Human Impact on Biodiversity

Growth of the human population is a major factor affecting the environment. Overpopulation means that there are more people than there are resources to meet their needs. Almost all the environmental problems we face today can be traced back to the increase in population in the world. Human activities decrease the earth’s biodiversity by causing the premature extinction of species and by destroying or degrading habitats needed for the development of new species. As environmental conditions change, the balance between formation of new species and extinction of existing species determines the earth’s biodiversity. The Earth has limited resources to support the organisms that live on it. Increasing human population numbers are putting great pressure on many of these limited resources and deplete those resources which cannot be renewed.  
Fossil fuels are becoming rapidly depleted. The uses of these fuels are adding to our air pollution problems. The search and demand for additional fossil fuel resources also impact ecosystems in a negative way. Industrialization has brought an increased demand for the use of energy. One of the ways the increased burning of fossil fuels has had a harmful influence on the environment is by causing an increased incidence of acid precipitation.  
In addition to raw materials for industry, we use animals for energy and transportation, and biomass for heat and other fuels. Since the first microorganisms competed for food, evolution has been producing chemicals for warfare and defense in bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals. Air pollution knows no boundaries and there is growing concern about its effects on the climate. Acid rain, ozone depletion, and global warming each affect diversity.
Water pollution threatens vital freshwater and marine resources in the US and throughout the world. Industrial and agricultural chemicals, waste, acid rain, and global warming threaten waters which are essential for all ecosystems.
Soil contamination...