Chapter 3 

 Human Impacts 



on the Ecosystem 



Authors: Stewart Fefer, Norman Famous, Lawrence Thornton, Peter LarsorW 



Natural processes in the coastal zone interact with human activities, such as 

 (1) waste generation: release of solid, liquid and atmospheric waste into the 

 system; (2) habitat modification: forest harvest and burning, and wetland 

 impoundment, draining, and filling; and (3) natural resource exploitation: 

 harvest of fish, wildlife, and vegetation. These alterations of the 

 ecosystem set off complex and often detrimental environmental reactions. For 

 example, alterations of surface water flow by people, trigger chain reactions 

 that affect water supply, water quality, and fish and wildlife populations and 

 habitats. Some key interactions are highlighted in table 3-1. Additional and 

 more specific information can be found throughout the characterization, 

 including the atlas. For example, impacts on a species or group of species, 

 such as waterbirds, fish, or terrestrial mammals, are enlarged upon in 

 chapters 14, 11, and 17 respectively. 



Most human impacts on the Maine coast are localized (e.g., contamination of 

 shellfish beds and modification of habitats by dams, roads, and other 

 facilities). However, the effects of some human activities are widespread and 

 are difficult both to measure (e.g., acid rain and cumulative impacts) and to 

 control. These may threaten the ecosystem in the future. 



The purpose of this chapter is to alert the reader to potential environmental 

 problems on the Maine coast. It describes these problems and, in some cases, 

 suggest options for their solution, so that the integrity of the coastal 

 ecosystem can be maintained or improved by informed decisions in coastal 

 management. 



State and Federal regulations are in effect to control or offset the adverse 

 environmental impacts of human activities. A summary of these regulations and 

 their enforcement is included at the end of this chapter. 



For the most part, data on the threats to the coastal habitats of Maine are 

 based on findings or reports from other coastal states, since such data on 

 Maine are unavailable. 



3-1 



10-80 



