Ecological balance or imbalance ,& effects

 Ecological balance:

 A state of dynamic equilibrium

 A community of organisms

 Genetic, Species and Ecosystem diversity remains stable

 Subject to Gradual changes 

 Natural Succession

 A state of dynamic equilibrium within a community of organisms in which Genetic, Species and 

ecosystem diversity remains stable subject to gradual changes through natural succession.

 Ecological balance ensures the stability of the organisms and environment. Human being plays a 

key role to maintain ecological balance because they have the highest thinking capacity as 

compared to other living organisms.

 Sufficient food availability to all living organisms and their stability reflect the existence of 

ecological balance. Therefore, this balance is very important because it ensures survival, existence 

and stability of the environment.

                                                         

Ecological Imbalance

Ecological imbalance is when a natural or human-caused disturbance disrupts the natural balance of an 

ecosystem. A disturbance is any change that causes a disruption in the balance of an ecosystem.

Examples of natural disturbances are

 Volcanic eruptions

 Floods

 Natural fires

Examples of human-caused disturbances are

 The introduction of a new species

 Logging a forest

 Pollution

 Overhunting of a specie

 Maintaining the Ecological Balance

 Manage Natural Resources Carefully

 Control the Population

 Protect the Water

 Reduce Logging

 Reduce chlorofluorocarbon

 Stop open burning

                                                      

Ecological Imbalance Examples

Greenhouse effect:

 When the Sun’s energy reaches the Earth’s 

atmosphere, some of it is reflected back to space 

and the rest is absorbed and re-radiated by 

greenhouse gases.

 Greenhouse gases include water vapour, carbon 

dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and some 

artificial chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons 

(CFCs)

 This process maintains the Earth’s temperature at 

around 33 degrees Celsius warmer.

 The problem we now face is that human activities –

particularly burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and 

natural gas), agriculture and land clearing – are 

increasing the concentrations of greenhouse gases. 

 This is the enhanced greenhouse effect, which is 

contributing to warming of the Earth.

Acid Rain:

 Acid rain refers to rain which is acidic in nature. It is 

generally complex mixture of 𝐻2S04 along with 

𝐻2S𝑂3 and HN𝑂3 along with HN𝑂2

 The SO2

and NOX react with water, oxygen and other 

chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric acids. These 

then mix with water and other materials before falling 

to the ground.

The major sources of SO2

and NOX in the atmosphere 

are:

 Burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity:Two

thirds of SO2

and one fourth of NOX in the atmosphere 

come from electric power generators.

 Vehicles and heavy equipment.

 Manufacturing, oil refineries and other industries.