How humans threaten biodiversity

• Direct exploitation


  • Using animals for food
  • Using animals for fashion (fur, feathers, leather)
  • Taking animals from the wild for entertainment (pets)
  • Using animals for traditional medicines
• Direct exploitation often over-exploits animals
• The rate at which we are taking animals from the wild is too fast for their population to replenish
• Eradication of predators and competitor species


  • Species that are pests or a danger to human society (snakes, sharks)
  • Pathogen vectors (mosquitoes)
• Eradication of predators and competitor species leads to the eradication of wild organisms
• Habitat Destruction


  • Humans destroy and cause land change
  • Humans alter water availability
  • Humans alter pH
• Habitat destruction can lead to a decrease in biodiversity
• Habitat destruction (e.g. deforestation, ploughing)


  Increases area for agriculture
• Habitat destruction (e.g. flooding)

  Can cause decline in keystone species (pollinators, seed dispersers)
• Habitat destruction (e.g. deforestation, ploughing)

  Can lead to loss of biodiversity
• Eutrophication

  Simulates the growth of algae, causing a decline in original community members
• Biotic and Abiotic Factors


  • Biotic factors (competitors, herbivores)
  • Abiotic factors (temperature, pH, rainfall)
• Biotic and abiotic factors affect organism survival
• New species can become competitive and cause a decline in original community members
• Sustainable practices (low-tillage farming, selective logging) can help mitigate the impact on habitats