Human Influences on Ecosystems - Habitat destruction

Deforestation: The removal of large areas of forest leading to habitat loss, reduction in biodiversity, and soil erosion. It also impacts the carbon cycle by reducing the rate of photosynthesis, leading to an increase in atmospheric $CO_2$.

Eutrophication: The process where water bodies receive excess nutrients, specifically nitrates ($NO_3^-$) and phosphates ($PO_4^{3-}$), often from fertilizer leaching. This leads to algal blooms, which block sunlight and cause the death of submerged plants.

Biodiversity Loss: Habitat destruction reduces the number of different species in an ecosystem. This can disrupt food webs and lead to the extinction of endemic species.

Greenhouse Effect: Human activities increase the concentration of greenhouse gases like Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) and Methane ($CH_4$), which trap infrared radiation in the atmosphere, leading to global warming and climate change.

Pollution: Disposal of non-biodegradable plastics and chemical waste (such as heavy metals like $Hg^{2+}$) can accumulate in food chains (biomagnification), harming top predators and destroying aquatic habitats.

Soil Erosion: Without tree roots to stabilize the soil, heavy rain washes away the nutrient-rich topsoil, often leading to the silting of rivers and loss of land fertility.