Ecosystem degradation

Definition

Ecosystem degradation refers to the decline in the health and functionality of an ecosystem due to various pressures, such as pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change. This process diminishes biodiversity and disrupts ecosystem services, which are the benefits that humans derive from healthy ecosystems, including clean air, water, and food production. As ecosystems degrade, their ability to support diverse plant and animal life diminishes, further impacting the services they provide to society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Ecosystem degradation can be caused by human activities such as deforestation, urbanization, and industrial pollution.
2. The loss of biodiversity due to ecosystem degradation can lead to a collapse of food webs and disrupt essential ecological processes.
3. Healthy ecosystems provide critical services like water purification and carbon sequestration, which are compromised when ecosystems degrade.
4. Climate change exacerbates ecosystem degradation by altering species distributions and disrupting seasonal patterns crucial for reproduction and migration.
5. Restoration efforts can help combat ecosystem degradation by reintroducing native species and rehabilitating natural habitats.

Review Questions

• How does ecosystem degradation impact biodiversity within affected environments?
  • Ecosystem degradation negatively affects biodiversity by reducing the variety of species that can thrive in a compromised environment. As habitats are altered or destroyed, many species lose their homes or food sources, leading to population declines or extinctions. This loss of biodiversity further diminishes the ecosystem's resilience and ability to recover from disturbances, ultimately disrupting ecological balance.
• Discuss the relationship between ecosystem services and the concept of ecosystem degradation.
  • Ecosystem services are directly linked to the health of ecosystems; thus, when ecosystems experience degradation, the services they provide become compromised. For instance, if wetlands are degraded, their ability to filter pollutants and provide habitat for wildlife diminishes. This not only impacts biodiversity but also affects human well-being since we rely on these services for clean water, food security, and climate regulation.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of unchecked ecosystem degradation on human societies and economies.
  • Unchecked ecosystem degradation can lead to severe long-term consequences for human societies and economies. As ecosystems fail to provide essential services like clean air and water or agricultural productivity, communities may face resource scarcity and increased vulnerability to natural disasters. This decline in resource availability can spark economic instability, health crises, and social conflicts over dwindling resources. In turn, this creates a cycle that further exacerbates environmental degradation as communities may resort to unsustainable practices to survive.

Related terms

Biodiversity:

The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, including the diversity of species, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity.

Ecosystem services: The benefits that humans obtain from ecosystems, including provisioning services like food and water, regulating services such as climate regulation, cultural services like recreation, and supporting services like nutrient cycling.

Habitat loss: The process by which natural habitats are altered or destroyed, leading to a decline in biodiversity and the functions that those habitats provide.