9.

Human activities that threaten an ecosystem

Human activities often affect whole ecosystems. With great

advancements in the medical field, modern farming techniques and better
infrastructure, the worlds population has grown to over 6 billion today.
Conflicts, therefore, arise between the need to meet the immediate human
demands in the short term and the need to protect and conserve ecosystems
from long-term damage.
Many of the problems related to the environment are the results of human
activities and human interference with the ecosystems. The negative effects
of hasty, unplanned development and the mismanagement of the
ecosystems result in various environmental problems such as air and water
pollution, the greenhouse effect, global warming and the depletion of natural
resources. These problems bring negative effects that increasingly threaten
the economic resources, health and survival of ecosystems.

Human activities
Deforestation

Burning of fossil fuels

Effects on the ecosystem

Soil erosion
Landslides
Flash floods
Climatic changes
The loss of biodiversity
The greenhouse effect and the
global warming
Greenhouse effect
Global warming
Air pollution
Eutrophication
Water pollution
Water pollution

Overuse of fertilisers in intensive

farming
Dumping of domestic and industrial

waste
Table 9.1 Impact of unplanned human activities on the ecosystem

The impact of human activities on the ecosystem

Deforestation and its effect

The rapid destruction of woodlands or the removal of trees from
forests is known as deforestation. Tropical rainforests have important
ecological roles.
a) Rainforests are the oldest ecosystems on Earth and house almost
half of the flora and fauna of the world.
b) They contain many unique species, which provide food, medicine
and other biological products.
c) Rainforests regulate climate by influencing wind, rainfll, humidity,
and temperature patterns.
d) Also known as carbon sink of the Earth because they absorb vast
amount of carbon dioxide.
e) Serve as water catchment areas.
In general deforestation results in soil erosion, flash floods,
landslides, disruption to the carbon and nitrogen cycles, severe
climatic changes and the loss of biodiversity.

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 systems makes
the soil structure unstable.
When it rains heavily for a long period of
time, the top layer of the soil crumbles
and this leads to landslides on steep
hillsides.
Deforestation results in the loss of
The eroded soil is then carried by moving
biodiversity
water and deposited at the bottom of the
The destruction of millions of hectares of
river. This together with the depletion of
forest means:
water catchment areas willa)
cause
flash of the bases of numerous
The removal
floods during rainy season. food webs.
b) The loss of habitats of many species.
c) The extinction of countless species.

Deforestation
disrupts the carbon
and nitrogen cycles
The removal of plants in the rainforests disrupts the natural cycle of nutrient.

The level of atmospheric carbon dioxide rises as less carbon dioxide released is remove
removed by plants during photosynthesis.
The level of atmospheric oxygen drops as less oxygen is released by plants during
photosynthesis.
The recycling of nitrates and other ions slows down.
Tree roots bind soil particles together, and the tree canopy reduces the force of rain
beating down on the soil. Deforestation therefore causes the loss of nutrients through
leaching, and run-offs.
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 add 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 of carbon dioxide level is associated with
the greenhouse effect and the global warming.

Intensive farming and its effects

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, they do not
remain in the soil for long and are quickly leached into the surrounding
rivers and lakes. This leads to eutrophication. Eutrophication is
discussed later in the section on water pollution.

The effects of an increase in domestic waste and industrial waste

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 substances and other
pollutants from the dumpsites leak into the ground and eventually
pollute the nearby water resources.

Pollution
Pollution is an undesirable change in the physical, chemical and biological
characteristics of natural environment due to human activities. There are
four types of pollution: air, water, thermal and noise pollution.

Air pollution
Burning of fossil fuels is the main source of air pollution. Fossil fuels
are burnt in power stations using coals, petroleum and natural gas in
domestic and industrial boilers, and in the internal combustion engines
of vehicles.
When fossil fuels are burnt, the elements in the fuels are oxidized,
forming various air pollutants. These includes carbon dioxide,
sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and fine particulate matter.

Pollutants
Carbon
monoxide(CO)
Colourless,
odourless
gas

Sulphur
dioxide(SO2)
Pungent,

Sources
Effects
Incomplet Health:
Combines readily with
e
combustio
haemoglobin and
n of fossil
affects the transport of
fuels
oxygen to the body
The
cells.
Impairs alertness,
exhausts
of vehicles
causes fatigue and
Factories
headaches
Combustio Health:
Irritates the eyes
n of fossil
Damages respiratory
fuels,

Solutions

Use
low
sulphu

colourless
gas
Sulphur
dioxide is
formed
when
sulphuric
compounds
react with
oxygen
during
combustion

Oxides of
nitrogen
Nitrogen
monoxide(N
O)
Nitrogen
dioxide(NO2
)

Lead (Pb)
Lead compounds
are added to
petrol to prevent
the inefficient
burning of the
petrol-air mixture

particularl
y in heat
and power
generation
facilities.
Volcanic
gases
Large
industrial
boilers
Factories

passages
Causes bronchitis
Causes wheezing, a
shortness of breath and
coughing
Causes asthmatic
attacks
Climate:
Combines with rain
water to form acid rain
Agriculture:
Contributes to acid rain
which damages
photosynthesis tissues
Acid rain lowers pH of
soil, rivers and lakes.
Buildings:
Acid rain corrodes iron,
limestone and
stonework, and
destroys buildings
Health:
Vehicle
Irritate lungs, nose,
exhausts
Actions of
throat, and eyes
Cause respiratory
bacteria on
fertilisers
infections
Combustio
Causes bronchitis
n of fossil
Climate:
fuels
Dissolved in rain water
Factories
to form acid rain

Combustio
n of fossil
fuels
Vehicle
exhaust
fumes

Health:
Retards mental
development and
damages the liver
Can result in coma or
death

r
conten
t fuels.
Clean
up
emissi
ons
from
power
station
s and
factori
es with
scrub
bers

Clean up
emissions
from car
exhausts by
installing
catalytic
converters
to turn
oxides of
nitrogen into
harmless
nitrogen gas
Use
unleaded
petrol

Carbon dioxide
(CO2)
An acidic,
colourless and
odourles gas

Fine particulate
matter
A complex
mixture of
very fine
liquid
droplets or
solid
particles in
the air such
as dust,
smoke, and
exhaust
fumes.
Smoke
contains
tiny carbon
particles
called soot.
Haze is
formed
when
smoke, dirt
and
particulate
matter
combine
with water
vapour in
the air.

Open
burning
Combustio
n of fossil
fuels

Incomplete
combustio
n of fossil
fuels for
example
bonfires,
open
burning,
the
burning of
oil wells
and the
burning of
dried
paddy
stocks.
Motorised
vehicles
(exhaust
fumes)
Quarries,
sawmills
and
asbestos
factories

Health:
Reduce the
use of fossil
Affects respiration
fuels
Climate:
Leads to greenhouse
effect and global
warming
Results in an increase in
the atmospheric
temperature.
Climatic changes
Health:
Irritate the eyes, nose
and lungs
Haze can cause
conjunctivitis, sore
throats, influenza,
asthma and lead to
bronchitis
Dust from quarries,
sawmills and asbestos
factories can cause
lung disease
Haze leads to reduces
visibility
Agriculture:
Smoke particles(soot)
deposit on leaves and
block stomata. This
prevents gaseous
exchange
Both lower the
photosynthesis rate of
plants which
subsequently reduces
crop yields.
Climate:
Contributes to the
formation of haze and
smog
Smoke and haze can

When there
is no wind,
smoke may
be trapped
by fog to
form smog

reduce visibility
Buildings:
Soot darkens buildings

Air pollutant index

The air quality is measured by the air pollutant index (API). This index is
calculated based on the concentrations of several major air pollutants. Air
pollution levels are divided into 5 bands as shown below:

API
0 - 50
51 100
101 200
201 300
>300
Water pollution

Descriptor
Good
Moderate
Unhealthy
Very unhealthy
Hazardous

Water sources are the most easily polluted as they are the most affected
by human activities. Industrial, domestic ad agricultural activities produce
waste which pollutes water. The sources of water pollution are:
1. Discharge of untreated sewage and domestic into rivers (faeces,
rubbish and detergents)
- Encourage the growth of bacteria and cause diseases.
- Reduce the concentration of oxygen in the water due to the
decomposition process
- The non-biodegradable rubbish prevents sunlight from reaching the
aquatic plants, threatens life of aquatic plant.
2. Discharge of industrial waste (organic waste from agriculture
plantation, toxic chemical wastes from electronic factories)
- Decomposition of organic wastes reduce the concentration of
oxygen in water.
- Non-biodegradable toxic chemicals accumulate in the body through
the food chain. This can damage organs, cause cancer and
mutation.
3. Discharge of agricultural wastes (fertilisers, faeces) which contain
nitrates and phosphates
- The high concentration of nitrates and phosphates in river or ponds
cause eutrophication.
- Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) increases
4. Oil spillage
- Oil that spills from ships oil tanks can pollute the water and cause
the death of aquatic animals in the sea
- It also pollutes the beaches.
Eutrophication
Eutrophication is the artificial nutrient enrichment of an aquatic system
with organic material or inorganic nutrients, causing an excessive growth of
aquatic plant life. Eutrophication can be caused by:
a) The leaching of inorganic fertilisers, especially nitrates and
phosphates, from agricultural lands
b) The input of untreated sewage as well as discharge from sewage
treatment plants
c) Run-offs containing animal wastes from pastures and farmlands into
lakes, rivers or ponds.
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) is the amount of oxygen required by
microorganisms to decompose the organic substances in the water.
The dissolved oxygen concentration can be used as 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.
The process and consequences of eutrophication
1) Draining of excess nutrients into ponds,
lakes and rivers encourages the rapid
growth of photosynthesizing organisms
especially algae. this results in a
population explosion known as an algal
bloom.
2) The excessive growth of algae restricts
the penetration of light into the water. As
a result, the photosynthesis of other
aquatic plants is greatly reduced and this
further decreases the supply of oxygen in
the water
3) The algae also grow faster than their
consumers, As a result, most of the algae
die without being consumed.
4) As the photosynthesis organisms die and
organic material accumulates at the
bottom of the lake, decomposing
microorganisms, especially aerobic
bacteria, grow rapidly and use up oxygen
in the deeper water at a fast rate.
5) The aerobic bacteria uses up oxygen
faster than it can be replenished. An
increase in the BOD causes the oxygen
levels to decrease rapidly.
6) The low level of oxygen concentration kills
larger aerobic aquatic organisms such as
fish. Organisms that require higher oxygen
levels (for example, freshwater shrimps
and mayfly nymphs) will not survive
7) In extreme cases if the oxygen levels
continue to drop and the water becomes
completely deoxygenated, anaerobic
bacteria will grow and release toxic gases
such as hydrogen sulphide, causing the
death of many aquatic organisms .

Thermal pollution
In thermal pollution, the temperature of a body of water is
unintentionally raised as a result of human activities.
Causes of thermal pollution
1. Hot water is discharged into nearby lakes and rivers from the effluents of
industrial processes and the cooling towers of electrical power stations which
use water as a cooling agents.
2. The excess heat that is released into the environment leads to thermal
pollution.
3. Thermal pollution causes the temperature in the body of water to rise above
the normal value. The increase In temperature can be between 5 and 10
degree celcius

Effects of thermal pollution

1. Water temperature can affect the level of dissolved oxygen. When the
temperature of water increases, oxygen become less soluble in water.
2. a) For some species, a sudden increase in temperature can lead to instant
death because many aquatic species can only survive within a certain range
of temperature.
b) The death of these species may have a negative effect on the food chain,
causing the entire ecosystem to collapse
3. For other species, for example, algae an increase in temperature actually
encourages their
rapid growth which lead to a higher BOD value
4. If the temperature increase continues over a long period, this may result in
permanent changes in the species composition of the aquatic ecosystem.
Ways to prevent thermal pollution
1. Control the amount of hot water discharged from industrial plants and power
stations into the surrounding lakes and rivers.
2. Control the amount of hot water or industrial effluents discharged into still or
slow- moving rivers.

Noise pollution
Noise from cars, motorcycles, aeroplanes, construction site, agricultural
and industrial machinery can be form of pollution. The noise level of
residential areas should not exceed 55 decibels (dB). According to the
World Health Organisation (WHO), prolonged exposure to noise levels at
or above 80 decibels (dB) can lead to deafness. Excess exposure to high
levels of noise is considered a health risk because noise can contribute to

stress-related problems such as high blood pressure, coronary

disease, ulcers, depression and headaches.

9.2 The Greenhouse Effect and the Thinning of the Ozone

Layer
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 planes of a greenhouse
which trap the heat and warm the greenhouse. Carbon dioxide,
chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), methane, nitrous oxide, low level ozone, and water
vapour make up the greenhouse gases. With the exception of CFC, 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 industrialization. Since the beginning of the Industrial
Revolution, atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide have increased
nearly 30%, the concentrations of methane have more than doubled, and
the concentrations of nitrous oxide have risen by about 15%.
Scientists believe that the combustion of fossil fuels (coal, petroleum
and natural gas) and other human activities such as increased
deforestation and industrial production are the primary reason for the
increased concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide. As the
concentrations of greenhouse gases increase, the greenhouse effect
increase,trapping more heat in the atmosphere and raising the average
temperature on earth. This overall rise in the average temperature of
atmosphere is known as global warming.

The effects of global warming

Occurrence of floods
As the mean temperature rises, the
polar ice caps and glaciers melt.
A rise in sea levels causes low-lying
areas to be flooded

Occurrence of drought
Global warming increases the
frequency of droughts.
The land becomes dry and infertile.
This leads to a drop in crop yields.

Climate changes
Global warming leads to changes in
wind direction and the 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 regions.
Spread of diseases
With warmer climates, pests and
vectors may spread to new areas.
The warmer conditions lead to an
expansion of territories for diseasecarrying vectors, resulting in an
increase in the outbreaks of diseases
such as malaria, and dengue fever.

The thinning of the ozone layer

Ozone layer is a region in the stratosphere which contains high
concentrations of ozone molecules that absorbs ultraviolet (UV) radiation and
shield organisms from its damaging effects.

Causes of ozone depletion

1. The destruction of the ozone
layer is mainly due to the
increasing levels of
chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) in
the atmosphere.
2. CFCs are very active chemicals
that contain chlorine, carbon
and fluorine.
3. CFCs are used as coolants in air
conditioners and refrigerators,
propellants in aerosol cans
and foaming agents in the
making of Styrofoam
packaging.
4. CFCs are extremely stable and
can remain in the environment
for as long as 75 to 100 years.
5. Once in the stratosphere, CFCs
are broken down by UV rays.
6. As a result the highly reactive
chlorine radicals are released.
7. These chlorine radicals break
down the ozone molecules in a
chain reaction

The effects of ozone depletion

1. Prolonged exposure to UV
radiation can lead to higher
risks of
Skin cancer, such as
melanoma. UV radiation causes
mutations that can lead to skin
cancer.
Cataracts
Sunburns
2. UV radiation weakens the
immune system and the
ability of the body to resist
infectious diseases.
3. UV radiation reduces nutrient
contents and crop yields of
plants such as soya beans and
peas.
4. Leaf cells and chlorophyll
are easily damaged by the UV
rays. This lowers the rate of
photosynthesis and reduces
crop yields.
5. Ozone depletion also leads to
an increase in the
temperature on Earth.

Process of ozone depletion by CFC

a) UV rays break down the CFC molecules in the atmosphere. A
chlorine atom is released.

b) The highly reactive chlorine atom breaks down the ozone

molecule into chlorine monoxide and oxygen molecule

c) Free oxygen atoms in the atmosphere break the chlorine

monoxide bond. A chlorine atom is released and it can destroy
more ozone molecules.

9.3 The importance of proper management on the

development of activities
and the ecosystem
The need for development and the effects of an increasing
population the ecosystem
As the population of the world increases, so do the needs of this
population. The needs for more food supplies, water, homes, hospitals,
transport system has led to deforestation, the burning of fossil fuels, the
building of more dams and the production of more domestic and industrial
waste. The drive for development and the attempt to raise the standard of
living have led to many economic activities and development projects.
These activities and development projects have led to frequent human
interference with the balance of nature.
The negative effects of hasty, unplanned ad unmanaged development are
various environmental problems. This environmental problems affect our
health, the management of resources and the ecosystem. There is a conflict
between the need to meet the requirements of an increasing population and
the need to deal with the growing environmental problems. Every economic

activity or development project must be balanced by efforts to manage the

environment in a sustainable manner.
Measures taken in the management of development activities
Implementation of laws
Many laws and regulations are designed to control pollution which affects
the quality of land, air and water. Below are some of the acts:
a) the Environmental Quality Act, 1974, 1989
b) the National Forestry Act, 1984
c) the Protection of Wildlife Act, 1972
Use of technology
a) Install catalytic converters in vehicles to clean up exhaust
emissions and convert the harmful gases released during the
combustion of fossil fuels to less harmful products
b) Use unleaded petrol to reduce the emission of lead into the
environment
c) Treat sewage in sewage treatment plants before it is discharged
to reduce water pollution
d) Usage of oil-disintegration bacteria to clean up oil spillage in the
sea.
e) Install factory chimneys with specific devices to filter fine
particles.
f) Develop hydrogen-based fuel-cell vehicles

Education on the management of resources

The public must be educated on the concept of 4Rs. The 4Rs stand for
recycle, reuse, reduce and recover.
a) Recycling means collecting and segregating waste according to
the types of materials and turning this waste into new products.
b) Reuse means use things such as old plastic containers and
bottles again for other purposes instead of throwing them away.
c) Reduce means cutting down on the use of materials.
d) Recover means to harness heat energy from the burning of
materials or refuse in factories or incineration plants. This heat
energy can be used to generate electricity.

Preservation and conservation of soil, water, the flora and fauna

of forests, and mangrove swamps

1. Conservation involves efforts to return an affected ecosystem to its

natural equilibrium.
2. Sustainable agricultural development is the effective use and
preservation of soil to Preservation involves effort to protect an
ecosystem so that natural resources are utilized in a sustainable
manner and that the equilibrium of the ecosystem is maintained.
3. ensure continuous agricultural production.
a) Good farming techniques will prevent erosion and soil depletion.
b) Good agricultural practices include crop rotation, contour farming,
controlled grazing, planting cover crops, the appropriate use of
fertilisers, and effective drainage and irrigation.
4. Clean water is a precious resource. As such, water resources and
water catchment areas must be preserved.
a) Rivers must not be regarded as dumping sites for domestic and
toxic wastes which can pollute the water.
b) The use of nitrates and phosphates in agriculture must be
controlled
5. Sustainable and planned forests projects:
a) Establishment of a level of selective harvesting.
b) Reforestation or large-scale replanting of trees.
c) Implementation of restoration programmes to restore damage
habitats.
d) Establishment of forest reserves.
6. Mangrove swamps are a rich source of biodiversity. Mangrove
swamps play an important role in flood control, nutrient retention,
sediment control, and the prevention of coastal erosion.
Mangrove swamps found along the coastlines must be protected,
preserved and conserved.
The practice of biological control
1. Biological control is the use of natural predators to control the
population of pest species.
2. This method involves the prey-predator relationship. The
predators do not harm the crops.
3. Biological control is better than chemical control which involves the
use of pesticides. This is because:
a) The use of pesticides is indiscriminate and sometimes harmless
organism as well as the pest species are killed.
b) The effects of pesticides can be persistent and remain in the
environment for long periods.
c) The concentration of pesticides is amplified as they pass through
food chains (bio-magnification). As a result, high

concentrations of pesticides may accumulate in the tissues of

final consumers.
d) Pest develop resistance.
e) the cost of using pesticides is high.
f) Pesticides pollute the environment.

The use of renewable energy

1. Renewable energy is inexhaustible and does not pollute the
environment.
2. Examples of renewable energy are:
a) Solar energy
b) Wind energy
c) Wave energy
d) Geothermal energy
e) Biomass energy
f) Gasohol
g) Palm oil fuel
3. Renewable energy can be used as an alternative source of energy to
fossil fuel which is a non-renewable energy.

The efficient use of energy

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

CONTENT

1. Human activities that endanger an ecosystem

Human activities that threaten an ecosystem
The impact of human activities on the ecosystem
Pollution
2. The greenhouse effect and thinning of the ozone layer
The greenhouse effect
The thinning of ozone layer
3. The importance of proper management of development activities
and the ecosystem

The need for development and the effects of an increasing population

on the ecosystem
Measures taken in the management of development activities.