Anthropogenic Effects on Biodiversity

Humans are consumers and rely on the environment surrounding them for survival. Early in human history our populations were small and resources were relatively unlimited. However, our numbers have been increasing exponentially and with this population explosion has come greater demands for resources. Frequently, our development and resource allocation causes detrimental environmental impacts. For instance, destruction and fragmentation of habitats and increased pollution have led to a reduction in animal abundance and species richness. Severe impacts on some habitats have left many species without adequate resources available to survive, which ultimately results in extinction. “It is the nature of human beings to control their environment as much as possible. It allows our species to spread to new habitats and obtain new sources of food.” (Otten 2001). Unfortunately, our self-centered society tends to ignore the needs of the world’s diverse biota and rarely understands the importance of their existence. The current extinction rate has been estimated to be higher than the mass “Cretaceous Extinction”, which killed off the dinosaurs and was caused by an asteroid impact. This review will discuss: the importance of maintaining biodiversity, specific anthropogenic effects on biodiversity, as well as cite examples where conservation efforts have successfully “turned the tide”