---
title: "Ecosystem, interventions, conservation and preservation"
subject: "Technology, Environment and Society"
chapter: 4
key: "semester_7/technology_environment_and_society:ecosystem-conservation-preservation"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/technology_environment_and_society/ecosystem-conservation-preservation
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Ecosystem, interventions, conservation and preservation

Technology, Environment and Society · Chapter 4: Environment

- Asked in: 2071 Shrawan, 7 marks
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/technology_environment_and_society/ecosystem-conservation-preservation
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/technology_environment_and_society/chapter-4

## Question

What is ecosystem? What are the main causes of human interventions in the ecosystem? Make clear the term conservation and preservation of natural resources.

## Short answer

An ecosystem is a functional unit of living organisms interacting with their environment. Main causes of human interventions include population growth, deforestation, urbanization, industrialization, over-exploitation and poverty. Conservation is wise sustainable use of resources, while preservation protects nature from any use, keeping it untouched.

## Answer

An **ecosystem** is a natural unit in which living organisms (biotic components) interact with one another and with their physical environment (abiotic components: sunlight, air, water, soil, minerals) through **energy flow** and **cycling of matter**. Examples: forest, lake, river, grassland, desert.

**Components:**
- **Abiotic** – sunlight, temperature, water, soil, nutrients.
- **Producers** – green plants that make food by photosynthesis.
- **Consumers** – herbivores (primary), carnivores (secondary/tertiary), omnivores.
- **Decomposers** – bacteria and fungi that break dead matter into nutrients.

Energy flows one way (sun → producers → consumers, with about 90% lost as heat at each trophic level), while nutrients cycle again and again.

#### Main causes of human interventions in the ecosystem
1. **Rapid population growth** – more demand for food, land, water and housing.
2. **Deforestation** for agriculture, settlement, timber and firewood.
3. **Urbanisation and infrastructure** – roads, airports, hydropower dams and transmission lines cut habitats and change rivers.
4. **Industrialisation and mining** – raw material extraction and discharge of gases, effluents and solid waste.
5. **Modern agriculture** – chemical fertilisers, pesticides, monoculture, irrigation.
6. **Energy demand** – burning of fossil fuels and biomass.
7. **Over-exploitation** – overgrazing, poaching, over-fishing, sand and stone mining from rivers.
8. **Poverty, unemployment and lack of awareness**, and weak enforcement of laws.

#### Conservation of natural resources
**Conservation** means the **wise and sustainable use** of natural resources so that they meet present needs while remaining available for future generations. Use is allowed, but in a planned way.
- Examples: community forestry with controlled harvesting, rotational grazing, rainwater harvesting, recycling, energy efficiency, sustainable fishing.

#### Preservation of natural resources
**Preservation** means **protecting** a resource or area from human use, keeping it in its original, untouched state for its own value and for science.
- Examples: core areas of national parks (Chitwan, Sagarmatha), strict nature reserves, protecting an endangered species like the one-horned rhino, seed banks.

| Basis | Conservation | Preservation |
|---|---|---|
| Idea | Sustainable use | No use, keep untouched |
| Human activity | Allowed with control | Excluded or very limited |
| Focus | Resource for people, now and future | Nature for its own sake |
| Example | Community forest, buffer zone | Core zone of national park |
| Approach | Management | Protection |

Both are needed: preservation for critical habitats and species, conservation for the resources people depend on daily.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What is the role of decomposers?
   A. Eat herbivores
   B. Supply sunlight
   C. Break dead matter into nutrients
   D. Make food by photosynthesis
   Answer: C. Bacteria and fungi return nutrients to the ecosystem. (Key point: Producers and decomposers)

2. Conservation of natural resources means:
   A. Complete exclusion of humans
   B. Unlimited use
   C. Selling resources quickly
   D. Wise and sustainable use for present and future needs
   Answer: D. Use is allowed in a planned way. (Key point: Conservation meaning)

3. Which is an example of preservation?
   A. Core zone of a national park
   B. Community forest with harvesting
   C. Rotational grazing
   D. Rainwater harvesting
   Answer: A. Core zones keep nature untouched; the others involve controlled use. (Key point: Preservation example)

4. Which is a cause of human intervention in the ecosystem?
   A. Decomposition
   B. Modern agriculture with fertilisers, pesticides and monoculture
   C. Photosynthesis
   D. Energy flow
   Answer: B. Human activities like modern agriculture alter ecosystems. (Key point: Intervention cause)

## Related in Technology, Environment and Society

- [Ecosystem and human interventions](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Ftechnology_environment_and_society%3Aecosystem-human-interventions) — Technology, Environment and Society, chapter 4
- [Optimum utilization of natural resources](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Ftechnology_environment_and_society%3Aoptimum-utilization-resources) — Technology, Environment and Society, chapter 4
- [Conflict of resources and ecology](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Ftechnology_environment_and_society%3Aconflict-of-resources-ecosystem) — Technology, Environment and Society, chapter 4

## Related in other subjects

- [Appropriate vs inappropriate human resources](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Forganization_and_management%3Ahuman-resources-appropriate) — Organization and Management, chapter 7
- [Notes and summary: Australian resources and tourism](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Anotes-summary-aboriginal-tourism) — Communication English, chapter 1