Downsides of reduced biodiversity
More vulnerable to invasive species, disease, and climate change.
What is the largest forest in the world that is being affected by habitat loss?
The Amazon rainforest is being affected by deforestation.
What is the name for the overall temperature shift caused by human activities such as habitat loss?
Global warming.
How can a decrease in biodiversity impact the ecosystem?
It can lead to a decrease in plants, leaving animals without food sources and causing a full collapse or takeover by invasive species.
What is the definition of habitat loss?
Habitat loss is the removal of any natural resources that other living things rely on.
How many plants are harvested every year by humans for medicinal uses?
Close to 50,000 plants a year.
What impact can decreased biodiversity have on oxygen production?
Decreased biodiversity can lead to a decrease in photosynthesizing plants, leaving less oxygen for the world.
How many acres of trees do we have left in the world today?
4 billion hectares.
How many billions of trees are estimated to have been destroyed by humans every year?
How many species of organism do we have now as compared to 50 years ago?
The overall amount of species throughout the world has decreased over the last 50 years.
What are some methods of habitat destruction?
Can a lack of biodiversity lead to less food for humans?
Yes, food plants we rely on such as flowers rely on other organisms like pollinators to survive, so without full biodiversity, they cannot reproduce.
What is the name of the crucial insect and pollinator that is being heavily affected by a decrease in biodiversity?
Bees
How many animals are affected by habitat loss annually?
An estimated 30,000 animals are affected by habitat loss every year.
Can habitat loss and a decrease in biodiversity affect water quality?
Yes, it can.