Tanzania's biodiversity is under threat from a variety of natural and human factors, similar to other nations. Overexploitation of plant and animal species, the introduction of
non-native species, pollution, and climate change are the greatest threats to
biodiversity in Tanzania. Another issue is habitat loss and degradation brought on by conversion to other land uses, such as
urbanisation, agriculture, and grazing. Loss of biodiversity in water systems is caused by human activities such as
poaching,
deforestation,
bottom trawling in the oceans, unsustainable fishing methods, damming and dredging of streams, rivers, and lakes, and draining and degrading of wetlands, estuaries, and mangroves. Economic expansion, population increase, poverty, the international commerce in plant and animal species, and climate change are all combined to form this activity. Deforestation,
coral bleaching, habitat loss through fires, unplanned land use, uncontrolled resource exploitation, an increase in the trade in
bush meat, and the construction of roads and other infrastructures are all severe risks to ecosystems. One such habitat type that is under great pressure to change into other land forms is wildlife corridors. Mangrove, coral,
dynamite fishing, and illegal fishnet use pose serious threats to habitats in marine ecosystems, while eutrophication and pollution caused by decreased precipitation and increased evaporation, overfishing, illegal fishing, the introduction of exotic fish and species, particularly Nile perch and water hyacinth, and declining water levels pose serious threats to habitats in inland water ecosystems. Unsustainable animal species exploitation puts enormous pressure on habitats in terrestrial ecosystems. Larger carnivores like lions, leopards, cheetahs, and wild dogs as well as populations of elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes (Syncerus caffer), antelopes, wildebeest (Connochaetus taurinus), and black rhinos (Diceros bicornis) are among the key species that are under pressure. ==See also==