Destruction of Ecosystem: Ecology and Environment Notes for UPSC

The topic regarding the destruction of the ecosystem is an important topic in the Ecology section of the IAS Exam

As per the World Economic Forum (WEF), a few points on the ecosystem are mentioned below:

1. Based on a study, around 1.9 million square kilometres of undisturbed ecosystems have been lost between 2000 and 2013.
2. 58.4% of Earth’s land ecosystems were under “moderate or intense” pressure from human activity between the same time frame.

This article will provide you with relevant information on Ecosystem Destruction.

Ecosystem Destruction – Introduction

An ecosystem is a collection of plants, animals and other living organisms that share the space and benefits of an environment. 

In an ecosystem, every organism comes with a specified role and function. Thus disturbing the balance of an ecosystem will prove to be disastrous for every living thing that relies upon it.

It can be said that the Earth is an ecosystem on a much gigantic scale. When external factors such as pollution through carbon dioxide and methane, the balance of the ecosystem is disturbed to such an extent that it will affect everyone living in it.

Some of these disturbances are what cause natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis etc. 

Destruction of Ecosystem – UPSC Notes:- Download PDF Here

What are the causes of ecosystem destruction?

When an ecosystem is stable and healthy, it is called a sustainable environment. This means that it is capable of sustaining itself and reproducing. Sustainable ecosystems have biodiversity. There’s a variety of species and organisms living there and contributing. The causes that will destroy such an environment are given below:

1. Ecosystem destruction is already happening at an alarming rate. As per a research study published by Forbes in February 2020, over the next 20 years, scientists estimate about 70% to 90% of all coral reefs will disappear. This is due to warming ocean waters, ocean acidity, and pollution.
2. Deforestation is caused by Illegal logging and human need and progress. As per the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), “Between 2015 and 2020, the rate of deforestation was estimated at 10 million hectares per year, down from 16 million hectares per year in the 1990s. The area of primary forest worldwide has decreased by over 80 million hectares since 1990.”
3. As per WWF’s Living Planet Report 2020, 1 million species (10 lakhs animals, plants and insects) are threatened with extinction.
4. Habitat loss is endangering our animal species. Apex predators such as the lion, tiger leopard and even the majestic mountain gorillas are all being threatened by habitat loss.
5. “Of the total 1,28,918 species assessed by IUCN:
   • 902 are ‘Extinct’
   • 80 are ‘Extinct in the Wild’
   • 7,762 are ‘Critically Endangered’
   • 13,285 are ‘Endangered’
   • 14,718 are ‘Vulnerable’
   • 7,644 are ‘Near Threatened’
   • 66,469 are of ‘Least Concern’.
6. Humans destroy ecosystems. The lifestyle of the human species is quite self-destructive, to say the least as it creates pollution along with the criminal overuse of natural resources. Construction of infrastructure like roads, hunting of animals, clearing the planet of trees are just some of the factors accelerating the destruction of the ecosystem. At the rate at which resources are being consumed, there may not be any left for future generations.

What will be the impact of ecosystem destruction?

The impact of ecosystem destruction are the following:

• Increased flooding due to the erosion of soil and lack of trees.
• Climate change causes the sea levels rising due to the melting of the glaciers.
• More a likelihood that natural disasters such as tsunamis, earthquakes, droughts will be commonplace.
• Disruption of the food chain when the apex predators become extinct.
• Water shortage – the supply of fresh drinking water is limited with only a few water bodies being fit for human consumption.
• Food shortage as the lands become barren and the oceans become devoid of fish and other marine life
• Loss of biodiversity as a whole species of living things disappear due to deforestation
• Pollution will eventually become unmanageable and affect the health of the human population. Rising temperatures may be too much to bear for every living organism on the planet.

Read related articles linked below:

What will be the ultimate impact of ecosystem destruction?

It is with no exaggeration that it can be said that the earth is heading for destruction. But efforts are being made to address these global concerns. People are becoming more aware that the little things that they do every day do have an effect – whether negatively or positively is up to discretion.

Every aspect of our ecosystem is important – because when one goes, the rest will follow.

Imagine this scenario… When the global temperature continues to rise, the glaciers will melt. The sea levels will rise and coastal cities will be inundated, killing millions of people. Economies will stop and will be severely burdened in trying to sustain everyone. Farms will be flooded, there will be no food.

It goes on and none of it is a pretty picture. So while we still can, let’s do our share to stop degrading our ecosystems. Our lives depend on all of us interacting in a sustainable environment.

There are various important environment conventions/protocols/summits targeting environment issues to save the earth. A few important ones are linked below:

Destruction of Ecosystem – UPSC Notes:-Download PDF Here

For more notes on the environment and ecology, visit the linked article.

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