% ethanol. Gasohol can be used as fuel in motor vehicles. Plant materials which can be used in the process of fermentation by yeast to produce gasohol are sugar cane, sugar beet and maize. > Palm oil fuel - can be converted into methyl ester which is used as fuel. Biodiesel from crude palm oil is an environment friendly alternative to petroleum diesel. Biodiesel can meet approximately 17% of the countrys energy requirements and thereby reduce the countrys dependence on petroleum. The efficient use of energy

- Reduce the burning of coal, petroleum and other fossil fuels. - Substitute natural gas for coal at power plants. - Improve fuel efficiency in vehicles-use cars that run on energyefficient engines. - Use a cleaner fuel by reducing the content of sulphur in diesel and switching to gas. - Improve energy efficiency in factories. - Use more hybrid cars which combine electric and gasoline engines.

CONCLUSION
Never and before has the Earth been so threatened than it is today. The Earth has survived countless natural disaster such as volcanic eruptions an 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 fulfill the growing needs of an evenincreasing population, mankind destroys natural habitats that house millions of flora and fauna species and the same time pollutes the environment. Human activities often have a widespread impact on ecosystems. With greater advances in medicine, modern farming techniques and better infrastructure, the world s population has grown to over six billions today. Conflicts therefore arise between fulfilling immediate human needs and the necessity to protect the environment from longterm damage. Many of the problems related to the environment

are the results of human activities and human interference in the way ecosystem function. There are some steps that we can practice in order to maintain a stable environment. Some of the steps are biological control, implantation of laws, the use of technology, efficient use of energy, the use of renewable energy, preservation and conservation and lastly education on the management of resources