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Describe Some Impacts of Human Activities on Ecosystems

Ecosystems are divided into terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Terrestrial, or land-based, ecosystems include grassland, tundra, rainforest, savannah, dessert, and coniferous forest biomes. Aquatic ecosystems are divided into marine and freshwater ecosystems. Marine ecosystems are salt-based ecosystems like oceans, salt marshes and estuaries. Freshwater ecosystems have little to no salt content and include ponds, rivers, lakes and streams.

  1. Acid Rain

    • The Environmental Protection Agency defines acid rain as a "mixture of wet and dry deposition from the atmosphere containing higher than normal amounts of nitric and sulfuric acids." EPA identifies several sources of acid rain, including the activities of man. Such activities include the use of fossil fuel. The combustion process of fossil-fuel-based products leads to the emission of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. These two gasses react negatively with atmospheric water, oxygen and other chemicals, resulting in acidic compounds that fall as acid rain. Other sources of these emissions are power plants. Acid in the atmosphere may fall in the form of rain or be incorporated in dust and smoke. When the rains eventually fall, the acidic dust will be mixed with the acidic rain, creating a more concentrated runoff.

    Deforestation

    • Overpopulation of human beings harms the ecosystem. A growing population leads to a reduction in natural ecosystems in favor of manmade ecosystems. An example of the effect of a growing human population is the conversion of forests to agricultural land. This might be necessary to provide enough food for the people, but will result in the alteration of the forest ecosystem due to deforestation. Forests are also cleared to accommodate residences or industry.

    Overhunting

    • The overhunting of animals has led to the reduction or even extinction of several species. According to the World Wildlife Fund, certain species of rhinos have been hunted to near extinction, mainly because their horns are valued in traditional Asian medicine. WWF also notes that there may be as few as 3,200 tigers in the wild. These low numbers are due to overhunting by man. The giant pandas are critically endangered animals whose low numbers are due to a combination of habitat loss and poaching. These animals are part of the flow of energy and biodiversity in the ecosystem. They are mostly secondary consumers who help maintain the balance in their respective ecosystems.

    Oil Spills

    • Oils spills on the oceans negatively affect the wildlife in the location surrounding the spill. Oil spills can occur during the transportation of oil by tankers, by barges or through pipelines. Oil spills can also occur during offshore drilling and extraction. Marine mammals like fur seal pups become easy prey when their flippers stick to their bodies from the oil. Oil spills also lead to the damage of habitats where many marine organisms like fish and crustaceans breed. Such habitats include coral reefs and estuaries.

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