How does human activity typically impact ecosystems?

Human activity typically impacts ecosystems by causing drastic and often detrimental changes. This can encompass a wide range of actions, including urbanization, deforestation, pollution, and climate change. Such activities alter habitats, reduce biodiversity, and disrupt ecological relationships. For instance, the introduction of pollutants can lead to the degradation of water quality, affecting both aquatic life and the organisms that rely on these water sources. Additionally, habitat destruction often results in species displacement and extinction. These drastic changes can have cascading effects throughout the food web, impacting not just the targeted species but also their predators, prey, and the overall health of the ecosystem. Thus, the influence of human activity is often characterized by significant shifts that can lead to long-term ecological imbalance.