Why are people concerned about the loss of biodiversity?
Our growing population and increasing consumption of natural resources places enormous stresses on natural ecosystems and species within them. Loss of and damage to habitats, over-harvesting, introduction of nonnative species to new areas, and climate change are major causes of species extinction and endangerment. Scientists estimate that species extinctions are occurring100 to 1000 times faster than without human influence. Without a change in our actions half of the world’s species may be lost by 2100.
