Final answer:
Anthropogenic environmental changes occur when human activities surpass the environment's assimilative capacity, leading to potential ecosystem collapse and affecting biodiversity on a global scale. These changes are a result of activities like industrialization, deforestation, and resource extraction, and are not limited to urban areas.
Step-by-step explanation:
In regards to assimilative capacity, anthropogenic environmental changes occur when human activities exceed the environment's ability to absorb and adapt. This occurs in the presence of high levels of pollution, significant habitat alteration, or extensive resource depletion. Environmental changes such as depletion of the ozone layer, desertification, and climate change are examples of anthropogenic effects caused by human activities, including industrial processes, deforestation, and the burning of fossil fuels. Anthropogenic effects are not limited to urban areas; they can occur in any location where human activities significantly alter the natural landscape.
For instance, when we think of the term anthropogenic, which refers to effects or objects resulting from human activity, examples include logging a forest (as it transforms a natural environment into a modified one) or creating urban sprawl which disrupts local ecosystems. The ability of humans to alter their environment to increase its carrying capacity—through developments such as advanced agricultural techniques and high-quality shelter construction—is a key factor in how we influence the biosphere. Nonetheless, this increase in carrying capacity can sometimes be to the detriment of other species and the environment's long-term viability.