User:Earth in danger

HUMAN ACTIVITIES THAT ENDANGER AN ECOSYSTEM

The Effects of Unplanned Development and Mismanagement of the Ecosystem.

Development that is carried out without good planning has the following effects on the ecosystem:

a) Soil Erosion

b) Landslides

c) Flash flood

d) Deforestation

e) Water, air, thermal and noise pollution

f) Climate changes

g) Extinction of wild animal

A) SOIL EROSION

Soil erosion is the thinning of the soil layer due to the removal of the surface soil by the agents of erosion such as:

i)  Wind

ii) Water flow

iii) Uncontrolled human and animal activities.

The thin layer of topsoil is easily by flowing waters.

B) LANDSLIDE

A landslide is a sudden fall of rocks and earth down a hill slope. Landslide may be caused by:

i)  Mining activities

ii) Heavy rains on a denuded hill slopes

iii) Unstable construction projects on hill slope

iv) Earthquakes

Landslide may cause:

i) A loss of lives and property

ii) Disruption to the road transport system

C) FLASH FLOOD

A flash flood is a sudden and rapid flood of low-lying areas, river, and streams that is caused by a thunderstorm. The flash flood occur when rain water that is not absorbed into the ground fast enough causes surface runoff accumulates and flows rapidly downhill, flooding everything in its path and low-lying areas.

Causes of flash flood:

i)  Poor drainage system

ii) Rubbish clogging the drainage system

iii) Sedimentation of rivers due to deforestation

Flash flood bring suffering and misery to the local community, with the possible loss of lives and poperty.

D) DEFORESTATION

Deforestation is the permanent removal of trees from forest. The purposes of deforestation are:

i)  Commercial logging

ii) Shifting cultivation

iii) For more agricultural and commercial land

iv) Construction of roads and housing

v)  For other human development activities

Deforestation causes:

i)  Soil erosion

ii) Flash flood

iii) Landslide

iv) Global warming

v)  Climatic changes

vi) The loss of biodiversity

vii) Extinction

E) WATER, AIR, THERMAL AND NOISE POLLUTION

Pollution is defined as any undesirable change in the biological, chemical or physical characteristics of our natural environment, caused by the release of harmful substances. Pollution has caused changes to the environment because of irresponsible human activities.

Pollution can be classed into four types as follows:

i)  Air pollution

ii) Water pollution

iii) Thermal pollution

iv) Noise pollution

F) CLIMATE CHANGES

Climatic changes – areas denuded of forest cover becomes hotter and drier, besides contributing to the global warming.

G) EXTINCTION OF WILDLIFE

Many animal and plant which depend on the tropical rainforest for survival become extinct every year.