factors influencing changing ecosystems

• factors that can change the ecosystem include:

  • climate change
  • habitat destruction
  • habitat fragmentation
  • overexploitation
  • alien species
  • pollution
  • disease
• how can climate change change ecosystems?

  sea level rise and species migration mean they are unable to adapt to a changing environment.

  climate change is anthropogenic and natural.
• how can habitat destruction change ecosystems?

  it is linked to human overpopulation and economy growth.

  this leads to deforestation and a reduction in biodiversity.
• how can habitat fragmentation change ecosystems?

  small pockets of natural systems become isolated due to human activity.
• how can overexploitation change ecosystems?

  illegal and institutional systems exploit unsustainably.

  they also use resources without replacing them.
• how can alien species change ecosystems?

  they are introduced where they have few predators.

  this means they can out-compete indigenous species.
• how can pollution change ecosystems?

  it leads to acid rain due to the use of fertiliser and contamination.
• how can disease change ecosystems?

  higher population densities mean that diseases spread quicker.

  a higher population means there will be less food to maintain health.