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CONTENT Introduction Objective Human Activities That Endanger An Ecosystem i. Causes ii. Source Greenhouse Effect And The Thinning Of The Ozone Layer Steps To Maintain A Stable Environment Conclusion References

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I , Muhammad Amin Bin Rosnan from 4 Alfa would like to thank those who have been indirectly or directly involved in the making of this folio titled ENDANGERED ECOSYSTEM. Ministry Of Educations effort in organizing the making of this folio is highly appreciated in a way of increasing students understanding in biology. Hence, not only increasing students level of understanding, but also increasing the value of studying biology as it is related to our living. By doing this folio, it does not only increase my understanding towards biology, also it makes me grow enthusiastic towards the intriguing subject, biology. I have now completed a paperwork on the topic ENDANGERED ECOSYSTEM based on the last chapter in the form 4 syllabus. Nevertheless, I felt relief and grateful upon having such fabulous companion and references who were my biology teacher Madam Airin Binti Abu Bakar, my parents, helpful friends also siblings. I was really thankful to those who have helped me out,being supportive yet helpful especially in providing extra information on the topic which is given to in the making of this folio. Without their help surely I will not be able to make this folio as a satisfying piece. Not to forget to my headmaster Tuan Haji Sabuddin Bin Haji Sani for giving the students the opportunity to make this folio. Last but not least, thank you once again to those who has helped directly or indirectly in the making of the folio.

THE REASON FOR THE PAPERWORK IS BEING DONE IS DUE TO SEVERAL OBJECTIVES AS STATED BELOW :

To evaluating human activities that endanger an ecosystem.

To understanding the greenhouse effect and the thinning of the ozone layer.

To realizing the importance of proper management of development activities and the ecosystem.

To instill awareness among human about the importance of the preservation and the conservation of the ecosystem.

To deduce the time for the depletion and the destruction of the environment due to the environmental problems caused by human beings.

Human activities that threaten the ecosystem

The worlds population might reach to 10 billion in the next fifty years. Hence, when there are increments in the number of the worlds population, it generally means that there is an increasing demand for shelter, food, medicine, transport and raw materials. Today, due to expectation of modern living and industrial revolution, the world has to confront the destruction of forests tobuild more houses, to being use as plantation areas and to buildroads just to fulfill humans needs. Unplanned developments and mismanagement of ecosystem give rise to vast amounts of environmental crisis. Among those environmental problems are greenhouse effect, global warming,pollution, soil erosion, landslide, flashflood and ozone depletion. The human activities that we are talking about are like agriculture, burning or combustion, industrialisation and last but not least, deforestation.

Human activities made many drawbacks to the environment. Whether we like them or not, these cons of the human activities have made all of us now leaving in a hardship. The impacts can now be clearly seen by looking at our devastating environment conditions.

Large areas of forests are cleared for extracting timber or fuel wood, agriculture needs, and for the sake of urbanisation. The impacts are enormous and outrageous. Let see what are the drawbacks of deforestation: 1. Deforestation causes soil erosion, landslides and flash floods Without proper development and planning, a land stripped of its vegetation is subject to soil erosion. Soil erosion is the removal and thinning oh the soil layer due to physical and climatic processes, such as high rainfalls. The absense of plant systems makes the soil structure unstable. 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. The eroded soil is then carried by moving water and deposited at the bottom of rivers. This, together with depletion of water catchment areas, causes flash floods during the rainy seasons. Soil erosion caused the land to be depleted of minerals and natural resources, making the land infertile.

Landslides
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Flash flood

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

3. Deforestation causes climatic changes

Deforestation disrupts the normal weather patterns, creating hotter, drier weather and causing global climatic 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.

 Excessive use of land for intensive farming decreases the space and resources available for other species. In intensive farming, farmers often use inorganic fertilisers, which contain nitrates, phosphates and potassium ions, to improve crop yields. Since nitrate and ammonium ions are highly soluble, the do not remain in the soil for long and are quickly leached into the surrounding rivers and lakes. This leads to eutrophication.

Intensive farming

 The burning of fossil fuels adds about 75% of carbon dioxide tothe atmosphere. An increase in carbon dioxide levels is associated with the greenhouse effect and global warming.

Smoke from vehicle

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 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 organisms as toxic subtances and other pollutants from the dumpsites leak into the ground and eventually pollute the nearby water sources.

Factory

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Pollution can be defined as any undesirable change in the environment due to the release of harmful substances following undesirable human activities. There are four types of pollution, namely:

Air pollution Water pollution Thermal pollution Noise pollution

Air Pollution
Air pollution is the change in the composition of air due to the presence of pollutants (gases or particles) in high concentrations that can be harmful to life as well as to the environment.

Air pollution from open burning

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Sources of Air Pollution There are various sources of air pollution. These include: Motor vehicles Industries Open burning

Motor vehicles use fossil fuel which emits carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, dust, etc. Industries also use fossil fuel as their source of energy. Open burning produces a great amount of smoke, dust and carbon dioxide. This in turn can cause hazes and affect visibility and human health. Effects of Air Pollution on Human Health Air pollution is detrimental to human health. The continuous inhaling of polluted air can cause various ailments such as bronchitis, emphysema and cancer of the lungs and silicosis. It also affects the eyes, causing them to become irritated and leading to conjunctivitis and other problems.

People wearing mask

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Effects of Air Pollution on Buildings Air pollution also reacts with the structural components of buildings such as the brick works, paint and the metal components.

Corrode building Effects of Air Pollution on Plants Air pollution also damages plants by oxidising the cellular components and enzymes of the plants. The air pollution causes the leaves to turn yellow. This process is known as chlorosis (a reduction in the amount of chlorophyll). Prolonged exposure to air pollution causes the plants to weaken, be infected by diseases and eventually, the plants die.

Dying tree
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Effects of Air Pollution on the Climate There are various effects of air pollution on the climate such as: The formation of acid rain The greenhouse effect Hazes The Formation of Acid Rain

The formation of acid rain involves various stages. In the first stage, the large amounts of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide released from factories and vehicles combine with atmospheric water vapour/droplets. This combination produces sulphuric acid and nitric acid in the water droplets. The presence of acid in the water droplets causes the pH to drop below 5.0.

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The next stage is that rain is formed by these water droplets. This rain is acidic due to the presence of the sulphuric and nitric acid. Acid rain produces an adverse effect on plants and animals. It causes the destruction of the chlorophyll in the leaves. The leaves turn yellow and the plants become devoid of sufficient nutrients and eventually die. The acidic rain leads to the accumulation of minerals in rivers, lakes and ponds. This contamination causes the aquatic plants and fish to be killed. The following summarises the effects of acid rain: Killling aquatics plants due to the increase acidity of the aquatic ecosystems Corrosion of metals, marble and stone works Water supply contamination from lead Soil infertility due to leaching materials Reducing the pH level of the soil Destroying plant tissues and killing the plants

Water Pollution
Water is important to support life on earth. Without it, there will be no life on earth. Water pollution can be harmful to living organisms. The growing human population has increased the level of water pollution. The main source of water pollution is from domestic products such as sewage and detergents. Agricultural activities, such as the excessive use of fertilisers and pesticides, also contribute to water pollution. Industrial activities lead to the discharge of industrial wastes which are also causes of water pollution.

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Eutrophication One of the main effects of water pollution is eutrophication. Eutrophication is a process where the water in ponds or lakes becomes rich in dissolved nutrients (nitrates and phosphates) produced from fertilisers or sewage. The high concentration of dissolved nutrients promotes the growth of algae and blue green bacteria which cover up the surface of the ponds or rivers.

As a result, sunlight is prevented from reaching the algae and aquatic plants at the bottom of the water. Photosynthesis cannot take place and they die. The decomposition of dead plants by the aerobic bacteria uses more oxygen in the water and reduces its concentration. This in turn increases the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD).

The BOD is an indication of the amount of dissolved oxygen in water. A lower BOD indicates that a high amount of oxygen has dissolved in the water while a higher BOD indicates that a low amount of oxygen has dissolved in the water.

The BOD for clean water is less than 1 part per million (ppm; in highly polluted water with human wastes, the BOD is between 200-400 ppm.

Algal bloom

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Thermal Pollution

Thermal pollution is the release of an excessive amount of heat into the environment. The pollution occurs when the used air or water in a cooling system is returned to the environment. The high temperature upsets the environment and endangers living organisms. The sources of thermal pollution are the factories, nuclear reactors, electric power stations and tall glass buildings.

When factories, nuclear reactors, and electric power stations are built near rivers and lakes, the water from these rivers and lakes are used in the cooling system. The hot used water from the cooling system is returned to the rivers and lakes, causing their water temperature to rise above the normal level. The high water temperature negatively affects the aquatic plants and animals in the rivers and lakes.

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Noise Pollution
Noise pollution is man-made noise that disrupts the environment. Excessive noise pollution is harmful to living organisms. The sources of noise pollution are vehicles, aeroplanes and trains, music, entertainment and drilling machines as well as noise caused by piling at construction sites.

Excessive and very loud noise can damage the ear drums as well as the cells in the inner part of the ear leading to hearing loss and deafness.

The threshold of the normal sound suitable for the ear is in the range of 40-60 decibels. Sounds of higher decibels, such as the sound of a jet engine (> 125 decibels) and piling at construction sites (>100 decibels) are not suitable for the ears and should be avoided.

Drilling

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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, cllorofluorocarbons (CFCs), methane, nitrous oxide, low level ozone, and water vapour make up the greenhouse gases. With the exception of CFCs, most of the greenhouse gases occur naturally. However, all of them are also the results of human activities. Today, data collected around the world show a steady increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases. At the same time, there is also rapid development and industrialisation. Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide have increased by nearly 30%, the concentrations of methane have more than doubled, and the concentrations nitrous oxide (N20) have risen by about 15%.

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The greenhouse effect

Scientists believe that the combustion 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 gases rises, the greenhouse effect increases, 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. The increase in atmospheric temperature has been high enough to cause changes in the global climate. Over last 40 years, the average temperature on Earth has increased by about 0.2-0.3C. In Malaysia, temperature has been rising at 0.18C 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.

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THE EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING

The Occurrence Of Floods - As the mean temperature rises, the polar ice caps and glaciers melt. - A rise in sea levels caused low-lying areas to be flooded.

Climatic Changes - Global warming leads to changes in wind direction and the distribution of rainfall. As a result, agrcultural 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 regions.

Occurence Of Drought - Global warming increases the frequency of droughts. - The land becomes dry and infertile. This leads to a drop in crop yields.

Spread of Diseases - With warmer climates, pests and vectors may spreads to new areas. - The warmer conditions lead to an expansion of territories for diseasescarrying vectors, resulting in an increase in the outbreaks of diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.

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The Thinning Of The Ozone Layer

The ozone layer is a region in the stratosphere, between 20 and 25 kilometres above the surface of the Earth. The ozone layer contains high con centrations of ozone molecules (O3) that absorb ultraviolet (UV) radiation and shield organisms from its damaging effects.

The ozone layer filters out UV radiation.

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 The thinning of ozone layer has been recorded by scientists since the 1970s. In 1985, it was reported that the stratopheric ozone over the Antarctica has 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 Arctics as well. Consequently, UV radiation has risen by 7% per decade in the southern hemisphere. This layer of ozone shields us from excessive ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

A satellite image of the ozone hole over the Antarctica. The dark region on the image is actually an ozone hole.

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There are many steps can be taken to maintain the balance of nature such as: 1. Implementation of laws:

Environment Quality Act, 1974 Controls and prevents the pollution of the environment Controls the type of licensing, content and quality of environment Tests and examines the samples of substances and gas fromindustries Natural Forestry Act, 1984 -Aims at protecting and preserving our forests and wildlife Pesticides Act, 1974 -Aims at controlling the use of pesticides Protection of Wildlife Act, 1972 -Aims at protecting wildlife animals, birds and plants Fisheries Act, 1985 -Aims at controlling marine pollution

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2. Use of technology:

Use modern equipment and chemicals to control oil spills. Recycle rubbish. To look for methods to do research. Change organic rubbish to biogas. Use less polluting and clean fuels in motor vehicles. Control and treat the toxic and dangerous waste before disposing.

3. Education:

To increase the awareness and sensitivity of theindividual to the environment. To provide the basic knowledge of environmentalproblems and effects of pollutions. To teach the public the necessary skills to protect andmaintain a healthy society. To help the individuals to become responsible andsensitive to the environment.

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4. Preservation and conservation of the ecosystem:

Force the development companies to replant the forest trees after deforestation. Remaining the mangrove swamps area so that the ecosystemis protected. Restore the mining and used land for agriculture. Put effort in rivers cleaning to ensure there is sufficient supplyof water in future) Practice of biological control. A method of controlling the animal pests by using naturalpredators instead of using chemical substances. Factors to choose the animals predators.

5. 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 energy-efficient engines. Use a cleaner fuel by reducing the content of sulphur in diesel and switching to gas. Improve energy efficiency in factories.

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The effects of unplanned development and mismanagement of the ecosystem can lead to damaging consequences such as soil erosion, flash floods, landslides, eutrophication ,pollution global warming, ozone depletion, climatic changes and loss of biodiversity. There are four types of pollution which are air, water, thermal, and noise pollution. Greenhouse gases released by various human activities can trap heat in the atmosphere and raise the Earths average temperature. Such an overall rise in the Earths temperature can leads to global warming. The thinning of ozone layer is mainly due to the accumulation of chloroflurocarbon (CFCs)in the atmosphere. Sustainable development must take into consideration of proper management of the ecosystem to ensure a balance of nature is maintained.

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 Biology Form 4 Text Book. Success (Oxford Fajar) Biology ( 2013 edition ) reference books.

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