endangered

ecosystem

NAME: ADRIENA ALIA BINTI ADRI

CLASS: 4 BEGONIA
9.1 human activities that endanger the
ecosystem

* Human activities often affect the whole ecosystem.

* The negative effects of hasty and unplanned development and

mismanagement of the ecosystem result in various environmental
problems.

* These problems bring about negative effects that are increasingly

threatening the economic resources, health and survival of the ecosystem.

the impact of human activities on the ecosystem

DEFORESTATION:

* The rapid destruction of woodlands or removal of trees from forests is

known as deforestation.

* Tropical rainforests play important ecological roles. Oldest ecosystem

on earth and house of flora n fauna

* Contain many unique species which provide food, medicine and other
biological products.

* Regulate the world’s climate by influencing wind, rainfall, humidity

and temperature patterns.

* Called the ‘carbon sink’ of the Earth because they absorb vast
amount of carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and release oxygen into
the atmosphere.

* Serve as water catchment areas

Deforestation results in :

* Soil erosion

* Flash flood

* Landslides

* Changes in the recycling of materials

* Severe climatic changes

* The loss of biodiversity

Deforestation cause soil erosion, landslides and flash flood

* Soil erosion is the removal and thinning of the soil layer due to
physical and climatic process.

* The absence of plant root systems makes the soil structure unstable.

* When it rain heavily for a long period of time, the top layer of the soil
disintegrates easily and this leads to landslides on steep hillsides.

* The eroded soil is then carried away by moving water and deposited
at the bottom of river.

* Together with depletion of water catchment areas, cause flash

flood during rainy seasons.

* Soil erosion causes the land to be depleted of minerals and natural

resources, making the land useless for cultivation.
Deforestation results in the loss of biodiversity

The destruction by human activities:

* The removal of the base of numerous food webs.

* The loss of habitats for many species of flora and fauna

* The extinction of countless species and varieties of plants and

animals, many of which have never been catalogued scientifically.
Extinction of flora and fauna species reduces biodiversity

* The destruction of storehouse of genetic diversity on Earth. The

Earth’s biodiversity is a rich source of food and priceless medicines for
mankind

Deforestation affects carbon and nitrogen cycles

* The removal of plants in the rainforests disrupts the natural cycle of

nutrients.

* The level of atmospheric carbon dioxide rises as less carbon dioxide

is removed by plants while the level of atmospheric oxygen drops as less
oxygen is released during photosynthesis.

* The recycling of nitrates and other ions is slowed down.

* Tree roots bind soil particles together, and the tree canopy reduces
the force of rain beating down on the soil and cause nutrients to be lost
through leaching and run-off.
Deforestation cause climates change

* Deforestation disrupts normal weather patterns, creating hotter and

drier weather and causing global climatic changes.

* Removal of trees reduces transpiration and rainfall cause the

increase in carbon dioxide level in atmosphere and prevent heat from
escaping from atmosphere.

* This is known as greenhouse effect and lead to global warming.

BURNING OF FOSSIL FUELS AND ITS EFFECTS

* Contributes about 75% of carbon dioxide

* Cause greenhouse effect and global warming

INTENSIVE FARMING AND ITS EFFECT

* Excessive use of land for intensive farming decrease the space and
resources available for other species

THE EFFECT OF AN INCREASE IN DOMESTIC WASTE AND

INDUSTRIAL WASTE

* A rapidly expanding human population also generates an increase in

both domestic and industrial waste.

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Air pollution

1. Air pollution is caused by the presence of pollutants in the air which are
harmful to life and the environment.

2. Sources of pollution are as follows:

a) Burning
- Rubbish

- Forest

- Solid waste

b) Factories and industries

- Burning of fossil fuels such as petroleum, diesel and gas in factories

and power stations.

- Agricultural industries that use agrochemicals such as fertilizers,

pesticides, insecticides and herbicides.

c) Motor vehicles

- Release harmful gases in car exhaust fumes.

3. Burning of fossil fuels produces gases such as sulphur dioxide and

nitrogen dioxide. Burning of rubbish and emission of smoke and fumes
from car exhausts and chimneys in factories produce carbon dioxide,
carbon monoxide and soot (unburnt carbon particles).

4. Increase in carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) in the atmosphere will

trap the Sun’s radiation and retain it as heat in the Earth’s atmosphere.
This contributes to the greenhouse effect.

5. This will cause an increase in the Earth’s temperature.

Source of pollution:

(a) Pollutant: Dust and soot

-Cement factories, quarries, sawmills, burning of rubbish and motor

vehicles.

(b) Pollutant: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and

nitrogen dioxide

-Burning of fossil fuels and rubbish

-Car exhaust fumes.

(c) Pollutant: Lead

-Car exhaust fumes which contain lead

(d) Pollutant: Agrochemical substances

-Activities of agricultural industry

(e) Pollutant: Radioactive radiations

-Nuclear power stations

(f) Pollutant: Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)

-Aerosol and foam industries

Acid rain

(I) Causes of acid rain:

1. The combustion of fossil fuels (cool, air and gas) in power station,
factories, domestic boilers and internal combustion engines releases large
quantities of sulphur dioxide (SO2 ) and oxides of nitrogen (NO and NO2).

2. Both sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen combine with water vapour
in the atmosphere to form sulphuric acid and nitric acid respectively.

3. Then, they fall to earth as acid rain.

4. Rain is naturally acidic, with pH of about 5.6. This acidity is due to the
carbon dioxide in the air, which dissolve in rain to form carbonic acid.

5. However, the pH of acid rain is less than 5.0.

(II) Effects:

(a) Agricultural:

1. The soil becomes very acidic and unsuitable for the cultivation of
crops.

2. Acid rain causes the leaching of minerals such as potassium,

calcium, and magnesium. This affects the growth of crops.

(b) Aquatic ecosystem:

1. Acid rain causes insoluble aluminum ions to accumulate in lakes and

rivers. The concentration of aluminum ions eventually reaches a
toxic level which can kill aquatic organisms such as fish and
invertebrates.

(c) Health:

1. Acidic soil releases the ions of certain heavy metals such as

cadmium, lead, mercury which may contaminate the supply of
drinking water.

2. Increased acidity in the aquatic ecosystems also kills phytoplankton

which changes the food chain.

3. Photosynthesis tissues are destroyed. Plant leaves turn yellow and

fall off. The roots are damaged and cannot absorb minerals.

(d) Buildings:

1. Metal railings and bridges corrode.

2. Limestone, stonework and marble monuments are eroded due to

chemical weathering.
(III) Solutions:

Acid rain can be reduced by:-

1. Cleaning up emissions from vehicle exhausts through the use of

catalytic converters. The pollutants react with one another in the
catalytic converters to produce less harmful products.

2. Cleaning emissions from power stations and industrial plants wit

scrubbers. This process involves the spraying of water to trap
pollutants.

Air pollution index (api)

1. The Air Pollution Index (API) is used as a measure of air quality.

2. It normally includes the major air pollutants which could cause

potential harm to human health.

3. In Malaysia, the air pollutants included are ozone, carbon monoxide,

nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and suspended particulate matter.

4. This index is calculated by using the concentrations of major air

pollutants, but it is developed in easily understood ranges of values
as shown below.
Air Pollution Index

API Status Level of pollution

0-50 Good Low, no ill effects on

health

51-100 Moderate Moderate pollution, no ill

effects on health

101-200 Unhealthy Mild aggravation of

symptoms among high
risk groups

201-300 Very unhealthy Significant aggravation of

symptoms and
decreased exercise
tolerance among high
risk groups

301-500 Hazardous Severe aggravation of

symptoms and a danger
to health

Above 500 Emergency Severe aggravation of

symptoms and a danger
to a health

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\

water pollution
Sources, Components, Effects, Solution of water pollution

Sources Components Effects Solutions

Agricultural Nitrates and Lead to Control the use of

phosphates eutrophication fertilisers
run-off
a) Applying only
and
when crops are
waste growing.

b) Not applying in
empty fields.

c) Not spraying
when there is a
forecast of rain.

d) Not disposing
of them into rivers
and ponds.

e) Reducing the
usage of excess
nitrates from
fertilisers and
ammonia.

Herbicide and -Have toxic -Use biodegradable

pesticide effects on pesticides
residues organisms in
-Use alternative
water and
method (biological
 human pest control)

-Pesticides -Planting genetically

levels can be modified crops that
magnified as can resist attacks by
they pass insects as this may
through food reduce the need to
chain use chemical
pesticides
-Accumulation of
pesticides in
consumers may
kill them or affect
their metabolism

-Lead to lower
sperm counts,
decreased
ovulation,
inability to
conceive and
birth defects.

Untreated Suspended Reduce light -Treat sewage

solids penetration before it enters
sewage –
rivers
-High demand
human
for oxygen -Prevent slurry
faeces
(liquid manure) from
and farms from entering
rivers and ponds
domestic

waste

Nitrates and Leads to

 phosphates eutrophication

Detergents -‘Hard’ -Use biodegradable

detergents detergents with low
create foam phosphate contents
which reduces
the availability of
oxygen to
organisms living
in the water

-‘Soft’ detergents
are
biodegradable
but may contain
high levels of
phosphates
which can lead
to eutrophication

Microorganisms - Cause cholera -Drink properly

(viruses, treated and boiled
bacteria, and water
protozoa)

Effluent from Heavy metals -Highly toxic -Treat effluents

industries (copper, accumulate in before discharging
mercury, zinc, the organisms into water sources
-Electronics
and chromium), via food chains
and -Taking legal action
oil, grease, and
electroplating -Mercury causes against illegal
suspended
plants acute nervous dumping of toxic
solids, waste
disorder in wastes
-Food and water contains
humans.
beverage numerous
processing contaminants,
(including
industry hydroxide
sulphide).
-Rubber
products
processing
industry

Underground Lead (highly -Accumulate in -Replace lead pipes

pipes toxic heavy the tissues of used in plumbing
metal) living organisms with copper-based
pipes.
-Impair the
mental
performance of
children

EUTROPHICATION

Defination: Artificial nutrient enrichment of an aquatic system with organic

material or inorganic nutrients, causing an excessive growth of aquatic
plant life.

Causes by

a) Leaching of inorganic fertilisers, especially nitrates and phosphates,

from agricultural lands

b) Input of untreated sewage as well as discharge from sewage treatment

plants

c) Run-off of animal waste from pastures and farmlands into lakes, rivers
or ponds.
Process of eutrophication

1) Run-off of excess nutrients into water encourage rapid growth of

algae, results in a population explosion known as an algae bloom

2) At night, high respiration rate of the algae results in a high demand for
oxygen.

3) Excessive growth of algae restricts the penetration of light into the

water. The rate of photosynthesis of aquatic plants reduced and further
reduced the supply of oxygen in water.

4) The algae grow faster than their consumers. Most of algal population
dies without being consumed.

5) Decomposing microorganisms especially aerobic bacteria used up the

oxygen in deeper water at a fast rate.

6) Untreated sewage or animal wastes from farm that contain high

concentration of organic matter encourage the rapid growth of aerobic
bacteria.

7) The aerobic bacteria use up oxygen faster than it can be replenished.

An increase in biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) results in a severe
depletion of oxygen.

8) Low level of oxygen concentration kills larger aerobic aquatic

organisms and organisms that require higher oxygen levels (freshwater
shrimps and mayfly nymphs)

9) If the oxygen levels continues to drop and water become completely

deoxygenated, anaerobic bacteria will grow and release toxic gases (eg.
hydrogen sulphide), causing the death of aquatic organisms.

10) During the growth of algae, certain blue green bacteria also produce
toxins.

11) At night BOD levels, organisms that are more tolerant of lower
concentration of dissolved oxygen (eg. leeches, Tubifex worms, and sludge
worms) may appears and multiply.
WHAT IS BOD?

1. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) is the amount of dissolved

oxygen required by the microoganisms to decompose the organic
matters in the water.

2. The measurement of BOD is an indication of the level of water

pollution.

3. If there is a large amount of organic waste in the water, the

population of aerobic bacteria will increase to decompose the organic
matter. The dissolved oxygen level in the water decreases, and the
value of BOD will be high.

A lower BOD level (or higher dissolved oxygen level) indicates better water
quality. A higher BOD level (or lower dissolved oxygen level) indicates poor
water quality.

thermal pollution
In thermal pollution, the temperature of a body of water is unintentionally
raised as a result of human activities

1. Causes:

- Hot water is discharged into nearby lake and river from the effluent of
industrial processes and cooling tower of electrical power station, which
use water as a cooling agent.

- The excess heat that is released into the environment leads to thermal
pollution.

2. Effects:
- Thermal pollution causes the temperature in a body of water to rise
above the normal value.

- Water temperature can affect the level of dissolved oxygen.

- As the temperature of the water increases, oxygen become less

insoluble in water.

- If the temperature increase persists over a longer period, this may

result in permanent changes in the species composition of the aquatic
ecosystem.

3. Ways to prevent:

- Control the amount of hot water discharged into still or slow - moving
rivers.

- Control the amount of hot water discharged from industrial plants and
power station to the surrounding lakes and rivers.

noise pollution
1. Causes:

- Noises from cars, motorcycles, aeroplanes, construction sites,

agriculture and industrial machinery.

- Noise level of residential areas should not exceed 55 decibels (dB).

2. Effects:

- Prolonged exposure to noise level at or above 80 decibels can lead to

deafness.
- High level of noise can contribute to the development and aggravation
of stress – related problems such as high blood pressure, coronary
disease, ulcers, depression and headache.

- Loud noise can cause an arousalresponse in which a series of

reactions occurs in the body.

- Adrenaline is released into the bloodstream. A person’s heartbeat,

blood pressure and

- respiration rate are likely to increase.

- The blood vessels constrict and the muscles become tense.

- Constant exposure to noise can contribute to a deterioration in health.

9.2 the greenhouse effect and the thinning of

ozone layer
the greenhouse effect
CAUSES:

1. Increases of the greenhouse gases especially carbon dioxide in the

atmosphere due to:

(a) combustion of fossil fuels

(b) deforestation

(c) industrial production

2. As the concentration of greenhouse gases rises, more heat is trapping in

the atmosphere and raising the average temperature on earth. Hence, this
phenomenon brings to global warming.

EFFECTS:

1. Occurrence of floods
· As the average temperature rises, the polar ice caps and glaciers
melt.

· This increases the sea level causing low-lying areas to be flooded.

2. Climate changes

· Global warming leads to changes in wind directions and 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
region.

3. Occurrence of droughts

· Global warming increases the frequency of droughts.

· The land becomes dry and infertile. This leads to a drop yields.

4. Spread of diseases

· With warmer climates, pests and vectors may spread to new areas.

· The warmer conditions lead to an expansion of territories for

disease-carrying vectors, resulting an increase in the outbreak of diseases.

SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL WARMING:

1. Reduce the burning of fossil fuels.

2. Develop alternative sources of energy such as wind, solar and

geothermal energy.

3. Reduce deforestation

4. Replant trees which have been cut down.

the thinning of the ozone layer
CAUSES OF OZONE DEPLETION:

1. The increasing levels of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in the

atmosphere.

In the stratosphere, CFCs molecules are broken down by ultraviolet rays,

releasing chlorine radicals which destroy ozone in a chain reaction.

EFFECTS OF OZONE DEPLETION:

1. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation can lead to higher risks of:

(a) skin cancer

(b) cataracts

(c) sunburns

2. Ultraviolet radiation weakens the immune system and the ability of

the body to resist infectious diseases.

3. Ultraviolet radiation reduces nutrient contents and crop yield of

plants.

4. Ultraviolet rays destroy the leaf cells and chlorophyll. This lowers the
rate of photosynthesis and reduces crop yield.

5. Ultraviolet rays kill microorganisms and phytoplankton that are at the

bottom of the marine food chain.

6. Leads increases in the temperature on Earth.

7. High levels of ultraviolet radiation can damage the eggs of

AMPHIBIANS.
WAYS TO REDUCE OZONE DEPLETION:

1. Reduce or stop the use of CFCs.

2. Replace chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) with hydrochlorofluorocarbons

(HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

9.3 measure taken in the management of

development activities
implementation of laws
*control pollution

~Enviromental Quality Act,1974

(water quality management)

~Enviromental Quality Regulation,1989

(waste treatment & disposal facilities)

~Enviromental Quality Regulation,1977

(crude palm oil)

~Enviromental Quality Regulation,1979

(sewage & industrial effluents)

~Protection of Wildlife Act,1972

use of technology
*catalytic converters (clean up exhaust emissions & convert harmful
gasses)

*use unleaded petrol

*treat sewage treatment plants

*treat toxic waste produced in factories

*use microorganisms to clean up the environment

*develop hydrogen-basedfuel-cell vehicles

*use technology to capture carbon dioxide emissions

*use methods to reduce & capture methane emissions,a by-product of

cattle & other

livestock waste & uses better controls on nitrous oxide emissions from
nitrogen

fertilizers

education on the management of resources

*4Rs (recycle,reuse,reduce & renew)

~RECYCLING means collecting &

segregating waste materials according to their types & turning them into
new products.

~REUSE means to reuse things instead of throwing them away.

~REDUCE means reducing the use of materials.

~RENEW means to renew the use of materials after they are cleaned.
preservation & conservation of soil , water , flora &
mangrove swamps
*Preservation involves efforts to protect an ecosystem so that natural
resources are utilised in a suitainable manner & the equilibrium of the
ecosystem is maintain.

*Conservation involves effort to return an affected ecosystem to its natural

equilibrium.

*Sustainable agricultural development is the effective use & preservation of

soil to ensure continuous agricultural production.

~good farming techniques & agricultural pratices

*Water sources & catchment areas must be preserve

~rivers must not be regarded as dumping sites

~the use of nitrates & phosphate in agriculture must be control

*Forests

~establishing a level of selective harvesting

~reforestation

~restoration programmes

~forest reserves

~greater productivity must be reduce

*Mangrove swamps (flood control,nutrient & toxicant retention,sediment

control,coastal erosion prevention,barrier against rising sea level)
the practice of biological control
*Biological control is the use of natural predators to control the population
of pest species.

~cheap

~will not pollute the environment

the use of renewable energy

*RENEWABLE ENERGY is the energy flow that occurs naturally in the
environment &

can be harnessed for the benefit of human.(inexhaustible & does not

pollute the

environment)

~solar , wind , wave , flowing water , geothermal , biomass & palm oil fuel
energy

The efficient use of energy

*reduce the use of coal , petroleum & other fossil fuels

*substitude natural gas for coal*improve fuel efficiency

*use cleaner fuel

*improve energy effiency

*use more hybrid car which combine electric & gasoline engines