Human Impacts
Human activities can have a wide range of effects on biodiversity. The main effects we have had can be remembered using the acronym, HIPPCO.
Habitat Destruction
A variety of human activities such as deforestation and urbanization destroy habitats. Habitat fragmentation results in larger habitats being split into smaller, isolated areas, which disrupts breeding, hunting, and migration of species. Some species are more disrupted than others.
Invasive Species
Invasives are non-native species that are introduced to a new habitat. They can outcompete the native species for food and habitats.
Population Growth
As human population grows, habitat loss increases.
As the human population grows, domestication increases, which reduces the genetic diversity of species.
Pollution
A variety of pollutants can harm species. Pesticides can kill non-target species. Fertilizer pollution can result in eutrophication. Oil spills can kill marine organisms. Fat-soluble pollutants like methylmercury can bioaccumulate. Etc.
Climate Change
As the climate changes, biomes may shift, precipitation levels can change, the sea level can rise, and habitat ranges can shift.Â
Over Exploitation
We are currently taking and using things far above the replenishment rate. Overhunting, overfishing, and overharvesting lead to population declines due to the organisms' reproduction rates not keeping up with how quickly the organisms are killed.
"Could be worse." How do we stop it from being as bad as it could be?
There are a variety of things that can be done to help mitigate the loss of biodiversity.
Protected areas can be made (such as wildlife preserves and national parks) where development is not allowed.
Fragmented habitats can be connected, such as through the use of wildlife corridors. These are essentially "land bridges" that go over highways and provide safe passage for organisms.
Sustainable land use, such as building up, not out, green roofs, and more sustainable agriculture (including more plant-based diets) can reduce habitat destruction.
Destroyed habitats can be restored, such as through reforestation.
Climate change can be fought through more sustainable energy use. Less fossil fuel use and more renewable energy use will help.
Pollutants can be banned and regulated upon learning of their negative effects, as we did with DDT.
Fishing, hunting, and harvesting can be limited to prevent overharvesting.