Theory question 208
The Ecosystem(a) Define ecosystem. (b) Describe any four ways in which man has interfered with the ecosystem. (c) With specific examples, outline three effects of man's interference with the ecosystem.
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(a) An ecosystem is a community of plants and animals interacting with one another and with their non-living environment (soil, water, air, sunlight) in an area.
(b) Deforestation (lumbering, farming, urbanisation); bush burning; mining and quarrying; pollution of air, water and land; overgrazing; hunting and fishing; building of dams; use of fertilisers and pesticides; urbanisation and road building.
(c) Soil erosion and gullies (e.g. Agulu-Nanka, Anambra); desertification in northern Nigeria; loss of wildlife and plant species (extinction); oil pollution killing fish in the Niger Delta; global warming and climate change; flooding; acid rain; loss of soil fertility.
Give a real example with each effect.