Notes on 19.
1
Overview
• Human population growth increases pressure on ecosystems.
• Main pressures: food production, habitat destruction, pollution, climate change,
eutrophication, and plastic waste.
• Leads to loss of biodiversity, species extinction, and environmental damage.
Food Production
1. Increased Production Methods
Method Description Effect
Machinery Tractors, harvesters Larger land farmed faster
Fertilisers Add nitrate, phosphate ions Boost crop growth
Insecticides Kill pests (e.g. leafhoppers) Improve yield
Herbicides Kill weeds Reduce competition
Selective breeding Choose parents with good traits Higher yield animals/crops
2. Monocultures
• Growing a single crop variety over a large area.
• Advantages: Efficient machinery use, uniform harvesting, simpler pesticide use, profitable.
• Disadvantages: Low biodiversity, pest outbreaks, higher need for chemicals, soil nutrient loss.
Intensive Livestock Farming
1. Definition
• Keeping many animals in a small area with high input (feed, medicine, temperature control).
• Contrast: Extensive farming uses large areas and natural feed.
2. Advantages
• Produces more food using less land.
• Can be cheaper and prevent hunger.
3. Disadvantages
• Animal welfare issues.
• Spreads disease easily → antibiotics overuse → resistance.
• Waste pollution of land/water.
• Competes with humans for food (e.g. feeding animals soya).
• High energy and water use → environmental impact.
Habitat Destruction
1. Causes
Activity Description
Deforestation Cut forests for farming, building
Mining Removes soil/vegetation, causes toxic runoff
Pollution Kills plants, alters environment
Removing key species Damages food chains (e.g. coral reefs)
2. Consequences
• Species extinction (loss of habitat).
• Loss of biodiversity.
• Soil erosion → flooding.
• Disrupted water cycle (less transpiration = drier climate).
• Poor communities cut forests for survival.
3. Rainforests
• High biodiversity and fragile soil.
• Deforestation leads to permanent damage and climate changes.
• Solutions: Sustainable use and international support.
Pollution & Climate Change
1. Greenhouse Gases
Gas Source Effect
CO₂ Burning fossil fuels, deforestation Traps infrared radiation
Methane Cattle, rice paddies, landfill Stronger GHG than CO₂
2. Greenhouse Effect vs Enhanced Greenhouse Effect
Term Description
Greenhouse effect Natural warming of Earth; essential for life
Enhanced greenhouse effect Increased GHGs trap more heat → global warming
Climate change Long-term change in global temperatures & weather
3. Effects of Climate Change
• Melting ice → rising sea levels.
• Thermal expansion of water.
• Extreme weather (e.g. stronger hurricanes, droughts, floods).
• Risk to low-lying countries and major cities.
• Solution ideas:
o Reduce fossil fuel use.
o Improve energy efficiency (insulation, traffic flow).
o Use renewables (solar, wind).
o Reduce waste, recycle.
Eutrophication
1. Definition
• Water pollution from fertilisers and sewage → low oxygen → aquatic life dies.
2. Process
1. Fertiliser/sewage runoff → water body.
2. Extra nitrate/phosphate causes algal bloom.
3. Algae block light → submerged plants die.
4. Dead matter decomposed by aerobic bacteria.
5. Bacteria use up dissolved oxygen → fish die.
3. Sources
• Nitrate fertilisers (leaching).
• Animal waste (slurry, silage runoff).
• Untreated sewage (feeds bacteria).
4. Prevention
• Use organic fertilisers (slower nutrient release).
• Apply only during crop growth, not before rain.
• Avoid near rivers.
• Treat all sewage before release.
Non-Biodegradable Plastics
1. Definition
• Non-biodegradable = not broken down by decomposers.
2. Problems
Issue Impact
Land/sea pollution Unsightly and toxic to life
Animal harm Turtles, birds eat plastics thinking it's food
Trapping Animals get stuck in containers
Hermit crabs Die in plastic traps → attracts more crabs
Summary Table
Issue Cause Effect Solution
Machinery,
Food Production Habitat loss, pollution Efficient but careful farming
chemicals
Pest outbreaks, low
Monocultures Same crop Crop rotation, mixed cropping
biodiversity
Livestock
Intensive systems Waste, disease, water use Balance production & welfare
Farming
Deforestation,
Habitat Loss Extinction, erosion Reforestation, protection laws
mining
Climate Change CO₂ & methane Global warming Cut emissions, renewables
Control fertiliser use, sewage
Eutrophication Fertilisers/sewage Oxygen depletion
treatment
Plastic Pollution Waste disposal Animal death, pollution Reduce, reuse, recycle
Worksheet: Human Pressures on Ecosystems (Chapter 19.1)
Name: ___________________________
Class: ___________________________
Date: ___________________________
1. Define the following terms:
a) Monoculture:
b) Eutrophication:
c) Greenhouse effect:
d) Intensive farming:
e) Non-biodegradable:
2. List three ways in which modern agriculture has increased food production.
Explain how each one contributes to higher yields.
1.
2.
3.
3. Compare monoculture farming with natural ecosystems.
Include two advantages and two disadvantages.
Advantages:
1.
2.
Disadvantages:
1.
2.
4. How does selective breeding increase food production?
Give two examples.
5. Describe three environmental problems caused by intensive livestock farming.
1.
2.
3.
6. What is habitat destruction?
Give three human activities that cause it and explain their effects.
7. List five harmful effects of deforestation.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
8. Explain how deforestation can lead to:
a) Soil erosion:
b) Changes in rainfall patterns:
9. Describe the difference between the greenhouse effect and enhanced greenhouse effect.
What are the causes and consequences?
10. List two sources of methane and explain how it contributes to global warming.
Source 1: _________________________________________________
Source 2: _________________________________________________
Contribution to climate change:
11. Describe two effects of sea level rise on human populations.
1.
2.
12. What is eutrophication?
Describe the process using: nitrate, algae, bacteria, oxygen, fish.
13. Compare biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials.
Why are plastics dangerous to aquatic animals?
14. Suggest four strategies to reduce the impact of agriculture on ecosystems.
1.
2.
3.
4.
15. Describe how human activities contribute to climate change.
Suggest two ways governments can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Contribution:
Government solutions:
1.
2.
Answer
1. Define the following terms:
a) Monoculture:
The practice of growing a single type of crop over a large area of land.
b) Eutrophication:
A process where excess nutrients in water lead to rapid algae growth, reduced oxygen, and death of
aquatic life.
c) Greenhouse effect:
The natural process where gases like CO₂ trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, keeping it warm enough
to support life.
d) Intensive farming:
Farming that uses high levels of input (e.g., feed, fertilisers, machinery) to maximise yield in a small
area.
e) Non-biodegradable:
Materials that cannot be broken down by natural decomposers, causing long-term environmental
pollution.
2. Three ways modern agriculture has increased food production:
1. Agricultural machinery
→ Allows farmers to cultivate larger areas more quickly and efficiently.
2. Use of fertilisers and pesticides
→ Fertilisers increase nutrient availability; pesticides reduce losses from pests and weeds.
3. Selective breeding
→ Produces higher-yield varieties of crops and animals with desirable traits.
3. Compare monoculture farming with natural ecosystems:
Advantages:
1. Easier and faster harvesting with machinery
2. Uniform crop growth increases market value
Disadvantages:
1. Reduces biodiversity
2. Increases vulnerability to pests and diseases
4. How does selective breeding increase food production?
It improves traits in plants and animals such as higher yields, disease resistance, or faster growth.
Examples:
• Cows bred for higher milk production
• Wheat bred for greater grain yield
5. Environmental problems caused by intensive livestock farming:
1. Water and land pollution from animal waste
2. Overuse of antibiotics can cause resistance in bacteria
3. High energy and water use
6. What is habitat destruction?
The process where natural habitats are altered or removed by human activity, making them unsuitable
for wildlife.
Examples:
• Deforestation → loss of forest species
• Mining → destroys soil and vegetation
• Urban development → replaces natural land with buildings
7. Five harmful effects of deforestation:
1. Loss of biodiversity
2. Soil erosion
3. Reduced rainfall
4. Climate change from less CO₂ absorption
5. Increased flooding
8. Deforestation leads to:
a) Soil erosion:
Without tree roots, rain washes away topsoil, making the land infertile.
b) Changes in rainfall patterns:
Less transpiration from trees leads to drier air and reduced rainfall.
9. Greenhouse effect vs. enhanced greenhouse effect:
Greenhouse effect is a natural warming process.
Enhanced greenhouse effect is caused by increased emissions (CO₂, methane) from human
activities, leading to global warming and climate change.
10. Two sources of methane and contribution to global warming:
Source 1: Cattle digestion
Source 2: Rice paddy fields
Contribution: Traps more heat in the atmosphere than CO₂, accelerating climate change
11. Effects of sea level rise on humans:
1. Flooding of coastal cities and farmland
2. Forced relocation of communities in low-lying areas
12. Eutrophication process:
Excess nitrates cause algae to grow rapidly → algae block sunlight → plants below die → bacteria
decompose dead plants using up oxygen → fish die from lack of oxygen
13. Biodegradable vs. Non-biodegradable & plastics’ danger:
Biodegradable materials break down naturally; non-biodegradable do not.
Plastics can choke animals or block their digestive systems, often being mistaken for food.
14. Four strategies to reduce agricultural impact:
1. Use organic fertilisers
2. Rotate crops instead of monoculture
3. Reduce pesticide use
4. Maintain hedgerows and natural habitats
15. Human contributions to climate change & government solutions:
Contribution:
Burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and methane emissions increase greenhouse gases
Government solutions:
1. Invest in renewable energy sources
2. Enforce emission regulations and carbon taxes