Human interactions with ecosystems can be negative, such as pollution and deforestation, or positive. Scientists and concerned citizens have put in place programmes to reduce the negative effects of humans on ecosystems and biodiversity. These include:
- breeding programmes for endangered species
- protection and regeneration of rare habitats
- reintroduction of field margins and hedgerows in agricultural areas where farmers grow only one type of crop
- reduction of deforestation and carbon dioxide emissions by some governments
- recycling resources rather than dumping waste in landfill
Hedgerows and field margins give wildlife a habitat where only one crop is grown, which increases biodiversity. Recycling reduces the land and pollution caused by landfill.
There are conflicting pressures. Farmers and governments need to produce food, fuel and jobs, and this may mean clearing land. Protecting biodiversity costs money and may reduce profit, so the benefits and costs have to be weighed up.