How Humanity is Disrupting Ecosystems and Wildlife

Since humans have spread worldwide, they have affected every corner of the planet in various unexpected ways. While habitat destruction and climate change are well-known causes of environmental damage, other things can negatively affect the environment.

Noise Pollution

Human noise has become an issue in places that used to be quiet, such as the ocean. While marine wildlife still make calls and clicks in the ocean, they compete with ships, submarines, seismic surveys, and oil extraction facilities.

The increasing number of ships and other vessels that pass through certain shipping routes has caused the noise levels to rise significantly. This has affected the ability of underwater creatures to function. In addition, humans have become known as super predators, which makes other animals afraid of them.

When a wild animal kills, it usually abandons the body the second it hears a human voice. This behavior is caused by the constant noise levels in the area where it lives. If the animals are exposed to excessive amounts of noise, they may develop hearing loss. This could affect their ability to respond to environmental cues.

Human arrogance

Habitat destruction isn’t just limited to the tropics. It’s a regular issue in every nation because of how humans have expanded. With the human population quickly surpassing seven billion people, people need space to live. We also consume a lot of food and leisure activities away from other people.

Humans also use vast amounts of land for their own purposes, such as land clearing and agriculture. When these activities are combined with industrial activities, such as mining, logging, and oil and gas extraction, they severely affect the habitats of wild animals.

The amount of wilderness on Earth has decreased significantly, and this has led to the loss of biodiversity. The effects of climate change also contribute to this decline.

Light Pollution

Most people have probably heard of light pollution, which is the issue that prevents people from seeing stars at night. While it might be annoying, nothing that’s harmful to the environment is too much for the creatures that rely on the moon for guidance.

Unfortunately, sea turtles are not able to adapt to the effects of light pollution. All of the species that live in the ocean are affected by this issue, and the biggest hit is the leatherback, loggerhead, and green sea turtles. When female sea turtles come ashore, they lay their eggs and head back to the sea. Then, the baby sea turtles follow the light of the moon to find the ocean.

Unfortunately, many cities have lights that are confusing and can cause animals to go in the wrong direction. These animals get hit by cars and die of exhaustion.