Environmental Biology Assignment

HUMAN POPULATION Explosion & ITS IMPACT ON THE

ENVIRONMENT
Submitted to: Prof. Abdul Majid
Submitted By:

Muqadas Batool: BOTN63S23Ro17

Sania Akram: BOTN63S23Ro18

Humna: BOTN63S23Ro19

Class: BS 5th Intake 4th semester regular

Department of Botany

UNIVERSITY OF SARGODHA
Impact of Human Population Growth on Environment

1. Introduction

Population growth is the increase in the number of humans on Earth.

Man is continuously trying to tame the nature for his benefit. Domestication of environmental
elements up to the threshold level is not harmful to natural balance. However, excessive use or
rather misuse of environmental resources makes the environment vulnerable. With an increasing
population, natural and man induced environmental disasters are causing increasing damage, loss
of life and displacement of population. The dimensions of human vulnerability to environmental
conditions have socio-economic as well as ecological dimensions which are strongly being
manifested when the communities are not capable of coping with the impacts.
The rapid population growth and economic development in country are degrading the
environment through the uncontrolled growth of urbanization and industrialization, expansion
and intensification of agriculture, and the destruction of natural habitats.

. Environment and Ecological Consequences

2.2. Acidification

2.3.Global Warming

2.3.1.Ozone Depletion

2.4. Urbanization

2.5. Change due to disposal of waste material

2.6. Desertification

2.7. Water Supply

2.8. Food Security

2.9. Nutrition

Farming impacts

Deforestation

Eutrophication

Loss of freshwater

Global warming and climate change

Extinction of species
Increased habitat loss

Depletion of natural resources

Increased emergence of new epidemics and pandemics

Elevation in the crime rate

Impact of Population Growth

1. Environment and Ecological Consequences

1.1 Environmental Deterioration: Rapid population growth often leads to environmental

damage. In many developing countries, this growth puts immense pressure on land, causing
problems such as fragmentation of land holdings, collapsing fisheries, shrinking forests, rising
temperatures, and the loss of plant and animal species. For instance, in India, 70-80% of
freshwater marshes and lakes in the Gangetic floodplains have been lost over the last 50 years.
Key issues include:

a) Deforestation: Cutting down tropical forests and destroying mangroves for commercial
purposes or fuel affects ecosystems.

b)Wildlife Threats: Poaching and illegal wildlife harvesting disrupt ecosystems.

c)Agricultural Expansion: Increasing agricultural land and the use of chemical fertilizers,
pesticides, and weedicides lead to problems like water stagnation, soil erosion, and reduced
productivity.

d) Water Pollution:Sewage, pesticides, fertilizers, and industrial waste damage coastal and
aquatic ecosystems.
2. Acidification

Acidic substances like sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), mainly from burning
fossil fuels, can travel long distances before turning into acids (sulfuric and nitric acids). These
acids alter soil and water chemistry, harming ecosystems. For example:

a)Forest Decline: Acidification has contributed to forest damage in Europe and ‘dead’ lakes in
Scandinavia and Canada.

b)Ozone Issues: Nitrogen oxides also contribute to ozone problems, affecting both air quality
and water bodies.

3. Global Warming

Global Warming: Human activities have significantly increased greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere, leading to a rise in Earth's average temperature by 1.3°F over the past century. This
warming affects agriculture, water supplies, and biodiversity. Expected impacts include:

a) Intensified Storms: Hurricanes and typhoons are likely to become stronger.

b) Changed Precipitation Patterns: Increased precipitation in high latitudes and decreased in

subtropical areas.

#### 2.3.1. Ozone Depletion

4. **Ozone Depletion:** The ozone layer, which protects Earth from harmful UV rays, is being
depleted due to human activities. The ozone layer, located 10-17 kilometers above Earth, absorbs
most UV radiation. Key points include:

- **Ozone Hole:** Areas with severe ozone depletion, called "ozone holes," have been
observed in Antarctica and the Arctic.

- **Health Impacts:** Increased UV rays reaching Earth can cause skin cancers, eye damage,
and affect aquatic life.

#### 2.4. Urbanization

5. **Urbanization:** Since 1960, the population living in cities has almost doubled in
developing countries and increased significantly in developed regions. By 2030, nearly 5 billion
people are expected to live in cities. Urbanization brings both benefits and problems:

- **Improvements:** Better access to education, jobs, and healthcare.

- **Problems:** Rapid urban growth leads to inadequate basic services, increased waste
generation, and poor waste management. This contributes to environmental deterioration and
social issues like poverty and slum development.

#### 2.5. Waste Disposal

6. **Waste Disposal:** High population densities and energy use in urban areas lead to large
amounts of waste. Problems include:

- **Sewage:** Can promote bacterial growth, causing pollution in countries like India and the
Philippines.

- **Industrial Waste:** Includes chemicals and heavy metals, which pose serious health risks.

- **Nuclear Waste:** Radioactive waste from nuclear reactors creates environmental and
health hazards.
#### 2.6. Desertification

7. **Desertification:** This is the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid
regions due to human activity, such as overgrazing, deforestation, and agricultural expansion. It
results in reduced land productivity and worsens with climatic changes. Key causes are:

- **Overuse of Resources:** Exceeding the land's natural capacity.

- **Climate Changes:** Intensifying the degradation process.

#### 2.7. Water Supply

8. **Water Supply:** The demand for water often exceeds the available supply, leading to water
stress for about 8% of the global population. By 2020, a quarter of the world may face severe
water shortages. Problems include:

- **Water Logging and Salinity:** Excessive water use can lead to water logging and salinity
issues, affecting agricultural productivity.

- **Contamination:** Poor water quality impacts health and the environment.

#### 2.8. Food Security

9. **Food Security:** Defined as having reliable access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.
With the global population expected to reach 9 billion by 2050, food production must double.
Issues include:

- **Increased Vulnerability:** High reliance on a few crops and intense farming can make
food supplies more vulnerable to diseases and pests.
 - **Land Use:** Expanding agricultural land often means converting natural habitats, which
can have negative environmental impacts.

#### 2.9. Nutrition

10. **Nutrition:** Rapid environmental changes affect the relationship between people and their
ecosystems, leading to nutritional challenges. Key concerns are:

- **Health Issues:** Environmental degradation can lead to malnutrition and diseases.

- **Resource Strain:** Overpopulation and environmental problems affect the availability of

nutritious food.

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Certainly! Here’s a detailed explanation of each of the mentioned impacts in the context of rapid
population growth and environmental changes:

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### Farming Impacts

**Farming Impacts:** As the global population grows, there is an increased demand for food,
which often leads to more intensive agricultural practices. These impacts include:

- **Soil Degradation:** Overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides can lead to soil health
decline, reduced fertility, and erosion.

- **Water Use:** Intensive farming requires large amounts of water for irrigation, which can
deplete local water sources and contribute to water scarcity.

- **Pollution:** Runoff from farms can carry pesticides and fertilizers into nearby water bodies,
leading to water pollution and affecting aquatic ecosystems.

### Deforestation

**Deforestation:** The removal of forests for agricultural expansion, logging, and urban
development has significant consequences:

- **Biodiversity Loss:** Forests are home to a vast number of species; deforestation leads to
habitat loss and the extinction of numerous plant and animal species.

- **Climate Impact:** Forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere. Their
destruction contributes to increased atmospheric CO2 levels and exacerbates global warming.

- **Disruption of Water Cycles:** Trees play a crucial role in maintaining regional water cycles;
deforestation can lead to reduced rainfall and altered weather patterns.

### Eutrophication

**Eutrophication:** This process occurs when water bodies receive excess nutrients (mainly
nitrogen and phosphorus) from sources such as agricultural runoff:
- **Algal Blooms:** Nutrient-rich runoff can cause rapid growth of algae in water bodies,
leading to harmful algal blooms.

- **Oxygen Depletion:** When algae die and decompose, it depletes oxygen in the water,
causing hypoxia (low oxygen levels) that can lead to fish kills and other aquatic life issues.

- **Loss of Biodiversity:** Eutrophication can disrupt aquatic ecosystems, leading to a decline

in biodiversity.

### Loss of Freshwater

**Loss of Freshwater:** Increased population and consumption put immense pressure on

freshwater resources:

- **Over-extraction:** Excessive withdrawal of freshwater for agricultural, industrial, and

personal use can deplete rivers, lakes, and aquifers.

- **Contamination:** Pollution from agricultural runoff, industrial waste, and sewage can
degrade water quality, making it unsafe for consumption and harming aquatic ecosystems.

- **Water Scarcity:** Regions experiencing high population growth may face severe water
shortages, impacting agriculture, drinking water supplies, and overall quality of life.

### Global Warming and Climate Change

**Global Warming and Climate Change:** Human activities, including increased greenhouse
gas emissions, are causing significant changes in the Earth's climate:

- **Rising Temperatures:** The average global temperature is increasing, leading to more

frequent and severe heatwaves.
- **Melting Ice:** Polar ice caps and glaciers are melting, contributing to rising sea levels and
coastal erosion.

- **Extreme Weather:** Increased global temperatures can lead to more intense and frequent
extreme weather events such as hurricanes, droughts, and floods.

### Extinction of Species

**Extinction of Species:** The rapid loss of natural habitats and environmental changes are
leading to the extinction of many species:

- **Habitat Destruction:** Activities like deforestation, urbanization, and pollution destroy the
habitats that species rely on.

- **Climate Change:** Altered climate conditions can disrupt ecosystems and lead to conditions
that species cannot adapt to or survive.

- **Overexploitation:** Overhunting, fishing, and trade in wildlife contribute to the decline and
extinction of species.

### Increased Habitat Loss

**Increased Habitat Loss:** The conversion of natural landscapes for agriculture, urban
development, and infrastructure projects leads to significant habitat loss:

- **Ecosystem Disruption:** Loss of habitat can disrupt entire ecosystems, affecting not just
individual species but the ecological balance.

- **Fragmentation:** Even if some habitat remains, it may be fragmented into isolated patches,
making it difficult for species to migrate, find food, or reproduce.
### Depletion of Natural Resources

**Depletion of Natural Resources:** Rapid population growth increases the demand for natural
resources, leading to their overexploitation:

- **Minerals and Metals:** Overuse of mineral resources for construction, technology, and
industry can lead to shortages and environmental degradation.

- **Forests and Water:** Over-harvesting of forests and excessive water use can deplete these
vital resources, leading to long-term sustainability issues.

### Increased Emergence of New Epidemics and Pandemics

**Increased Emergence of New Epidemics and Pandemics:** Environmental changes and

population growth can contribute to the spread of diseases:

- **Urbanization:** Crowded urban areas can facilitate the spread of infectious diseases.

- **Climate Change:** Altered climates can expand the range of vectors (e.g., mosquitoes) that
spread diseases like malaria and dengue fever.

- **Deforestation:** Disruption of natural habitats can increase human contact with wildlife,
potentially leading to zoonotic diseases (diseases transmitted from animals to humans).

### Elevation in the Crime Rate

**Elevation in the Crime Rate:** Environmental and social stressors associated with rapid
population growth can lead to increased crime rates:

- **Economic Stress:** High population densities and limited resources can lead to economic
disparities and social unrest, which may increase crime.

- **Urbanization:** Rapid urban growth and inadequate infrastructure can contribute to higher
crime rates in cities.

- **Poverty:** Areas experiencing high levels of poverty and unemployment may see higher
crime rates as individuals seek to meet their basic needs.