Impact of Human Activity on Ecosystems By: Orlando Bloom, Kayon Lecky, Isaac Cuevas, and Miguel Carbonell

Impact of Agriculture upon Terrestrial ecosystem Pesticides, toxic chemicals used to control pests, weeds, and pathogens, are used for agricultural production, usually in the developed countries, to decrease crop damage by intensive agriculture. MEDC(USA): US has used a considerable amount of DDT on crops MEDC(Canada): Though having strict regulations, Canada still uses pesticides. LEDC(China): China uses glyphosate herbicide on crops LEDC(Egypt): Egypt uses DDT for both agriculture and indoor

Impact of Deforestation upon Terrestrial ecosystem Deforestation is the clearing of forests to obtain lumber and provide space for either agricultural zones or urban development. As a result, deforestation is a major factor contributing to climate change. MEDC(Canada): Large timber organizations contribute to deforestation as well as to make room for tar extraction for oil. MEDC(Germany): Major extraction of highly valued natural resources from the Black Forest LEDC(China): Large amounts of bamboo are being cut down to make space or sell merchandise. LEDC(Brazil): Amazon rainforest is being cut down for space and companies’ interests.

Impact of Exploitation upon Terrestrial ecosystem Exploitation, the action of treating something unfairly in order to benefit from their work, can inevitably lead to considerable amounts of alterations and impacts to the terrestrial ecosystems. MEDC(America): Exploits forests and rivers for economic interests MEDC(Australia): Exploiting animals through hunting and illegal wildlife trade LEDC(Indonesia): Chops trees and fields for extraction of oil LEDC(China): Hunting and chopping bamboo

Impact of Fires upon Terrestrial ecosystem Forest fires, occurs naturally as a result from human activity, is used to remove trees and other plant debris in order to prepare land for alternative uses. Though if out of control, it can devastate vast amounts of land and wildlife. MEDC(Canada): Fort McMurray’s fire lasted for a month MEDC(America): California has multiple fires due to the drought LEDC(South Africa): Cape Town had to contain the fire from 106 types of vegetations LEDC(Madagascar): Most fires are human made, causing smoke to spread

Plagioclimax Community Any area or habitat that is influenced by human activity and prevented from further development and succession. Ex: Monoculture is an example of how humans limit the potential of a certain area in order to benefit themselves and prevent the growth of different vegetation. MEDC: USA- monoculture to grow wheat LEDC: Nigeria- overgrazing does not allow plant life to further develop.

Arrested Succession An area or habitat that suffers from arrested succession will be prevented from further developing. Arrested succession is the inability of an area to further progress. Ex: Human activity and interference will cause the arrested succession of a certain area through unsustainable agricultural methods which manipulates what vegetation will grow. Mining operations also prevent development due to the constant breaking up of the land. LEDC: Brazil- deforestation of amazon for agricultural use. MEDC: England- The use of forest land for a source of timber.

Loss of biodiversity This is the loss of diversity amongst the species of animals that live in a given environment such as a forest or desert. Ex: The deforestation of the amazon kills off many different types of species which contributes to the loss of biodiversity in the rainforest. MEDC: Australia- Loss of Great Barrier Reef. LEDC: India- escalation of human population interferes with natural habitats.

The effect of clearing rain forests for industrial and agricultural use Loss of biodiversity, endangering of animal and plant life, and the weakening of soil all occur when land is cleared Agriculutral use of rainforest land leads to overuse of certain resources, death of local animal life and the use of fertilizer once the land becomes overused Examples of this included soy production in the amazons in states of mato grosso and para Industrial use of rain forest land pollutes the land and uses oil in trees, it also uses the wood in ways to benifit them- examples of this include palm oil production in indonesia and malaysia