Human Impact on Ecosystems

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What is biodiversity?

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Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, including the number of different species, genetic diversity, and the variety of ecosystems.

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What are keystone species?

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Keystone species are organisms that have a disproportionately large effect on their environment relative to their abundance. Their removal can lead to significant changes in the ecosystem.

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What is habitat destruction?

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Habitat destruction is the process in which natural habitat is rendered unable to support the species present, often due to human activities such as urban development, agriculture, and deforestation.

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What is eutrophication?

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Eutrophication is the process by which a body of water becomes overly enriched with nutrients, leading to excessive growth of algae and depletion of oxygen, harming aquatic life.

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How does pollution affect ecosystems?

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Pollution can introduce harmful substances into ecosystems, leading to health problems for wildlife, loss of biodiversity, and disruption of ecological balance.

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What is the impact of overfishing?

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Overfishing depletes fish populations faster than they can reproduce, leading to a decline in fish stocks, disruption of food webs, and loss of biodiversity.

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What is the significance of ecosystem interconnectedness?

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Ecosystem interconnectedness means that changes in one ecosystem can affect others, highlighting the importance of maintaining balance and health across all ecosystems.

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What role do fertilizers play in ecosystems?

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Fertilizers can enhance plant growth but can also lead to nutrient runoff into water bodies, causing eutrophication and harming aquatic ecosystems.

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What is the concept of ecological balance?

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Ecological balance refers to the state of equilibrium between living organisms and their environment, where species coexist and resources are used sustainably.

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What are the consequences of invasive species?

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Invasive species can outcompete native species for resources, disrupt food webs, and lead to a decline in biodiversity.