If one species goes extinct, all other plants and animals in the ecosystem are affected. If insects and animals that are
essential for pollination are removed, flowering plants suffer, and in turn so do the animals that feed on them. Photo by Maya Walters.
|
What effects does the loss of biodiversity have on forests, and on humans? The loss of even one species can ruin an entire forest ecosystem of plants and animals. The animals that depended on this vanished species as prey have now lost their food source. In turn, the animals that it fed on have lost a predator, and these species often undergo population explosions which are devastating for the plants or animals that they feed on. |
| The entire ecosystem can collapse in this manner, and is therefore prevented from performing its usual "ecosystem services", a utilitarian term for the natural processes which provide rich soil, clean water, and the air we breathe. |
loss of biodiversity -- page 2 of 5
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
related topics
[biodiversity] [forest life] [soil] [water]
view the condensed version of the loss of biodiversity article for faster printing/reading
return to the threats to forests article