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EndangeredEcosystem | 25

10. Rainforests play an important role in the regulation of microclimate and the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

11. Below are some sustainable and planned forest projects. A .Establishment of a level of selectiveharvesting.This means only mature trees are removed. B .Reforestation or large-scale replanting of trees. Replanting programmes ensurethat forests where logging activitieshave been carried out are not damaged andthat the forests continue to be productive and are able to support the diversity oflives. C .Implementation of restoration programmes to restore damagedhabitats so that natural resources and wildlife can be preserved. D .Establishment of forest reserves to prevent the destruction of existing forests and to maintain the equilibrium of the ecosystem so that the quality of the environment is preserved.This ensures that the diverse flora and fauna do not face the threat of extinction and can continue to survive in their naturalhabitats. Forest reserves also ensure that the genetic material of animal and plant species will not be lost. E. Greater productivity form existing agricultural lands will reduce the pressure to convert more forests for agricultural purposes. In this way, farming and harvesting of timber can still be carried out and biodiversity can be protected at the same time.

12. Mangrove swamps are a rich source of biodiversity. Mangrove trees are used as fuel, building materials and pilings. Mangrove swamps provide food, nesting and nursery areas for many animals.The dead leaves and twigs in the water encourage the growth of microorganisms that provide food for young marine organisms.

A .Mangrove swamps play an important role in flood control, nutrient retention, sediment control, and the prevention of coastal erosion.They also act as a barrier against rising sea levels. B. When an area of a mangrove swamp forest is cleared for aquaculture anddevelopment, many plant and animal species are threatened to the point ofextinction. c.Industrial waste pollution also contributes to the threat of extinction. d.Hence, mangrove swamps found along the coastlines must be protected, preserved and conserved. b) The Practic Of Biological Control 1.Biological control is the use of natural predators to control the population of pest species. 2.Some examples of biological control are : a.The use Khaki chambel (a species of ducks or itik telur) to control the population of gold snails (siput gondang emas) which feed on paddy stalks. b.The use of caterpillars of the species Cactoblastis cactorum to control the prickly pear cactus which spreads quickly and invades farming lands. c.The use if thehoverfly larvae to control aphids which feed on crop plants. d.The use of owls to control the population of rats in palm plantation.

EndangeredEcosystem | 26 3.Biological control is better than using chemical control which involves the use if pesticides.This is because : a.The use of pesticides is indiscriminate and sometimesharmless organisms as well as the pest species are killed. b.The effects of pesticides can be persistent and remain in the environment for long periods. c.The concentration of pesticides is amplified as they pass through food chains (biomagnifications). As a result,high concentrations of pesticides may accumulate in the tissues of final consumers.These pesticides can be toxic and affect the metabolism of the organisms. d.Pests develop resistance. Hence a larger the amount of pesticides may now be

required to produce a similar effect. e.The cost of using pesticides ishigh. f.The extensive use of pesticides pollutes the environment. c) THE USE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY 1.Fossil fuels are a non-renewable energy source. Hence, there is a need to look for alternative sources of energy. 2.Renewable energy is energy flow that occurs naturally in the environment and can be harnessed for the benefit of humans. 3.Renewable energy is inexhaustible and does not pollute the environment. 4.Examples of renewable energy are : o Solar energy which can be converted into electricity and used inheating. o Wind energy which is used to operate windmills to pump water for the irrigation of crops. o Flowing water which is used to generatehydroelectric power. o Wave energy the upward and downward motion of waves isharnessed to generate energy. o Geothermal energy o Biomass energy which is produced when decomposing organic matter, releases a gas consisting of 50% methane.This biogas released can be collected and used as fuel for various purposes such asheating or generating electricity. o Gasohol is the conversion of energy in biomass.The fermentation of sugar by yeast converts the energy in biomass into ethanol which can be used as fuel. An example of this fuel is gasohol which consists of 80% to 90% unleaded petroleum spirit with 10% to 20% ethanol. Gasohol can be used as fuel in motor vehicles.

Plant materials which can be used in the process of fermentation by yeast to produce gasohol are sugar cane, sugar beet and maize. o Palm oil fuel. Palm oil can be converted into methyl ester which is used as fuel. Biodiesel from crude palm oil is an environment friendly alternative to petroleum diesel. Biodiesel can meet approximately 17% of the countrys energy requirements and thereby reduce the countrys dependence on petroleum.

EndangeredEcosystem | 27 d) THE EFFICIENT USE OF ENERGY 1.Reduce the burning of coal, petroleum and other fossil fuels. 2.Substitute natural gas for coal at power plants. 3.Improve fuel efficiency in vehicles-use cars that run on energy-efficient engines. 4.Use a cleaner fuel by reducing the content of sulphur in diesel and switching to gas.

5.Improve energy efficiency in factories. 6.Use morehybrid cars which combine electric and gasoline engines. b

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