Notes To Envi Sci

Name: John Fredrick E.
Avellana BSA 1A
Environmental Science
Environmental Problems (Part 2: Associated Problems of Natural Resources)
1. FOREST RESOURCES AND THEIR ASSOCIATED PROBLEMS
Use and over-exploitation.
Although natural ecosystems are essential for the

flourishing of plants and animals, overusing them can
result in serious problems including global warming, food
poverty, climate change, and mineral depletion.
Deforestation
Deforestation is the loss of forest areas for other

uses such as urban development, agricultural crops, or
mining operations. Deforestation has been adversely
harming natural ecosystems, biodiversity, and the climate
since 1960 and has been greatly exacerbated by human
activity.
Timber extraction
As a result of timber extraction, the few remaining kinds

of wood are fragmented and lost to destruction. Important tree,
bird, and wild animal species suffer harm as a result.
Nonetheless, in order to supply a developing nation's needs, it is
occasionally necessary to extract timber. In order to preserve
the remaining forests and biodiversity, cutting, felling, and
handling of timber must be done carefully, selectively, and
according to a plan.
Mining and its effects on forests
In general, mining has a negative impact on the

environment. It contributes significantly to deforestation. Trees
and other vegetation must be removed and burned in order to
mine. Huge bulldozers and excavators are used in large-scale
mining operations to remove the metals and minerals from the
soil when the surface is completely bare.
Dams and their effects on forests and tribal people
Many people are relocated when dams are erected or

forest areas are designated as animal sanctuaries. The
construction of dams compels the inhabitants of the forests to
abandon their homes. Also, it has an impact on the habitat of
wildlife, and as a result of dam construction, animals move to
different areas. The normal flow of water is also hampered,
which has an impact on both plant and animal growth.
2. WATER RESOURCES AND THEIR ASSOCIATED PROBLEMS
Lowering of water table
The most serious effect of excessive groundwater pumping is that

it may lower the water table, the level below which the ground is
saturated with water. Pumping water from a well that extends below
the water table is necessary in order to extract water from the earth.
Overpumping can lower the groundwater table and make it impossible
for wells to access groundwater. The water must be pumped further to
reach the surface as the water table declines, using more energy.
Ground subsidence
The term "land subsidence" refers to the gradual or

abrupt sinking of the Earth's surface caused by the subsurface
movement of earth's elements. Compaction of aquifer systems,
drainage of organic soils, underground mining,
hydrocompaction, naturally occurring compaction, sinkholes,
and permafrost thawing are the main causes of land subsidence.
Drought
Water supply interruptions, cost increases, and decreased

revenues are just a few of the ways that drought can affect water
utility operations. As a result of rising temperatures, there is a greater
need for water for drinking and agricultural irrigation. Visibly dried-out
vegetation and decreased lake and reservoir levels are examples of the
immediate effects of drought. Long-term effects can be more difficult
to detect but more expensive to handle in the future, as ecological
destruction, seawater intrusion, and land subsidence.
Floods
Floodwaters' detrimental effects on coastal marine

environments are mostly caused by the addition of too much silt,
too many nutrients, and contaminants such chemicals, heavy
metals, and trash. They have the potential to harm coastal food
supplies, limit coastal production, and deteriorate aquatic habitats.
Conflicts over water
Water disputes can arise when there is an imbalance

between supply and demand for water resources and
potable water, when access to and allocation of water are
contested rights, or when there are insufficient or
nonexistent water management organizations.
3. MINERAL RESOURCES AND THEIR ASSOCIATED PROBLEMS
Mining and its Process
To be utilized, ores and minerals must be removed

from the interior of the earth. Mining is the name of this
process. Mining is the process of removing economically
viable quantities of rich minerals or other geological
elements from the earth, typically from an ore body, lode,
vein, reef, or seam of coal.
• Prospecting: Searching for minerals.
• Exploration: Assessing the size, shape, location,
• Development: Preparing access to the deposit so the

minerals can be extracted.
• Exploitation: Extracting the minerals from the mines.
Environmental effects of extracting and using minerals
As a result, there may be erosion, sinkholes, a decline

in biodiversity, or chemical contamination of soil,
groundwater, and surface water due to mining processes.
These processes also have an impact on the atmosphere
through carbon emissions, which harm biodiversity and
human health.
1. FOOD RESOURCES AND THEIR ASSOCIATED PROBLEMS
World food problems
Given that there are more people in the globe than

ever before and that there is a constant rise in food
demand. The absence of enough food to feed everyone on
Earth constitutes the world's food crisis. It mostly shows
itself in the Third World's poorest nations, and as those
nations' populations rise, it is now getting worse.
Effects of Modern Agriculture
Climate change, deforestation, biodiversity loss, dead

zones, genetic engineering, irrigation concerns, pollution, soil
degradation, and waste are only a few of the bigger
environmental problems that agriculture contributes to and
that lead to environmental deterioration. Although this system
produces high levels of output, it also contributes to climate
change, pollutes air and water, and deteriorates soil fertility.
Water logging and salinity.
When a plant's root zone has too much water, waterlogging

results because the roots' access to oxygen is reduced. Waterlogging
can significantly impede plant development and output, and in some
cases, it can even result in plant death. The salinity of the soil refers
to its salt content, while salinization is the process of raising the salt
level. Crop development and yield are negatively impacted by salt
and waterlogging together more than either factor acting alone. As a
result of salts rising due to capillary action as a result of
waterlogging, plants have shallow roots, which ultimately renders
the ground unsuitable for farming.
Changes Caused by Over Grazing
Due to greater percentages of bare land, increased wind

erosion, and increased water runoff, together with higher soil
temperatures that speed up evaporation, overgrazing has a
domino effect on the soil that degrades its health. reduced rates
of water infiltration and decreased water storage capacity. Soil
erosion often rises with overgrazing. The land's future natural and
agricultural productivity is harmed by a reduction in soil depth,
organic matter, and fertility.

Notes To Envi Sci

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Notes To Envi Sci

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Notes To Envi Sci

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Name: John Fredrick E.

Environmental Problems (Part 2: Associated Problems of Natural Resources)

1. FOREST RESOURCES AND THEIR ASSOCIATED PROBLEMS

Use and over-exploitation.

Although natural ecosystems are essential for the

Deforestation is the loss of forest areas for other

As a result of timber extraction, the few remaining kinds

Mining and its effects on forests

In general, mining has a negative impact on the

Dams and their effects on forests and tribal people

Many people are relocated when dams are erected or

Lowering of water table

The most serious effect of excessive groundwater pumping is that

The term "land subsidence" refers to the gradual or

Water supply interruptions, cost increases, and decreased

Floodwaters' detrimental effects on coastal marine

Conflicts over water

Water disputes can arise when there is an imbalance

Mining and its Process

To be utilized, ores and minerals must be removed

• Prospecting: Searching for minerals.

• Exploration: Assessing the size, shape, location,

• Development: Preparing access to the deposit so the

• Exploitation: Extracting the minerals from the mines.

Environmental effects of extracting and using minerals

As a result, there may be erosion, sinkholes, a decline

World food problems

Given that there are more people in the globe than

Effects of Modern Agriculture

Climate change, deforestation, biodiversity loss, dead

Water logging and salinity.

When a plant's root zone has too much water, waterlogging

Changes Caused by Over Grazing

Due to greater percentages of bare land, increased wind

You might also like