What is the impact of human activity on biodiversity?

Human activity often leads to a decrease in biodiversity due to a variety of factors associated with land use changes, pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change. As humans expand agriculture, urban development, and industrial activity, natural habitats are frequently converted or fragmented, disrupting ecosystems and the species that depend on them. For instance, deforestation not only reduces the number of trees but also affects the myriad species that live in or rely on forest ecosystems.

Pollution from human activities can degrade air, water, and soil quality, adversely impacting the health of various organisms. Additionally, climate change driven by human actions affects global temperatures and patterns, disproportionately affecting species that are unable to adapt or migrate in response to changing conditions.

Furthermore, the introduction of invasive species through human activity can threaten local biodiversity by outcompeting native organisms for resources or introducing diseases. The cumulative effects of these activities generally result in reduced species richness and ecosystem resilience, highlighting the critical influence of human actions on biodiversity levels.

In contrast to the other options, which either underestimate or misinterpret the relationship between human activity and biodiversity, this understanding underscores the importance of sustainable practices to preserve and protect the natural world.