The growth of the human population has impacted the planet and affected biodiversity. The need for food, space and raw materials has resulted in destruction of habitats and pollution.
Natural hazards include forest fires, earthquakes, volcanic activity, tsunamis and hurricanes.
Natural hazards generally decrease biodiversity. They can either kill organisms directly or destroy their habitats so that they are no longer able to live in the area where the hazard occurred.
For example, forest fires result in the loss of habitats for bird and insect species.
Biodiversity can be maintained by the conservation of endangered species.
Methods of conservation of endangered species include: