Threats to Biodiversity

• Biodiversity on earth has been largely impacted by mass extinctions
• Since life started on earth, there have been five mass extinctions
• Some scientists claim that the rate of extinction is currently higher than at any other time in the past and that it represents the sixth mass extinction
• The 6th extinction is caused the the negative impact of humans on the environment
• As humans we are constantly changing our environment to suit our needs. These changes directly lead to a loss of biodiversity
• Habitat destruction
• poaching and hunting of wildlife
• invasion of alien plant and animal species
• overexploitation of resources
• pollution leading to climate change
• excessive use of fertiliser and pesticides
• trade in endangered species