EFFECTS OF URBANIZATION ON THE

ECOSYSTEM

PRESENTED BY

HOPESON ELI ETSRA

PRESENTATION OUTLINE

• Introduction

• Effects of Urbanization

• Effect of Urbanization on the Ecosystem

• Conclusion

• Recommendation

INTRODUCTION

• Urbanization is a population shift from rural to urban areas

• Towns and cities are formed and become larger as more people live and work in these cities.

• Large areas of land and vegetations are cleared to put up residential and industrial structures.

• Ecosystem is a biological community of interacting organisms and their environment

CLEARING LAND AND WATER FOR URBANIZATION

Source: www.youtube.com

CLEARING OF LAND FOR URBANIZATION

Source: ghanabusinessnews.com

“The impacts of urbanization on native species are

poorly studied, but educating a highly urbanized

human population about these impacts can greatly

improve species conservation in all Ecosystems.”

(McKinny 2002)

EFFECTS OF URBANIZATION

• Economic Effects

- Employment

- High cost of living

• Social Effects

- Provision of institutions like hospitals, banks and schools

- Increase crime rates

- Living in slums

EFFECTS OF URBANIZATION (CONT’D)

• Health Effects

- Poor Sanitation

- Outbreak of contagious diseases

• Environmental Effects

- Urban heat islands

- Pollution

EFFECT OF URBANIZATION ON THE ECOSYSTEM

Habitat destruction (Terrestrial and aquatic)

• Terrestrial

- Loss of existing vegetation

- Fragmentation of habitats and vegetation

- Competition for resources

• Aquatic

- Building on water bodies

- Construction of bridges

- Release of pollutants from construction sites into water bodies

Pollution (Water, Air, Land, Heat and Noise)

• Water pollution

- Pollution during construction and waste disposal

- Eutrophication

• Air pollution

-The quality of air is affected and this can result in respiratory

diseases

-The release of gases like sulphur and nitrogen into the atmosphere

can result in acid rain through reaction with atmospheric water

• Land pollution

- Landfill sites

- Leakages from underground fuel and septic tanks

• Heat pollution

- Urban heat islands

- Release of hot fluids into water bodies

• Noise pollution

- Traffics

-Hawkers

- Industries

-Households

SOLID WASTE PROBLEM IN URBAN AREAS

Source: greenghanaianwordpress.com

AIR POLLUTION

Source: jtongo0724.wordpress.com

FLOODING IN URBAN AREAS

Source: thebritishgeographer.weebly.com

According to McKinny (2002), studies has shown that animal species are most affected by urbanization. He stated that the level of urbanization determines the effect on the ecosystem. He concluded that moderate urbanization rather increase species richness in plant because of introduction by human activities, but this reduces with high levels of urbanization and disturbance.

CONCLUSION

• Urbanization is of great importance to the economy, but must be controlled

• The impacts of urbanization are very significant on the ecosystem

• There should be measures to reduce the effects of urbanization on the environment.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Infrastructural development at rural areas

• Enforcement of environmental standards

• New and better agricultural techniques

• Education

THANK YOU !