This diagram covers Key Human Impacts — Visual Summary within Biodiversity and Human Impacts for GCSE Biology. Topic 5: Biodiversity and Human Impacts on Ecosystems It is section 6 of 16 in this topic. Focus on the labels, the relationships between parts, and the explanation that turns the diagram into an exam-ready answer.

🌿 Key Human Impacts — Visual Summary

Painted split-scene comparison of biodiversity. LEFT half shows HIGH BIODIVERSITY: thriving forest with deer, fox, rabbit, butterflies, birds, wildflowers, clear stream. RIGHT half shows LOW BIODIVERSITY: clear-cut stumps, factory smokestack with smoke, polluted brown water with dead fish, plastic litter, monoculture field. Bottom: 5 labelled impact cards (deforestation, pollution, climate change, overfishing, monoculture farming).

Figure 1: The four main pathways by which human activity reduces biodiversity.

Practice questions for Biodiversity and Human Impacts

What is the best definition of biodiversity?

A. The total number of individual organisms in an ecosystem
B. The variety of all different species of organisms on Earth or within a particular ecosystem
C. The process by which species adapt to their environment over time
D. The number of plants found in a habitat

1 markfoundation

Explain why deforestation leads to a reduction in biodiversity.

3 marksstandard

Quick recall flashcards

What is eutrophication and what causes it?

Eutrophication is when excess nutrients (from fertiliser or sewage run-off) enter water. This causes rapid algae growth, blocking sunlight to underwater plants. When algae die and decompose, oxygen is used up, killing aquatic organisms.

What is biodiversity?

The variety of all different species of organisms on Earth, or within a particular ecosystem. Includes the range of different habitats and genetic variation within species.

Key Human Impacts — Visual Summary