Final answer:
The greatest loss of biological wealth over the past 12,000 years has resulted from habitat destruction caused by human activities such as farming, logging, fishing, and construction. Deforestation and overharvesting are major contributors to this loss, resulting in a significant decline in biodiversity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The greatest loss of biological wealth over the past 12,000 years has resulted from habitat destruction through various human activities such as farming, logging, fishing, and construction.
For example, deforestation has led to the destruction of 80% of the world's original forests, contributing to climate change and resulting in a significant loss of biodiversity.
This loss is also linked to overharvesting of species, such as bushmeat hunting in tropical regions, as expanding human populations seek new sources of protein and create potentially profitable trade routes.