The pervasive alteration of global ecosystems is mainly the result of?

The pervasive alteration of global ecosystems is primarily attributed to human activities. This encompasses a broad range of actions, including urbanization, deforestation, industrialization, agriculture, and pollution. These activities have fundamentally changed land use patterns, leading to habitat destruction, loss of biodiversity, and altered nutrient cycles. For instance, the expansion of agriculture often results in the clearing of forests and wetlands, which are critical habitats for countless species. Additionally, human-induced emissions contribute significantly to climate change, further compounding the alterations of ecosystems.

While global climate change is indeed a significant factor affecting ecosystems, it is largely driven by human activities, making the latter the more comprehensive cause. The movement of continents by plate tectonics is a geological process that occurs over millions of years and does not relate directly to current alterations in ecosystems. Similarly, while wildfires have increased in frequency and can impact ecosystems, they are often a result of climate conditions and human management practices, rather than a primary cause of widespread ecosystem alteration.