Cause of Extinction: Other Factors

We know less about other factors that probably contribute to the decline of biological diversity. We know little about how changes in our atmosphere, such as global warming or ozone depletion, is affecting other life forms. However it is becoming more apparent every day that climate change is, and will have a significant impact on the planets species.

Disease and insect infestations, which are natural and nonthreatening phenomena in many ecosystems, can deal a death blow to populations weakened or depleted by other pressures.

We know very little about how all these factors interact to affect plant and animal populations. We do know, however, that these “natural” changes are becoming proportionately less significant as human impacts increase in magnitude, intensity, and duration.

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