Ecology 5 Flashcards: How Humans Affect Biodiversity and Ecosystems (HS-LS2-7)

Humans can change nature in many ways. Some changes are small, but others can hurt plants, animals, and ecosystems. Biodiversity means having many different kinds of living things. Healthy ecosystems need good biodiversity.

Here are some human activities that hurt biodiversity and ecosystems:

Habitat fragmentation happens when big habitats are broken into small pieces. For example, building roads through a forest splits the forest into small parts. This makes it hard for animals to find food, mates, and shelter.
Introduction of non-native species is when humans bring plants or animals from one place to another where they do not belong. Sometimes, these new species grow fast and take over. We call these invasive species. For example, the Burmese python was brought to Florida and now eats many native animals.
Overharvesting is when humans take too many animals or plants from nature. For example, catching too many fish can make fish populations drop very low.
Pollution means putting harmful things into the land, water, or air. Pollution can kill animals and plants. For example, oil spills in the ocean hurt fish and birds.
Climate change is when the Earth's temperature and weather change over time. This can make it hard for some animals and plants to survive.

We can help nature by finding solutions:

Captive breeding programs raise endangered animals in zoos and then release them into the wild.
Habitat restoration means fixing damaged places, like planting trees in cut-down forests.
Pollution mitigation means cleaning up pollution or stopping it before it starts.
Energy conservation means using less electricity and fuel, which helps stop climate change.
Ecotourism is when people visit nature in ways that do not harm it. This can also bring money to protect wildlife.

By working together, we can protect biodiversity and keep ecosystems healthy!

Vocabulary List (with explanations)

Biodiversity – Many different kinds of living things in one place.
High biodiversity makes ecosystems strong and healthy.
Ecosystem – A place where living and non-living things live and work together.
If ecosystems are healthy, animals and plants can survive well.
Habitat fragmentation – Breaking big habitats into small pieces.
This makes life hard for animals because they cannot move or find what they need easily.
Non-native species – A plant or animal that humans bring to a new place.
It can hurt native species by using up food and space.
Invasive species – A non-native plant or animal that spreads fast and takes over.
It can kill or push out native animals and plants.
Overharvesting – Taking too many animals or plants from nature.
This can make populations shrink or disappear.
Pollution – Harmful things put into land, water, or air.
Pollution can make animals sick or kill them.
Climate change – Long-term changes in Earth’s weather and temperature.
It can make it too hot, too cold, too wet, or too dry for some living things.
Captive breeding program – Raising animals in zoos and letting them go back into the wild.
This helps bring back endangered species.
Habitat restoration – Fixing damaged natural places.
It helps animals and plants live there again.
Pollution mitigation – Cleaning up or stopping pollution.
This makes the environment safer for all living things.
Energy conservation – Using less power (like turning off lights or driving less).
This helps fight climate change.
Ecotourism – Visiting nature in a way that helps protect it.
It brings money to care for wildlife and habitats.