Asif uz zaman (Lecturer) Civil Engineering Department Faculty of Engineering Rabigh King Abdulaziz University

Natural Equilibrium in the Environment

Equilibrium: Equilibrium is a state in which no net change is occurring. Something in this state could be considered to be stable, balanced, or unchanging, and this is extremely rare, usually only existing for brief periods of time before something disturbs the balance. Most things tend to change over time, sometimes slowly and sometimes rapidly. The constant tendency to change makes it difficult to establish a state of stability, even when such a state is critically important This concept is very important in the sciences, influencing everything from mathematics to the study of the universe, and there are a number of different types of equilibrium. In all cases, the term describes a stable state.

Natural Equilibrium in the Environment

The natural environment also tries to maintain a state of balance so that it can support living organisms. Thus the natural balance among changes taking place in the environment maintains natural equilibrium in the environment. In a natural state, earths life forms live in equilibrium with their environment. The numbers and activities of each species are governed by the resources available to them. Humans upset this balance on a large scale with pollution, construction and so forth, ultimately threatening the continuation of all species on this planet.

Disturbances in Natural Equilibrium

The natural and manufactured wastes generated and released into the biosphere by the increased numbers of human beings have upset/disturbed the natural equilibrium. Anthropogenic, or human-induced, pollutants have overloaded the system. The overloading came relatively late in the course of human interaction with the environment, perhaps because early societies were primarily concerned with meeting natural needs, needs humans share in common with most of the higher mammals. These peoples had not yet begun to be concerned with meeting the acquired needs associated with more advanced civilizations.

Needs of human beings

Satisfying Natural Needs: By using natural unprocessed resources. Compatible with, or readily assimilated by, the environment. Satisfying Acquired Needs: By using items that must be processed or manufactured or refined. The production, distribution, and use of such items usually results in more complex residuals.

Disturbances
an event that causes damages to an ecosystem; can involve the elimination of organisms and modify the availability of resources. Types: Human Induced or Anthropogenic Natural

Natural Disturbances
Not caused by humans but cause damage to ecosystems Ex. Storms, volcanic eruptions, forest fires, droughts, floods Storms over oceans affect surface and bottom when water mixes

Human Disturbances
Damages caused to ecosystems by humans Logging, offshore oil Oil spills in oceans affect plants, birds, animals

Variation in Type, Frequency, and Severity of Disturbances

Not All Disturbances are equal; depends on Type: ex. snow storms, sand storms, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions Frequency: yearly, occasionally, frequently Severity: lots of damage, very little damage

How does the environment affect us and how do we affect the environment?

Human-Environment Interaction
Human-Environment interaction is how humans and the environment either help or hurt each other. Humans interact with their environment- sometimes adversely impacting the environment and sometimes being adversely impacted by pollutants in the environment. An understanding of the nature of the environment and of human interaction with it is a necessary prerequisite to understanding the work of the environmental engineer. H-E: What humans do to the environment. E-H: What the environment does to the humans. +ve or ve effects? Eg: H-E (+ve)? Eg: H-E (ve)? Eg: E-H (+ve)? Eg: E-H (-ve)?

Human/Environment Interaction
We change the environment and sometimes Mother Nature changes it back. Humans change their environment to make it more suitable to their needs. We heat our buildings in the winter, and cool them in the summer. Nature continues to shape our environment with erosion, deposition, etc. All places on Earth have advantages and disadvantages for human settlement.

Human Environment Interactions

Planet Earth is the Home for human beings, animals and plants. Man dominates the world and exploits all available resources. He works as the agent of all environmental degradation. He also become its prime victim.

Human Environment Interaction

Human beings adapt to the environment Human beings modify the environment Human beings depend on the environment

Alaska
How would the environment of Alaska change the people who lived there? How would the people change the land to live there?

Clothing is often made from whats available, like this sealskin jacket...

pawprince.com/baftemp/images/100-sealskin.jpg

Saudi Arabia
How would the environment of saudi Arabia change the people who lived there? How would the people change the land to live there?

Desert biomes (the plants and animals that live in certain climates and topography) can survive on very little water.

Human Environment Interaction

Humans change nature, and nature changes the ways humans live. Humans are using up the earths resources, including fossil fuels. Burning fossil fuels in cars and power stations produces carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and other greenhouse gases Intensive Farming of plants and animals. Use of Pesticides
Deforestation

This causes several problems

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Burning the timber increases the level of carbon dioxide in the air Less trees means less carbon dioxide absorbed for photosynthesis Soil is eroded as it is exposed to the wind and rain Less water is transpired into the atmosphere Many animal and plant habitats are destroyed causing extinction of species

Human wants are never ending

W N E E D S W A N T S T N A Environment

Environment and Human interaction

Improvements in agriculture health and medicine have produced a dramatic rise in the human population This increase in population size leads to an increase in pollution and higher demand for the worlds resources

Human Environment Interaction

Human Environment Interaction

Positive or Negative?

Human activity = Impacts

Global warming

Ozone depletion

Air ,water & land pollution

Loss of biodiversity

Resource depletion

Population increase Economic growth