A review of over 2,000 studies confirms that human activity is the leading cause of widespread biodiversity loss across all of Earth’s species.

While biodiversity loss is well-documented, this study represents one of the largest synthesis of the human impact on biodiversity ever conducted worldwide. The study revealed how human activities have put distinct pressure particularly on community composition (the measure of which species live where) ultimately plummeting biodiversity numbers. Of the species studied, reptiles, amphibians and mammals recorded the greatest impact caused by humans.

The analysis investigated five drivers of biodiversity decline: habitat loss, overexploitation of resources, climate change, invasive species, and pollution. It is worth noting that these factors align with the findings outlined in the World Wildlife Fund’s 2024 Living Planet Report, which reported that of the species observed, global wildlife populations have declined by an average of 73% since 1970. Although the full impact of climate change on biodiversity remains unclear, these factors were found to impact all groups of organisms, in all ecosystems. Agricultural-driven pollution and habitat changes, especially intensive arable farming with heavy pesticides and fertilizers, have proven to reduce species diversity and negatively alter ecosystems.

Likewise pollution, especially plastic, is a major driver of biodiversity loss and environmental degradation, critically impacting marine and terrestrial ecosystems. A new analysis illustrates this idea, finding that Coca-Cola’s plastic waste in oceans and waterways is projected to reach 602 million kilograms annually by 2030 – an amount large enough to fill the stomachs of 18 million whales. This further emphasizes the impacts of pollution on wildlife and reinforces the growing need for stronger conservation efforts and policies.

While human impact was found to be negative, the study also found that its effects vary by location. The research highlights issues like the “elevator to extinction,” where high-altitude plants are unable to migrate, so instead they are being replaced by those that typically grow at lower altitudes, thus reducing diversity in these regions.

Experts have long-known that humans are drastically altering biodiversity, but the article presents a greater challenge – ensuring that species can coexist with us in the future, maintaining large enough populations and genetic diversity to sustain the key ecological functions that we depend on. This study serves as a crucial benchmark for conservation efforts, highlighting the urgent need for us to shift our impact from harmful to beneficial. How? By taking action to reverse biodiversity loss and promote species survival and diversity.

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