Natural ecosystems are involved in a wide variety of natural processes influencing humans and other organisms.

The activities of humans in the environment are changing many of these natural processes in a harmful fashion.

Some of these natural processes and a brief description of a human influence on these processes is indicated below:
Human Influence on Some Ecosystem Processes:
Ecosystem Process-
Human Influence
Generation of Soils Agricultural practices have exposed soil to the weather resulting in great loss of topsoil.
Control of the Water Cycle The cutting of forests and other human activities have allowed increased uncontrolled runoff leading to increased erosion and flooding.

Removal of Wastes Untreated sewage wastes and runoff from farms and feedlots have led to increased water pollution.

Energy Flow Some industries and nuclear plants have added thermal pollution to the environment.

The release of some gases from the burning of fossil fuels may be slowly increasing the Earth's temperature.

(Greenhouse Effect).
Nutrient Recycling The use of packaging material which does not break down, burning of refuse, and the placing of materials in landfills prevents the return of some useful materials to the environment.