Final answer:
Three critical factors that can limit biodiversity are habitat loss, overharvesting, and the introduction of exotic species. These result in the destruction of habitats, unsustainable harvesting rates, and competition or predation by non-native species, respectively. Climate change is also an emerging significant factor impacting biodiversity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The factors that can limit biodiversity include a wide range of ecological and human-driven issues, but three critical factors stand out:
- Habitat loss: This occurs through deforestation, urban development, and agriculture expansion, resulting in the destruction of natural habitats for plants and animals. For example, when a forest is cut down to make way for a new city or farmland, the species that lived in that forest may become endangered or extinct.
- Overharvesting: This refers to the excessive hunting, fishing, or collecting of species at rates that cannot be sustained by natural reproduction. A classic example is the overfishing of certain fish species, which can lead to a drastic reduction in their populations, affecting the food chain and ecosystem balance.
- Introduction of exotic species: When non-native species are introduced to a new environment, either intentionally or accidentally, they can outcompete, prey upon, or bring diseases to native species, leading to declines in biodiversity. The introduction of the brown tree snake to Guam, which led to the extinction of several bird species, is a well-known instance of this phenomenon.
Other factors such as climate change are also significant and are projected to become increasingly influential on biodiversity in the future, due to the alteration of habitats and global ecosystems.