1. Habitat loss and degradation: Deforestation, urbanization, mining, and agriculture can lead to the destruction or fragmentation of natural habitats, making it difficult for wild animals to find food, shelter, and reproduce.
2. Climate change: Rising temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events can alter food availability, disrupt breeding cycles, and make some habitats uninhabitable for certain species.
3. Pollution: Toxic chemicals from industries, vehicles, and agriculture can contaminate the environment and enter the food chain, harming wildlife. Plastic pollution, in particular, can be ingested by animals, causing injuries, starvation, and reproductive problems.
4. Overexploitation: Hunting, poaching, and harvesting of wild animals can deplete populations and disrupt ecosystem balance. Over-fishing, for example, can lead to the decline of fish stocks and the loss of biodiversity in marine ecosystems.
5. Invasive species: Non-native species that are introduced into an ecosystem can outcompete native species for resources, spread diseases, and disrupt food webs. Invasive plants, such as kudzu or Japanese knotweed, can form dense thickets that can crowd out native vegetation and reduce available habitat for wildlife.