Human activities negatively impact natural resources through overuse and pollution. Renewable resources like forests can be depleted if used faster than they can regenerate. Non-renewable resources like fossil fuels are being burned, releasing carbon dioxide and leading to their eventual depletion. Specific human impacts include deforestation, overfishing, water and air pollution, and solid waste pollution, which degrade habitats and water quality. If not addressed, this degradation will negatively affect Caribbean tourism and economies by damaging ecosystems and habitats.

1. The impact of humanThe impact of human
activities on naturalactivities on natural
ResourcesResources
CSEC Biology - Section A (Living Organisms in theCSEC Biology - Section A (Living Organisms in the
Environment)Environment)
Teacher/Tutor: Miss T. BartleyTeacher/Tutor: Miss T. Bartley

2. Our Resources areOur Resources are
beneficialbeneficial
 A natural resource is anything from nature thatA natural resource is anything from nature that
we can use for our benefit.we can use for our benefit.
 These include: living organisms, water, land,These include: living organisms, water, land,
wood, fossil fuel, minerals, wind, sunlight.wood, fossil fuel, minerals, wind, sunlight.

3. Renewable ResourcesRenewable Resources
 A renewable resource is easily replaced inA renewable resource is easily replaced in
nature.nature.

4. Non-renewable ResourcesNon-renewable Resources
 A non-renewable resource is used up faster thanA non-renewable resource is used up faster than
it can be replaced.it can be replaced.
 Oil, natural gas and coal are all non – renewableOil, natural gas and coal are all non – renewable
resources.resources.

5. Human activities impactHuman activities impact
natural resourcesnatural resources
 Human beings find use for water, plantsHuman beings find use for water, plants
animals minerals and fossil fuels.animals minerals and fossil fuels.
 The overuse of renewable and non –The overuse of renewable and non –
renewable resources have a negativerenewable resources have a negative
impact on these resources and limits theimpact on these resources and limits the
global availability.global availability.

6. EnergyEnergy
 The burning of fossil fuels increases theThe burning of fossil fuels increases the
amount of carbon dioxide in theamount of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere and also leads to depletion ofatmosphere and also leads to depletion of
fuel sources.fuel sources.

7. DeforestationDeforestation
 We cut down trees for timber to make furnitureWe cut down trees for timber to make furniture
and paper and paper products. Some of theseand paper and paper products. Some of these
practices leave the forest floor bare andpractices leave the forest floor bare and
increases the possibility for flooding due to soilincreases the possibility for flooding due to soil
erosion. Some living organisms also lose theirerosion. Some living organisms also lose their
habitat.habitat.

8. Water ActivitiesWater Activities
 Saltwater and freshwater resources areSaltwater and freshwater resources are
used for transportation by sea of cruiseused for transportation by sea of cruise
ships or goods for industry, recreation,ships or goods for industry, recreation,
cooking and hydro-energy generation.cooking and hydro-energy generation.

9. FishingFishing
 Animals from the marine environment areAnimals from the marine environment are
hunted as food by other animals andhunted as food by other animals and
humans. Over-fishing can lead to ahumans. Over-fishing can lead to a
reduction in animal numbers and humanreduction in animal numbers and human
activities lead to pollution of marine watersactivities lead to pollution of marine waters
and destruction of habitat.and destruction of habitat.

10. PollutionPollution
Air PollutionAir Pollution
 The release of harmful substances that are difficult toThe release of harmful substances that are difficult to
remove from the environment is called pollution.remove from the environment is called pollution.
 We pollute the air with many greenhouse gases such asWe pollute the air with many greenhouse gases such as
carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide,carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide,
methane and chlorofluorocarbons. They contribute tomethane and chlorofluorocarbons. They contribute to
global warming.global warming.

11. Global WarmingGlobal Warming
 Global warming causes rise in global temperature andGlobal warming causes rise in global temperature and
changes in rainfall patterns. This can cause droughts inchanges in rainfall patterns. This can cause droughts in
some places, floods in others, erosion of beaches andsome places, floods in others, erosion of beaches and
destruction of habitats.destruction of habitats.
 Global warming impacts the Caribbean negatively due toGlobal warming impacts the Caribbean negatively due to
erosion of beaches and coral reefs.erosion of beaches and coral reefs.
 As a result, less money is generated from tourism whichAs a result, less money is generated from tourism which
is a major product of many Caribbean countries.is a major product of many Caribbean countries.

12. Water PollutionWater Pollution
 Nitrates from organic fertilizers, phosphates from detergents,Nitrates from organic fertilizers, phosphates from detergents,
organic wastes and solid wastes are the main pollutants oforganic wastes and solid wastes are the main pollutants of
freshwater. Nitrates and phosphates accumulate and causefreshwater. Nitrates and phosphates accumulate and cause
eutrophication. Eutrophication decreases the amount of oxygeneutrophication. Eutrophication decreases the amount of oxygen
present in the water.present in the water.
 Marine waters are usually polluted by oil spills from oil rigs or fromMarine waters are usually polluted by oil spills from oil rigs or from
ships during transfer across the sea. The oil can be harmful to plantships during transfer across the sea. The oil can be harmful to plant
and animal life in the waters.and animal life in the waters.

13. Solid waste PollutionSolid waste Pollution
 The sea may also be polluted by solid waste from land due to badThe sea may also be polluted by solid waste from land due to bad
sanitary practices of humans. When people dump garbage intosanitary practices of humans. When people dump garbage into
gullies and drains these have the potential to enter the sea.gullies and drains these have the potential to enter the sea.
 Solid non – biodegradable waste may accumulate in the marineSolid non – biodegradable waste may accumulate in the marine
environment and cause physical damage to plant life.environment and cause physical damage to plant life.
 Organic waste matter from untreated sewage and factory effluentsOrganic waste matter from untreated sewage and factory effluents
can also pollute the coastal waters of many countries. Manycan also pollute the coastal waters of many countries. Many
chemicals may become absorbed into the tissues of aquatic animalschemicals may become absorbed into the tissues of aquatic animals
and hence move up the food chain via consumers of these animals.and hence move up the food chain via consumers of these animals.
 Pesticides used by farmers are harmless in small amounts.Pesticides used by farmers are harmless in small amounts.
However these can remain on plants and enter the food chain andHowever these can remain on plants and enter the food chain and
accumulate in body tissue when these plants are eaten repeatedlyaccumulate in body tissue when these plants are eaten repeatedly
by animals and humans.by animals and humans.

14. Food for thoughtFood for thought
 How will pollution of the marine andHow will pollution of the marine and
wetland ecosystems in our Caribbeanwetland ecosystems in our Caribbean
states impact the organisms in thesestates impact the organisms in these
habitats? What effect will this activityhabitats? What effect will this activity
eventually have on the tourism producteventually have on the tourism product
and hence the economy?and hence the economy?