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

# Ecosystem and human interventions

Technology, Environment and Society · Chapter 4: Environment

- Asked in: 2071 Chaitra, 6 marks
- Video: [5 Human Impacts on the Environment: Crash Course Ecology #10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eTCZ9L834s) — CrashCourse
- 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-human-interventions
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/technology_environment_and_society/chapter-4

## Question

What is ecosystem? What are the primary reasons of human interventions in the ecosystem? Recommend feasible solution regarding these issues.

## Short answer

An ecosystem is a functional unit where living organisms interact with their environment through energy flow and nutrient cycling. Human interventions are driven by population growth, agricultural expansion, urbanization, industrialization, over-exploitation, poverty and invasive species. Solutions include sustainable agriculture, community forestry, EIA, clean energy, pollution control and local participation.

## Answer

An **ecosystem** is a community of living organisms (plants, animals, microbes) interacting with each other and with their non-living (abiotic) surroundings such as air, water, soil, sunlight and temperature, forming one functional unit linked by **energy flow** and **nutrient cycling**. Examples: a forest, a pond, Phewa Lake, a grassland, a farm field.

```text
 Sun -> Producers -> Herbivores -> Carnivores
          |             |             |
          +----> Decomposers <--------+
                     |
          nutrients back to soil/water
```

#### Primary reasons for human interventions in the ecosystem
1. **Population growth** – more people need more food, housing, land and water.
2. **Agricultural expansion** – forests and wetlands are cleared for farmland; chemical fertilisers and pesticides are used.
3. **Urbanisation and infrastructure** – roads, cities, dams and hydropower projects fragment habitats and change river flows.
4. **Industrialisation** – industries take raw materials and release smoke, effluents and solid waste.
5. **Demand for energy** – firewood collection, fossil fuel burning and mining.
6. **Over-exploitation** – overgrazing, over-fishing, poaching and illegal timber trade.
7. **Poverty and lack of awareness** – the poor depend directly on forests and land; people do not see the long-term cost.
8. **Introduction of exotic species** – invasive weeds such as *Mikania* and water hyacinth disturb native species.

The results are deforestation, soil erosion, landslides, loss of biodiversity, pollution and climate change.

#### Feasible solutions
- **Population management** through education, family planning and women's empowerment.
- **Sustainable agriculture** – organic farming, integrated pest management, agro-forestry, terrace farming.
- **Protected areas and community forestry** – national parks, conservation areas, buffer zones and community forest user groups, which have increased forest cover in Nepal.
- **Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA/IEE)** before roads, dams and industries, as required by the Environment Protection Act 2076 (2019).
- **Clean and alternative energy** – hydropower, biogas, solar, improved cook stoves, to cut firewood use.
- **Pollution control** – treatment of industrial effluent and sewage, solid waste management, emission standards.
- **Reforestation and watershed management** in degraded hills.
- **Awareness and participation** – involve local people so that they gain from conservation (e.g. eco-tourism, sharing of park revenue with buffer zone communities).

## Check yourself

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

1. Which best defines an ecosystem?
   A. Only a human-made farm
   B. A collection of animals
   C. Living organisms interacting with non-living surroundings, linked by energy flow and nutrient cycling
   D. Only the plants in an area
   Answer: C. Biotic and abiotic parts form one functional unit. (Key point: Ecosystem definition)

2. Which is a primary reason for human intervention?
   A. Excess natural rainfall
   B. Volcanic eruption
   C. Moon cycles
   D. Population growth raising demand for food, land and water
   Answer: D. More people need more resources, driving intervention. (Key point: Reason for intervention)

3. What effect do invasive species like Mikania and water hyacinth have?
   A. Disturb native species
   B. Increase biodiversity
   C. Purify soil
   D. Reduce population
   Answer: A. Invasive weeds outcompete native species. (Key point: Exotic species)

4. Which solution reduces firewood use?
   A. Waste burning
   B. Biogas, solar and improved cook stoves
   C. More overgrazing
   D. Monoculture
   Answer: B. Clean alternative energy cuts pressure on forests. (Key point: Feasible solution)

## Related in Technology, Environment and Society

- [Ecosystem, interventions, conservation and preservation](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Ftechnology_environment_and_society%3Aecosystem-conservation-preservation) — Technology, Environment and Society, chapter 4