Which term defines an environmental impact as a consequence of human activity that leads to detrimental ecological changes?

The term that defines an environmental impact as a consequence of human activity that leads to detrimental ecological changes is environmental degradation. This concept encompasses the deterioration of the environment through the depletion of resources, loss of biodiversity, and the pollution of air, water, and soil. It results from various human activities, such as industrial processes, deforestation, and urbanization, which disrupt natural ecosystems and lead to adverse effects on the environment.

In contrast, ecological footprint measures the environmental impact of an individual or community in terms of the amount of land and water needed to sustain their lifestyle, which does not specifically address the ecological changes caused by activity. Sustainability refers to practices that maintain ecological balance and avoid depletion of natural resources, aiming for a positive coexistence with the environment rather than detailing the negative consequences of human activities. Biodiversity loss is a consequence of environmental degradation, focusing specifically on the extinction or reduction of various species, rather than the broader concept of ecological changes that include habitat destruction, pollution, and resource depletion. Thus, environmental degradation is the most appropriate term for describing the overall detrimental ecological changes brought on by human activities.