Pollution

Pollution such as chemical runoff is a very serious matter as well. There are many causes to pollution such as transportation, factories, construction, mining or resource extraction, and many others. The discharge created through these processes can affect species and habitats both directly and indirectly. The direct effects are what most people think of when they think of this topic. Factories sometimes release waste directly into the environment, such as into rivers. The waste directly affects animals that inhabit those rivers. Through the food chain, we know that those animals are eaten by others, and those animals are affected as well. The Rainforest Conservation Fund tells us that “In developing countries approximately 90% of wastewater is discharged, untreated, directly into waterways.” This has a major impact on environmental systems and biodiversity.  Chemicals that are released into the environment can also have long term affects by changing the balance of chemicals in systems, and harming or even killing individuals in those systems.

Sources:

Rainforest Conservation Fund. "5) Causes of Recent Declines in Biodiversity."Rainforest Conservation Fund RSS. N.p., 02 Mar. 2010. Web. 04 May 2015.

National History Museum. "What Threatens Our Biodiversity?" What Threatens Our Biodiversity? N.p., n.d. Web. 04 May 2015.

Image: http://www.grinningplanet.com/2006/12-05/water-cartoon.htm