Chapter 9 : ENDANGER ED ECOSYSTEM

Name : Nureen Hanisah bt Mohamad Zaki Class : 411 College No : 10410 Teacher : Puan Wan Rohani

9.1 Human Activities That Endanger an Ecosystem

What are the human activities that threaten the ecosystem? How does these activities give impact on the ecosystem?

i) Deforestation
Definition : The permanent removal of trees from the forests Function of forests : home to most flora and fauna species it regulates the worlds climate. Also known as carbon sink as they absorb a lot of CO2 and releases O2 at the same time water catchment areas (pusat tadahan air)

Effects of deforestation on the ecosystem : soil erosion - absence of plant root makes the soil structure unstable landslides - disintegration of top layer of soil on a rainy day sedimentation of rivers eroded soil deposited at rivers loss of biodiversity millions of hectares forest destroyed, reducing animal habitats drastic climatic changes hotter and drier weather Technique used : Slash and burn larger trees are sold as timber, while less valuable wood is cut and burnt

this releases about 25% of the CO2 in the atmosphere excess CO2 leads to greenhouse effect and later global warming

Lands that were deforested by this method are exposed to the sun intensity and torrential rains, reducing the soils organic content. Crop production in these lands are limited as it is not fertile enough for further cultivation.

ii) Intensive Farming

Frequent use of inorganic fertilisers containing nitrates and phosphates to improve crop production These inorganic nutrients are highly soluble Eutrophication happens when these nutrients leach out into surrounding rivers and lakes

iii) Increasing Human Population

o o An increase in domestic and industrial waste Toxic substances and other pollutantsare absrobed into the ground and eventually pollutes nearby water resources

POLLUTION
Meaning : Any undesirable changes in the physical, chemical or biological characteristics of the natural environment caused when harmful substances or energy are released from human activities. Pollutant are substances that cause pollution. The severity of a pollutant depends on the chemical nature, persistence and concentration Types of pollution Air pollution Water pollution Thermal pollution Noise pollution Pollutants Dust, cigarette smoke, lead, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, soot Industrial and domestic waste, inorganic Causes 1. Burning of fossil fuels 2. Using unleaded petrol 3. Open burning 4. Industrial factories 1. Illegal dumping of waste 2. Improper Effects 1.Combination of nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide into acid rain 2. pH of water decreases 3. Haze 1. Depletion of oxygen due to algal bloom 2. Death of Diseases 1. Asthma 2. Prolonged coughing 3. Bronchitis 4. Lung cancer

Type of pollution

Air Pollution

Water

1. Cancer 2. Leukaemia 3. Kidney failure

Pollution

fertilisers, lead and mercury, radioactive waste

sewage treatment 3. Leaked pipes in lead plumbing 4. Oil spills

aerobic organisms 3. High presence of mirobes in water 4. Eutrophicatio n 1. Increase of algae which leads to a higher BOD (biochemica oxygen demand) value. 1. Noise level above 80 dB can cause deafness. 1. Instant death of certain species 2. Disruption of food chain.

Excess heat (in water) Thermal Pollution

1. Cooling of electrical power stations.

Noise Pollution

Vehicles, machinery, loud music

1. Machines from industrial and agricultural sectors. 2. Sound exceeding 55 decibels (dB)

1. Prolonged exposure may cause deafness 2. Stress (may lead to high blood pressure and coronary diseases)

Strategies to solve problems related to pollution

Car pooling, reduce smoking, treating waste before release in water

Short term strategies >>

Encourage reforestation, use electrical powered vehicles, place filters in industrial chimneys

Long term strategies

Deforestation

Effects of deforestation

Slash and burn method

Landfills causing air pollution

Soil erosion

Endangered species Effects of air pollution

Inorganic fertiliser

9.2 The Greenhouse Effect and The Thinning of Ozone Layer

What is greenhouse effect? How does C02 affects global warming? What are the impacts of the thinning of ozone layer?

The greenhouse effect

The greenhouse effect is a process by which radiative energy leaving a planetary surface is absorbed by some atmospheric gases, called greenhouse gases. The main greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, cholorofluorocarbons (CFC), methane, nitrous oxide and ozone. Concentration of greenhouse gases are increasing due to burning of fossil fuels, deforestation and industrial production. Excessive heat trapped on earth rises the global temperature known also as global warming.

Effects of Global Warming

Increase of temperature on the earth by about 3 to 5 C (5.4 to 9 Fahrenheit) by the year 2100. Rise of sea levels by at least 25 meters (82 feet) by the year 2100 due to melting of ice at the south and north poles.

The Thinning of the Ozone Layer

There are two main observations in ozone depletion : 1. A slow, steady decline of about 4 percent per decade in the total volume of ozone in Earth's stratosphere (the ozone layer) since the late 1970s 2. A decrease in stratospheric ozone over Earth's polar regions during the same period (ozone hole) Ozone depletion is mainly cause by CFC found in air conditioners, refrigerators, and aerosol cans. Every 1% drop in ozone concentration results in a 2% increase in the intensity of the most harmful type of ultraviolet radiation.

Impact of ozone depletion on humans and the ecosystem

Ultraviolet rays are able to pass through Develpoment of skin cancer and cataracts

An antarctic ozone hole

9.3 The Importance of Proper Management Of Development Activities and The Ecosystem

THE PRACTICE OF BIOLOGICAL CONTROL :

Biological control is an alternative of controlling pests.

It involves the use of natural predator to reduce the population of pests.

It is effective and does not pollute the environment.

Ex: Owl are used to control the population of rats in palm oil plantations.

A bacterium call

LIST OF REFERENCES 1) Google Image

2) http://timeforchange.org/cause-and-effect-for-global-warming 3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming#Attributed_and_expected_effect s 4) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone_depletion#Consequences_of_ozone_layer_ depletion