The activity described, where people kill elephants for their tusks made of ivory, falls under the threat to biodiversity known as poaching. Poaching is the illegal hunting, killing, or capturing of wild animals, often for profit or personal gain. This activity directly contributes to the decline in the populations of certain species, such as elephants, leading to a loss of biodiversity.
Factors that threaten biodiversity include:
1. Poaching: Involves the illegal hunting or capturing of animals, like elephants for their tusks or rhinos for their horns, which disrupts ecosystems and reduces the populations of endangered species.
2. Habitat destruction: Refers to the degradation, fragmentation, or outright destruction of natural habitats, such as deforestation or urbanization, which diminishes the available space and resources for various species to thrive.
3. Pollution: Occurs when harmful substances are introduced into the environment, affecting ecosystems and species survival. Examples include water pollution from chemicals and air pollution from industrial emissions.
4. Nonnative species: Introduction of nonnative species can outcompete native species for resources, disrupt ecological balances, and lead to the decline or extinction of indigenous plants and animals.
Each of these factors poses a significant threat to biodiversity by impacting the delicate balance of ecosystems and the survival of various species. Efforts to combat these threats involve conservation measures, law enforcement, habitat protection, and raising awareness about the importance of preserving biodiversity for the health of our planet.
