How Have Humans Impacted the Ecosystem?

Natural ecosystems are involved in a wide variety of natural processes that support life for many creatures, including humans. Human activity has impacted the ecosystems in direct and indirect routes that can damage these fragile networks.

Ocean Pollution

• The ocean is being polluted through the discharge of sewage, toxic chemicals, manufacturing wastes, fertilizers, soaps, detergents, runoff and insecticides. Pollution drains into the ocean killing marine life, harming human health and produces toxic algae blooms.

Population Growth

• Human growth in population impacts the ecosystem through consumption of limited resources and land use expansion to accommodate for more people. This causes a destruction of habitat that can endanger the lives of many creatures who rely on the ecosystem being redirected for human needs.

Animal Extinction

• The number and geographical spread of animal and plant populations have declined due to human consumption and expansion. Christián Samper, Ph.D, of the National Museum of Natural History states that human activity is the reason there has been between 50 and 1,000 times more extinctions in the last 100 years than what would have naturally occurred.