Unit1-Lecture-L1-3

Lecture Overview

• Course: Environmental Science ASM-101

• Instructor: Dr. Adnan Mateen Qadri

• Academic Year: 2024-25

Forest Resources

• Definition: Forests are vast areas dominated by trees and other vegetation, crucial for ecological balance and species diversity.

• Coverage: Forests cover approximately 31% of the Earth's land area, essential for planetary health.

Benefits of Forest Resources

• Carbon Sequestration:

  • Forests absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, storing carbon in biomass and soil.

  • This process mitigates climate change by reducing greenhouse gases.

• Water Regulation:

  • Forests prevent soil erosion and protect watersheds, ensuring a steady supply of clean water.

  • Trees release water vapor through transpiration, contributing to cloud formation and rainfall.

• Biodiversity:

  • Home to a vast array of flora and fauna, many unique and endangered.

  • Serve as genetic reservoirs, providing resources for medicine and agriculture.

  • eg: amazon rain forest → earths lungs

  • Coral reefs: Vital ecosystems that support marine biodiversity and protect coastlines.

• Climate Regulation:

  • Moderate temperatures and weather patterns, maintaining the Earth’s climate balance.

• Provision of Resources:

  • Provide timber, fuel wood, medicinal plants, and food—essential for community livelihoods.

  • rosy peri winkle treat cancers like leukemia

Over-exploitation of Forest Resources

• Deforestation:

  • Main cause: driven by logging, agricultural expansion, urbanization, industrial activities.

  • Forests cleared for farmland, settlements, and infrastructure.

• Loss of Biodiversity:

  • Deforestation leads to extinction of species and loss of biodiversity, impacting ecosystem stability.

• Climate Change:

  • Deforestation releases stored carbon, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.

• Soil Degradation:

  • Removal of trees leads to soil erosion, reducing fertility and causing desertification.

  • Negatively affects agricultural productivity and water quality.

• Displacement of Communities:

  • Local communities dependent on forests face displacement and disruption of cultural heritage.

Solutions

• Sustainable Forest Management:

  • Practices include selective logging, reforestation, and conservation of high-value forests.

  • costa rica is leading the way in sustainable forest management through extensive reforestation efforts and the establishment of protected areas to preserve biodiversity.

• Agroforestry:

  • Integrating trees into agricultural landscapes to restore degraded land and improve soil fertility.

• Alternative Livelihoods:

  • Development of ecotourism and harvesting non-timber forest products to reduce forest reliance.

• Policy Measures:

  • Establishing protected areas and enforcing regulations against illegal logging.

• Education and Awareness:

  • Raising awareness about forest importance and consequences of destruction.

Water Resources

• Definition: Encompasses all sources of water useful or potentially useful to humans, including surface water (rivers, lakes, reservoirs), groundwater, and atmospheric water.

Benefits of Water Resources

• Support a wide range of ecological processes.

• Meet domestic household needs.

• Help regulate climate.

• Vital for agriculture, energy production, and industrial processes.

Over-exploitation of Water Resources

• Population Growth:

  • Increased demand for water leads to higher withdrawals from surface water, reducing levels and flow rates.

• Agriculture and Industry:

  • Significant water demand for irrigation and industrial processes depletes resources, particularly during dry periods.

  • california witnessing severe drought conditions, which have exacerbated the challenges faced by both agricultural and industrial sectors in managing their water supply.

• Lack of Regulation:

  • Inadequate regulations lead to uncontrolled groundwater extraction and excessive pumping.

Consequences

• Depletion of Resources:

  • Excessive withdrawal leads to water scarcity, affecting human usage and ecosystem health.

• Deterioration of Water Quality:

  • Reduced flow leads to pollutant accumulation, impacting ecosystems and human health.

• Loss of Biodiversity:

  • Lower water levels destroy aquatic habitats, affecting fisheries and ecological balance.

• Land Subsidence:

  • Excessive groundwater extraction causes ground sinking, damaging infrastructure and increasing flooding.

Solutions

• Reducing water demand.

• Increasing water-use efficiency. By using smart irrigation methods

• Promoting water conservation.

• Improving water governance.

kiapo tribe in amazon has developed traditional practices that enhance water management and sustainability in their environment.