What Are the Causes of the Destruction of Ecosystem?

What Are the Causes of the Destruction of Ecosystem
••• kamilpetran/iStock/GettyImages

Ecosystems consist of the animals, plants and the environmental conditions of an area. Wetlands, mangroves, rainforests and coral reefs are examples of ecosystems. Ecosystems maintain a very delicate balance. Various human activities threaten to disrupt this balance and destroy the world's ecosystems.

Pollution

Pollution is one of the main causes of ecosystem destruction. Pollution can deplete resources and drive away local animal populations. Significant sources of pollution include trash, carbon emissions, oil spills and pesticides.

Climate Change

Climate change continues to play a significant role in the destruction of the ecosystem. Global warming has led to increased temperatures, sea levels and ocean acidity that disrupt an ecosystem's natural balance.

Land Clearing

As human populations increase, so does the need to develop more land. Many ecosystems are destroyed in order to clear land for housing developments and roads, agricultural uses and raising livestock.

Resource Exploitation

Many ecosystems are rich in natural resources like nutrient-rich soil, water, trees and fossil fuels. Excessive efforts to extract these resources like mining, logging and oil drilling contribute to ecosystem destruction.

Population Decline

An ecosystem's animals are vital sources of food and population control. Many animal populations are declining due to overfishing and hunting. Animals are often hunted for their valuable skins, plumage, horns and meat.

Related Articles

What Type of Ecosystem Do Lions Live In?
The Kinds of Human Activities That Have Destroyed Ecosystems
Types of Pollutants
Alaskan Tundra Facts
Definition of a Land Ecosystem
The Effects of Cutting Down Trees on the Ecosystem
Cambodia's Environmental Problems
Aquatic Ecosystem Facts
Depletion of the Ecosystem
Animals in Forest Ecosystems
Landforms and Natural Resources of the Coastal Plain
Examples of Secondary Pollutants
The Average Rainfall in a Fresh Water Ecosystem
Human Influences on the Temperate Rainforest
Animals in a Temperate Climate
How to Make Biomass Pyramids
How to Calculate Statistical Mean
What Are the Impacts of Humans on Grassland Biomes?
Human Effect on the Florida Keys Ecosystem

Dont Go!

We Have More Great Sciencing Articles!