Impact of human activity on the natural environment

Humans are a part of the natural environment. Unfortunately, we have not yet learnt to moderate our activities in such a way as to help the environment. Human activities often lead to degradation of the environment.

Impact of humans include:

• Pollution - land, freshwater creeks and rivers, seas and oceans, and air
• Deforestation and destruction of habitats
• Endangerment and extinction of various plants and animal species.                     
• Fertile lands being turned to deserts.
• Interfering with the natural  cycles of the world       
•  Overuse of natural resources, resulting in depletion of some of these resources        
• Development of extreme weather conditions which is leading to global warming and rising sea levels         
• Increased erosion of land as a result of mining or agricultural activities

       There have been some neutral impacts. Native people in many lands have lived in harmony with their environment for thousands of years and have not harmed nature in anyway

Fortunately, man is learning though a little too late and there are activities that he is undertaking to conserve whatever is left of the environment. :-

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• Conservation, monitoring of and captive breeding programmes for endangered species       
• Restoring degraded ecosystems by planting trees specifically native to the area, and removing introduced species         
  
• Removal of pollutant materials

Harmful Effect Of Deforestation

Most of all of the parts of the world we live trees, so that trees and animals and, indeed, a great following for the sake of us all. It is important to the climate of hate to do because of the carbon dioxide. Forests known as the home of countless species for protection. However, the wood for the planet rapidly depleted. According to estimation, than the 50 percent of the forests vanished out of human actions. Removal of trees of the forest trees of our country is said to turn it into deforestation.

Also the author of deforestation as people age, which is unheard of in the middle of 1800 that destroyed the forest began. Negative impact on biodiversity loss and one in the world today, massive destruction of forests, but at the same time adds to the importance of affect Holocene extinction

•    What are the Causes of Deforestation?

The causes of deforestation include many factors. The destruction of the forests was due to the reasons, one of the principal reasons that in the short term economic benefits. The corruption of government institutions, wealth and power due to the harvesting of the forest wealth, population growth and urbanization are the common causes.

•    Urban Construction 
•   Agriculture
•   Grazing Land
•    Illegal Logging
•   Commercial Purposes

What are the Effects of Deforestation?

There are a number of adverse effects, that include environmental and economical. Some of these effects are discussed below:

•    Erosion of Soil

When forest areas are cleared, it results in exposing the soil to the sun, making it very dry and eventually, infertile, due to volatile nutrients such as nitrogen being lost. In addition, when there is rainfall, it washes away the rest of the nutrients, which flow with the rainwater into waterways. Because of this, merely replanting trees may not help in solving the problems caused by deforestation, for by the time the trees mature, the soil will be totally devoid of essential nutrients. Ultimately, cultivation in this land will also become impossible, resulting in the land becoming useless. Large tracts of land will be rendered permanently impoverished due to soil erosion.

•   Loss of Biodiversity

 The unique biodiversity of various geographical areas is being lost on a scale that is quite unprecedented. Even though tropical rainforest make up just 6 percent of the surface area of the Earth, about 80-90 percent of the entire species of the world exist here

•   Disruption of the Water Cycle

 Trees contribute in a large way in maintaining the water cycle. They draw up water via their roots, which is then released into the atmosphere. A large part of the water that circulates in the ecosystem of rainforests, for instance, remains inside the plants. When these trees are cut down it results in the climate getting drier in that area

•   Flooding and Drought

One of the vital functions of forests is to absorb and store great amounts of water quickly when there are heavy rains.

•    Climate Change

It is well-known that global warming is being caused largely due to emissions of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. However, what is not known quite as well is that deforestation has a direction association with carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. Trees act as a major storage depot for carbon, since they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which is then used to produce carbohydrates, fats, and proteins that make up trees

These are just a few of the causes and effects of deforestation. The consequences are very unpleasant as every form of life on earth is interlinked with one another. Not only do animals lose their homes, but humans dependent on the local ecology are also affected. The water cycle gets disturbed leading to floods and droughts. People dependent on the forests for their survival lose their livelihood. Global warming is another problem looming over our heads. The causes and its effects of this destructive practice can be stopped to some extent, if we all do our bit towards the environment.

Save Water, Save The Planet

There are a number of ways to save water, and they all start with you.

Save Water Save Life And Save The World

1.  When washing dishes Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.
2. Some refrigerators, air conditioners and ice-makers are cooled with wasted flows of water. Ugrade your air-cooled appliances for significant water savings.
3. Adjust your sprinklers to spread only on your lawn
4. Wash your clothes in the washer and dishwasher only when they are full.
5. Choose shrubs and groundcovers instead of turf for hard-to-water areas such as steep slopes and isolated strips.
6. Install covers on pools and spas and check for leaks around your pumps
7. Use the garbage disposal sparingly.
8. Plant in the more rainy season and when the temperatures are cooler
9. For cold drinks keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap.
10. Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water meter can help you discover leaks.
11. Water your lawn and garden in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler to minimize evaporation.
12.  Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.
13. Spreading a layer of organic soil around plants retains moisture and saves water, time and money.
14. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk to save water every time
15. Collect the water you use for rinsing fruits and vegetables, then reuse it to water houseplants.
16. If water runs off your lawn easily, split your watering time into shorter periods to allow for better absorption.
17. Check for leaks indoors, but don't forget to check for leaks in outdoor faucets, sprinklers and hoses .
18. If you have an automatic refilling device, check your pool periodically for leaks.
19. Check the your lawn or garden for moisture before watering using a spade or trowel. If it's still moist two inches under the soil surface, you still have enough water.  
20. When buying new appliances, consider those that offer cycle and load size adjustments.
21. Shorten the time you take to shower.
22. Upgrade older toilets with water efficient models.
23. Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn shades roots and holds soil moisture better than if it is closely clipped.
24. When cleaning out fish tanks, give the nutrient-rich water to your plants.