Human influences on ecosystems

Interactions between the community of organisms and their environment

Number of different species living in an area

Increased housing, crop and livestock production, extraction of resources, global warming and freshwater/marine pollution

• Loss of animal species which use plants for food/shelter • Carbon stored in the trees is released as carbon dioxide when they are burnt or left to rot. • Creates floods as trees absorb rainwater from roots and release it as water vapour 4.Soil erosion as trees provide a protective cover for top soil which contains the most nutrients, blocks rivers and stops trees from regrowing

• Captive breeding programs for endangered species • Seed banks • Educating people • Monitoring and protecting habitats