What impact do human activities have on biodiversity hotspots?

Human activities significantly lead to a decrease in species diversity, particularly in biodiversity hotspots. These areas are biologically rich but also highly vulnerable to the impacts of human interference. Activities such as deforestation, urban development, pollution, and climate change destroy habitats, disrupt ecosystems, and contribute to the extinction of species. As habitats are lost or altered, the delicate balance of ecosystems is disrupted, which ultimately reduces the number of species that can survive in these environments.

Biodiversity hotspots are characterized by having a high degree of endemism – species that are unique to that particular region. When human activities encroach upon these areas, not only do individual species face threats from habitat destruction, but the overall ecological integrity of the hotspot is compromised. This can lead to a cascading effect where the loss of one species may impact others, further driving down biodiversity. Since these regions are critical for maintaining a wide range of ecosystem services – from water purification to carbon storage – their degradation through human activity poses a serious risk to both wildlife and human communities.