The Impact of Humans on the Biological Diversity of Natural Ecosystems
The Impact of Humans on the Biological Diversity of Natural Ecosystems
Introduction
Since humans have come into existence they have always been a cause of change of whatever natural areas they inhabit along with the living organisms of those natural areas. The different types of organisms such as plants, animals, and microorganisms that inhabit these areas are known as biological diversity or biodiversity. (USEPA 2010 ) Biological diversity can be affected by many different things, climate change, and area being two specific things. Humans fit into a strange niche of biological diversity. While we have a part of biodiversity and in ecosystems, the human race has spread much farther than any other breed or type of organism except for bacteria. (Diaz 2006) Humans have spread into so many other ecosystems that are not meant to be inhabited by humans and through technology, industrialization, and evolutionary changes have changed these natural ecosystems. As the population size of the human race increases the biological diversity of natural ecosystems seems to decrease. Humans have made an effect on several types of different systems aquatic, forest, and landscape conservations, changing permanently the biodiversity of these natural ecosystems in some form or fashion.
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Deforestation
Deforestation is one major issue that has been caused by human population growth. Deforestation is the loss of forest due to the act of trees being overcut. This becomes such a big issue due to a problem known as soil erosion that occurs when deforestation happens. Soil erosion is the loss of the protective top layers of soil which take away from the ability of the soil to soak up and hold water. (Stock and Rochen 2000) Beyond hurting the air quality that humans need soil erosion and deforestation becomes an issue that affects humans especially when it comes to agriculture. To have successful agricultural profit soil that has water holding properties is necessary. To yield a
Introduction
Since humans have come into existence they have always been a cause of change of whatever natural areas they inhabit along with the living organisms of those natural areas. The different types of organisms such as plants, animals, and microorganisms that inhabit these areas are known as biological diversity or biodiversity. (USEPA 2010 ) Biological diversity can be affected by many different things, climate change, and area being two specific things. Humans fit into a strange niche of biological diversity. While we have a part of biodiversity and in ecosystems, the human race has spread much farther than any other breed or type of organism except for bacteria. (Diaz 2006) Humans have spread into so many other ecosystems that are not meant to be inhabited by humans and through technology, industrialization, and evolutionary changes have changed these natural ecosystems. As the population size of the human race increases the biological diversity of natural ecosystems seems to decrease. Humans have made an effect on several types of different systems aquatic, forest, and landscape conservations, changing permanently the biodiversity of these natural ecosystems in some form or fashion.
White 2
Deforestation
Deforestation is one major issue that has been caused by human population growth. Deforestation is the loss of forest due to the act of trees being overcut. This becomes such a big issue due to a problem known as soil erosion that occurs when deforestation happens. Soil erosion is the loss of the protective top layers of soil which take away from the ability of the soil to soak up and hold water. (Stock and Rochen 2000) Beyond hurting the air quality that humans need soil erosion and deforestation becomes an issue that affects humans especially when it comes to agriculture. To have successful agricultural profit soil that has water holding properties is necessary. To yield a
Cited: United States Environmental Protection Agency. Ecosystems and Biodiversity . Washington, DC: United States Government, 2010. Web. 10 Nov 2010. http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/effects/eco.html Stock, Jocelyn, and Andy Rochen. "The Choice: Dooms Day or Arbor Day." Deforestation. University of Michigan, 01/21/2000. Web. 10 Nov 2010. http://www.umich.edu/~gs265/society/deforestation.htm Audesirk, Teresa, Audesirk, Gerald, and Byers, Bruce E. Biology Life on Earth. Eighth Edition. Upper Saddle River. Prentice Hall. 2008. Print. Diaz, Sandra. "Why is Biodiversity Essential for Human Life?." Sep. 2006: n. pag. Web. 10 Nov 2010. http://news.softpedia.com/news/Why-Is-Biodiversity-Essential-for-Human-Life-34980.shtml "The National Landscape Conservation System." The Conservation System Alliance. N.p., January 29 2009. Web. 10 Nov 2010. http://www.conservationsystem.org/conservationsystem