Impacts of Urbanisation on specific Outdoor Environments

Question 1

Impacts of urbanastion

Answer 1

Urbanisation refers to the development and physical growth of towns and cities, including residential
areas, as people move to these locations. Australia is considered one of the most urbanised and coast-
dwelling populations in the world, as more than 80% of Australians live within 100 kilometres of the
coast. However, these urban areas are less than 2% of Australia’s total land mass.
The process of urbanisation means that natural environments suffer as more space is required
for the construction of houses and the development of industry. An example of this is the ever-
growing urban sprawl of suburbs that surrounds the city of Melbourne, which stretches approximately
150 kilometres from east to west.

Question 2

Impacts of urbanisation water ways

Answer 2

Typical impacts from urbanisation on waterways include:
* decline in riverine species
* disruption of ecosystems
* increased turbidity and siltation
* rising salt levels
* loss of streamside vegetation
* erosion of creeks and watercourses
* increased stormwater runoff
* alteration of flow patterns
* water pollution from litter, garden refuse, soap, petrol, oil products, animal faeces, sediment from
rivers and streams, overflowing sewage and cigarette butts.

Question 3

Impacts of urbanisation land

Answer 3

Typical impacts from urbanisation on land include:
* habitat loss through timber harvesting, mining excavation and clearing of vegetation
* loss of old hollow trees
* lack of dead wood and forest litter
* introduction of weeds
* loss of topsoil
* decreased water absorption into the soil
* predation by introduced domestic animals
* decrease in biodiversity levels
* land disturbances due to deforestation, mining and farming.
While the impacts listed here have a predominately negative effect on the environment, urbanisation
can also bring about the development of parklands and areas where native remnant vegetation is
protected and regenerated.

Question 4

Impacts changing humans lifestyles

Answer 4

Changing human lifestyles have been influenced by:
* advancements in technology – such as motor vehicles, television, radio, air travel, telephones,
internet and social media, and labour-saving devices including washing machines and
refrigerators; there is also a heavy reliance on cars for transport and an increasing popularity of
compact SUVs and four-wheel drive vehicles
* occupational conditions that can be inclusive of flexibility with working hours, job-sharing
arrangements, increased leisure time and disposable income
* media and lifestyle programs that increase our awareness of, and interest in, outdoor
environments and the opportunities they provide – this is increasing the number of people who
visit outdoor areas for relaxation and recreation
* composition of families and their residences – families are generally smaller, occupying smaller
parcels of land with larger houses filled with modern-day home accessories and smaller
backyards; attempts at higher levels of energy efficiency have also increased (through government
legislation and rebates).

Question 5

Ecological footprint

Answer 5

A measure of how
much productive
land (global
hectares) is required
to produce the goods
and services and
dispose of the waste
necessary to support
a particular lifestyle