What are harmful effects on ecosystem?

Answer 1

Harmful Effects on the Ecosystem: Pollution of LandImproper disposal of waste from homes, offices, hospitals, stores and factories causes garbage to pile up. Open dump sites destroy the beuty of a place. They also provide breeding places for rats and flies, which are harmful to people. Topsoil is an important part of the land, When farmers use too much inorganic fertilizers, the soil loses some of its nutrients that are needed by plants. This is because the fertilizers limit the ability of decomposers to break down waste in soil. Pesticides sprayed on plants do not decompose easily. They may kill people and animals who eat the plants. Mining operations contaminate the soil with poison from metals. When land is polluted, the nutrient cycle may be disrupted. Pollution of Water Pollution of water is harmful to plant and animal life. Take for example, life in a pond ecosystem. Here, algae are the food producers. Some fish eat algae. Some big fish eat smaller fish. Life in the pond can be disrupted. Many people use detergents for washing clothes. When laundry water is drained into a pond, the water becomes polluted. The polluted water contains phosphorus and nitrogen which are nutrients needed by plants in making food. The plants in the pond will grow fast until they cover the whole pond. When the nutrients are all used up, the plants will die. As decomposers feed on dead plants, they use up much oxygen in the water, so the fish has less oxygen to use. When the oxygen in the water is used up, the fish will die. Eventually, the pond will also die. Sewage water may contaminatedrinking water supplies. Contaminated water can make people and animals sick. Leachate is liquid runoff from dumpsites that seeps into the groundwater. Leachate may have contaminants such as lead. Pollution of Air Greenhouse Effect Burning of fuels releases more carbon dioxide into the air than the forests can recycle. Too much carbon dioside in air traps heat which otherwise should escape to space. When heat cannot escape, air becomes warm. The rising temperatures can cause a change in climates. When the climate becomes warm, the ice caps in the polar regions would melt and cause flooding of coastal communities in many countries. Acid Rain The gases released by some industries and motor vehicles contain chemicals that make rainwater acidis (sour). Acid rain can kill plants and animals on land. It can also kill plants and animals in water. Acid rain can also damage buildings and statues.