In Western Europe, about 2,000 years ago, 80 percent of that land was forest. It is now decreased to only a fraction of that, 34 percent. Not only that, but the burning of forests to feed farmland decreases vegetation and makes carbon dioxide emissions that much worse. Following that, emissions from that fire can not be recycled by vegetation, leading to worsening global climate change. This is why the government has precautions in place, like FWS, trying to invoke efforts. There are so many different efforts to stop habitat deterioration, but the leading causes still pose a threat to the ecosystems around those habitats. This page is meant to go more into depth about what is going on with the habitats and ecosystems that are in our world today.
Deforestation is the act of cutting down a large plot of trees. While you may think they’re clearing land for a gas station or grocery store on the outside of town, it’s doing much more. The sudden deprivation of trees can cause erosion, leading to unfortunate consequences such as making the environment dry, open, and endangering the rest of the ecosystem that usually survives there. The style of slash and burn agriculture is a technique that is a tool for deforestation in the tropics. To make land fertile for a short few years, these farmers burn clumps of land and fertilize the plants with the ashes. This deforestation is a big cause of habitat loss.
Pollution is also a leading cause in habitat loss or destruction. There are so many ways to pollute the earth, from not throwing away your trash, to throwing it away in a landfill. Even if you throw your trash in a landfill, it’s likely to be dangerous. When trash does end up in a landfill, it might not be contained properly and leave toxic chemicals everywhere and contaminate the plants. This will cause bioaccumulation and could contaminate a whole food chain. The trash also may end up leaking; becoming littered around the world. Even when trash is burned, the heavy metals being released are dangerous and can add to air pollution. There is also plain littering, which can harm animals who mistake it for food. The overall act of pollution is part of the cause for diminishing habitats.
Invasive species can harm the whole ecosystem depending on what it is. Many invasive species were accidental but are still harmful. An invasive species is classified as a foreign species that causes trouble in its new home while being overpopulated. This happens for the most part because there are no predators to balance the weight of the predicament. There are a variety of ways to even out invasive species like introducing other species and viruses. While invasive species may not pose a threat at this moment, it’s a delicate subject where precautions need to be in place.
There are many ways that habitats are threatened. From pollution to deforestation, habitats are being torn down. Luckily with FWS and other organizations, gov’t support, and the support of others, it is likely to slow down to give time for a fix. Habitats have many weak spots. Habitats are very strong with the ecosystems around them, but are still threatened by many causes today.
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