Final answer:
The option exemplifying direct human-environment interaction is 'a man builds a house on the beach', as it involves significant alteration of the natural landscape and potential impacts on local ecosystems.
Step-by-step explanation:
The option that best exemplifies direct human-environment interaction is 'a man builds a house on the beach.' This choice directly involves altering the natural environment to accommodate human needs, which has immediate and tangible consequences on the landscape and potentially the local ecosystems as well. It is a clear example of how human activities can transform our planet's environment at local levels—similar to examples like farming, fishing, and the construction of dams mentioned in the provided reference material. These actions change ecosystems by clearing natural habitats, depleting species, and redirecting water resources, thereby transforming regional ecosystems.