The Impact of Man on the Environment.

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Table of Content

Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Page 4

Biotic & abiotic factors…………………………………………………………………………………………….Page 5

Ecology………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Page 6

Ecosystem………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Page 7

Nitrogen cycle…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Page 8

Nitrogen fixation………………………………………………………………………………………………………Page 9

Nitrogen in decomposer food chain……………………………………………………………………….Page 10

Environmental issues………………………………………………………………………………………………..Page 11

Species extinction & human population………………………………………………………………..Page 12

Urbanisation, Deforestation & Industrialisation…………………………………………………….Page 13

Pollution…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Page 15

Air pollutants…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Page 16

Chlorofluorocarbons………………………………………………………………………………………………….Page 17

Greenhouse & Global warming……………………………………………………………………………….Page 18

Conservation……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Page 19


IMPACT OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES IN OUR ENVIRONMENT

Introduction on Environmental Degradation

Environmental degradation is one of the biggest threats that the Planet Earth is facing actually. This degradation is taking place at a frightening rate. Environmental degradation is the process where the natural environment is so seriously affected that the biodiversity of the region is adversely affected. Earth is considered to be our home, which is a place where we are having our basic needs and wants. However, destroying Earth will be equal as destroying ourselves and our resources. If we poison its air, we cannot breathe; if we foul its water, we cannot drink; if we annihilate its plants and animals, we cannot eat, nor can we maintain the equilibrium of nature. Environment is our surroundings made of man-made resources and natural resources, though portions of the natural resources have been ravaged.

Basically, the state of nature deteriorates through human activities such as deforestation, pollution and industrialisation. But however, even some natural processes can cause natural degradation. Human activities alter both the abiotic and the biotic environment in many ways. For example, energy use increases the air temperature around the cities, mining and effluent disposal release dissolved minerals into waterways, farming increased the population of agricultural and pest species, but decreased the population of most wildlife.

EARTH

        Biotic Components                                        Abiotic Components

  • Unicellular Organisms                                        Light         
  • Multicellular Organisms                                        Temperature & atmosphere
  • Non-cellular Organisms                                        Moisture & salinity

Biotic factors

These are living things including unicellular, multicellular & non cellular organisms. Unicellular ones are made up of only one cell, for example bacteria. Multicellular organisms are made up of many cells, for example animal, plants and fungi. Non-cellular organisms are not made up of cell, such as viruses.

Abiotic factors

Abiotic factors are all the non-living things in our surroundings. They include the following factors:

  • Climatic factors, such as rainfall, temperature & humidity
  • Physiographic factors such as slope of land, exposed.
  • Edaphic factors such as soil conditions, drainage, aeration, soil texture, pH conditions. These are physical conditions.

Despite the worldwide growth in industrialisation, environmental movement and awareness, the degradation of Earth has still not stopped. It is actually almost impossible to stop it, but it can be prevented to be destroyed completely. The study of our environment and the activities occurring in the environment are directly related to Ecology. Ecology is an important topic to study about before learning about the environmental problems. It is better to understand the Ecological terms first in Ecology.

There are three main parts which are studied further about the Impact of human activities on our environment. These are Economy, Society & Ecology.

Ecology

Ecology is the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment that is it is the study of the relationship between biotic components and abiotic components.

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Ecology refers to the studies of fisheries, agriculture and forestry. It also relates about predicting, preventing and sorting out ecological problems occurring in an ecosystem by human activities. It enables us to have a better understanding about the physical state of our environment and the consequences of the massive environmental intervention.

The subject matter of Ecology is normally divided into four broad categories:

  • Physiological Ecology – having to do with the response of single species to environmental conditions (light, temperature.)
  • Population Ecology – abundance and distribution of individual species, factors causing such distribution.
  • Community ...

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