• From an ecological perspective, Asia,

being the largest continent in the world,

is a major source of biodiversity.

“Biodiversity refers to the diversity of

life in all its forms that comprise the
natural world.”
 High
population
density

Environmental
problems,
ecological
imbalance
Urbanization
Environmental Problems due to High
Population Density
 Destruction of
natural habitats of
Intensified use of land flora and fauna,
increased pollution

More land needed for

growing food and
human occupancy

High population
density

Unprecedented
population
growth
 Top 10 most populous
Asian cities

Source: World Population

Review.(n.d). Cities in Asia by
population 2019. Retrieved May 25,
2019, from
http://worldpopulationreview.com/
cities-in-asia/.
LAND DEGREDATION

1. Soil degradation

-with the growing population, more food is needed

-due to intensified land cultivation, soil minerals are
lost, thus soil fertility decreases
Land Degradation

Salinization

Improper
irrigation

Alkalinization
Land Degradation

2. Salinization- salts come to the surface of the land or

salt is carried in by water
-often takes place in river estuaries
-when water wells are overused, the water
table lowers and saltwater or brackish
water starts to permeate
Land Degradation

3. Alkalinization – increased amount of alkaline in soil

which is harmful for plants

*alkalines- salts or hydroxides of sodium, potassium,

lithium or ammonia
Land Degradation

4. Desertification- destruction of land in arid, semi-arid,

and sub-humid areas that lead to loss of productivity
-leads to food scarcity and health
problems
Environmental Problems brought about by
Urbanization
Effects of Urbanization

1. Proliferation of slum or depressed areas

-poor quality of life due to health risks and other
hazards
-intensified use of resources from hinterlands
causing destruction in their ecosystem due to increased
demand of resource for urban places
Effects of Urbanization

2. Pollution and Solid Waste Disposal

-many countries lack facilities to properly dispose solid
waste (household and industrial)
-improper solid waste disposal leads to pollution which
poses risks to human health and degradation of the
environment
Effects of Urbanization

3. Loss of biodiversity

-decreasing floral and faunal biodiversity due to loss of

natural habitats and introduction of non-indigenous
species in a region
Effects of Urbanization

4. Deforestation
-loss of natural habitat due to clearing of forests
-forest destruction brings about environmental
problems (soil erosion, siltation, sedimentation)
-also alters the microclimate of a particular area
Source:
Mateo, G. C., Jose, R. T., Camagay, M. T., Miranda, E. A., &
Boncan, C. P. (2010). Asian Civilization: History and
Culture. Quezon City, Philippines: Vibal Publishing
House.