ecological impact
Nature's burden measured
Ecological impact refers to the effect that human activities, natural events, or other factors have on ecosystems and their components—plants, animals, water, soil, air.
The term usually implies significant or measurable change: The ecological impact of the oil spill was devastating.
Environmental assessments evaluate ecological impact before approving development projects.
The phrase often carries negative connotations, though impacts can theoretically be neutral or beneficial.
- invasive speciesHarmful non-native organism
- endangered speciesOrganisms facing extinction risk
- water contaminationHarmful substances in drinking supply
- urban sprawlUncontrolled peripheral development
- deforestationLarge-scale woodland elimination
climate change · coral bleaching · bioaccumulation · air pollution · population decline · food chain · biodiversity · desertification · ocean acidification · dead zone · ecosystem · greenhouse gases · carrying capacity · wildlife corridors · industrial pollution · species extinction · mass extinction · overfishing
- marine huntingseal hunting, seal hunt, seal hunters, sealing, whaling
- outdoor recreationhiking, camping, fishing, swimming, skiing
- forestrysilviculture, forests, forestry, reforestation, timber
- invasive speciesinvasive species, lionfish, emerald ash borer, noxious weeds, kudzu
- land usezoning ordinances, suburban sprawl, land management, arable land, industrial
- light pollutionlight pollution, skyglow, overlighting, dark skies, uplight
ecological impactecological restoration
Repairing damaged natural environments
carbon neutrality · rewilding · habitat restoration · reforestation · carbon sequestration
ecological impacteconomic impact
Financial consequence of events
financial impact · social impact · human cost · monetary value · cultural impact