Topic 10- ecology (human impacts on ecosystems)

Name a direct and indirect impact of human activities on ecosystems.

Direct- deforestation

Indirect- climate change

How do human activities cause habitat loss and what does it do?

Deforestation for agriculture, logging for timber, and urbanisation.

Causes species to lose their habitats leading to some species extinction.

How do human activities cause pollution and what does it do?

Both chemical and physical pollution disrupts ecosystems e.g. air pollution, water pollution and soil contamination.

Air pollution- can cause acid rain, harming aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

Water pollution- through dumping of waste and chemicals, has devastating impacts on biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems.

How has human activities cause climate change and what does it do?

Human activities release greenhouse gases e.g. CO2 and methane into the atmosphere.

Impacts ecosystems by causing shifts in species distribution, changes in population sizes and alterations in the timing of biological activities.

How do human activities exploit species and what does it do?

Humans overhunt, overfish and the wildlife trade are examples of species exploitation that can disrupt ecosystems.

Overexploitation can lead to a decrease in biodiversity and can cause species to be close to or reach extinction.

How do human activities cause invasive species and what does it do?

Humans often unintentionally introduce a non-native species into new ecosystems.

These invasive species can outcompete native species for resources and disrupt local ecosystems.

How do human activities cause the fragmentation of habitats and what does it do?

Human activities often result in habitat fragmentation, which can lead to isolated populations, reductions in species diversity and changes in species behaviour and genetics.

Roads, agriculture and urbanisation are common causes of habitat fragmentation.

What are strategies which can be used to help mitigate human impact on ecosystems?

Conservation efforts, restoration of damaged ecosystems, sustainable agriculture and fishing practises and regulations to control pollution and habitat destruction.