As we make more room for people, we often overlook the homes that are being destroyed in the process. Deforestation for construction can have a huge impact on many different animal species. Mining and extraction activities: Oil and gas extraction and mining also a major contributor to deforestation. 1. Large-scale infrastructure: Housing, roads, hydropower projects. When habitats are destroyed, many species die out. All around you are elements that could easily cause you harm and there is no escaping. Facebook Twitter Linkedin EMail. Industrial agriculture: Clearing of forests to make room for the production of palm oil, soy etc. 4. Habitat loss is a serious problem for wildlife and humans alike. Global warming is a process that human activity has contributed to. Videos and photos help to visually present the unfortunate circumstances that environmental destruction can create, evoking emotional responses that will inspire others to take action to protect natural habitats. Everything from blades of grass to the tallest trees serves a purpose. Wetland habitats are quite delicate, and they can be easily destroyed. Many animals use natural shelters to hide from their predictors. Habitat destruction is a huge problem in the marine environment. Earthquakes can physically move the land, and may be associated with subsequent tsunamis. When the ocean temperatures rise; there are other associated adverse impacts that are experienced in the aquatic environment.The heat melts the icecaps and as a result, there is a resultant rise in the ocean level. (And 7 Ways to Reuse Them). Extra land is needed to grow more edible goods and more land has to be cleared to meet these needs. Human error or intent can result in forest fires. As wildlife is displaced, it changes their entire way of living. There is habitat destruction which is done by completely removing trees and plants and instantly changing the landscape. In addition, promoting the use of renewable energy sources and finding alternatives to deforestation may help slow down the effects of global warming. Finally, there is habitat degradation. Examples of natural disasters that can be devastating include earthquakes, floods, and tornadoes. When we make way for homes and buildings, the land has to be level in order for the building to be stable and for the construction process to begin. (And 9 Ways to Reuse Old Photos), Are Aluminum Cans Recyclable? For example, the trees are used to create various paper products, and wood is also used for the production of furniture and miscellaneous items. This quote perfectly captures the way humans are ripping out the “heart” of nature's wildlife. Rainforest Action Network: this website for the Rainforest Action Network (RAN) is full of information about tropical habitat destruction. Other ways people directly destroy habitat include filling in wetlands, dredging rivers, mowing fields, and cutting down trees.Habitat fragmentation: Much of the remaining terrestrial wildlife habitat in the U.S. has been cut up into fragments by roads and development. It is a priority of many groups that cannot be easily characterized in terms of any one ideology . The loss of habitat has far-reaching impacts on the planet’s ability to sustain life, but even with the challenges, there is hope for the future. The melted … Copyright © Environment 911. The home you’ve lived in for your entire life is gone. Consequently, temperatures are becoming more unpleasant for us as time goes on and additional greenhouse gases fill the air. For the many animals that depend on migration to preserve their species, fragmenting habitats takes away this advantage. The increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere keeps solar heat in the atmosphere. Many species use their homes as a place to find solace from predators. Habitat Loss by Habitat Discover the status of key habitats around the world, including forests, oceans, coral reefs, the disappearing Arctic, wetlands and freshwater ecosystems. Tornadoes can physically rip trees out of the ground and crush vegetation with debris that is strewn about. Many plants can no longer grow because the composition and soil quality is instantly changed, taking away the nutrients and the space that plants need to grow. Either way, the end result can be devastating to species that live in grasslands or forests that are damaged by fire. As Wildlife Habitat Without habitat, there is no wildlife. Also, young animals need to be cared for in various ways in the wild. All Rights Reserved. 4. Learn why habitat fragmentation is such a problem for wildlife and how it impacts species here in the UK. Habitat loss from agriculture affects numerous animals all over the world. Destruction causes instant harm to habitats and kills many species in the process. Rules regarding construction activities around wetlands are not being implemented,” Pimplapure added. Destruction of nature as dangerous as climate change, ... “Governments recognise we have a problem. Amphibians are found in a great variety of ecosystems from tropical rainforests to arid deserts (Stebbins and Cohen 1995). Efforts to mitigate destruction can be attempted by planting trees and plants native to a specific area where there has been destruction. 7. Unlike the forests where we cut down trees and make the land more compact from above, we fill wetlands to cover them up so that we can build things on top of them. Swamps and marshes are examples of areas known as wetlands. In addition, efforts to irrigate farmland and provide water for farm animals can impact habitat, either by taking water from an area, or adding water to an area that was previously dry. Other important causes of habitat destruction include mining, logging, and urban sprawl. Top Habitat destruction, alteration and fragmentation May 7, 2008 Habitat destruction, alteration and fragmentation are probably the most serious causes of current and future amphibian population declines and species extinctions (Dodd and Smith 2003). Logging industry: Timber for the construction industry, production of furniture and other goods etc. All Rights Reserved . 25+ Terrific Reasons to Buy and Eat Locally Grown Food, How Choosing Blinds Can Save on Your Energy Bills, 40 Astounding Ways to Protect and Conserve Wildlife. This change in temperature is killing various species, especially in regions where the changes are extreme. They are also destroyed so that their materials can be used to keep us comfortable. Pollution from toxic substances such as Habitat destruction is one of the biggest threats facing plants and animal species throughout the world. The bulldozer is not only killing the trees and other plants that it is running over, but it is killing the living area of multiple species. 2. Coastal development: habitats are destroyed when marshes are dredged for real estate development. ), Can You Recycle Lotion Bottles? Habitats are not always destroyed to use the land for humans to live. Scientists explain that when there is higher concentration of carbon dioxide in the air, the water absorbs much of it. (And 7 Ways to Reuse), Are Egg Shells Recyclable? Another type of habitat loss takes place by altering the land in a way that confuses the animals and disrupts their natural way of living. (And 10 Ways to Reuse Egg Shells), Why are Forests Important and 20+ Unbelievable Reasons For Loss of Forests, 35 Reasons Why We Need to be Environmentally Conscious, Methods and Importance of Environmental Conservation, Various Human Activities That Affect an Ecosystem, Can You Recycle Propane Tanks? As humans destroy natural habitats, we are hurting ourselves because it is contributing to global warming and climate change. Lightning strikes can also result in serious fires. Clearing habitats for agriculture, for example, is the principal cause of habitat destruction. Known as invasive species, they naturally contribute to the downfall of other animals and plants. Unlike in the past, when small areas of land were used to grow crops for families and local communities, farming is now a big business that can be run by large corporations and it requires the mass production of foods that are able to quickly be sold for profit. (And Are They Compostable? 4. The U.S. is actually the largest beef producer, and therefore our local plant and wildlife is greatly affected. As per Wikipedia. Life in the wild is instinctual with everything being interconnected. Comprehensive education regarding the environment helps people to understand how necessary biodiversity is and teaches ways in which everyone can contribute to causes that aid in keeping many different species alive. For example, ancient woodland now covers just 2% of the UK. Habitat destruction is damage to an area that certain species live in, to the extent that the species can no longer survive in that area. Many of them now stand where there was once only wildlife and natural habitats. This scenario would be sad, extremely overwhelming, and many people would not survive. 5. All linked to human activity and a hungry consumer economy. During bad weather, natural shelters are very similar to human homes, serving as protection from storms, heavy rain, or extreme temperatures. The destruction of habitat leaves species with less space to find everything they need to survive. Overview. We must also consider what happens to the ground. Burning fossil fuels and deforestation have both contributed to increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. (And Is It Bad For Environment), Are Solar Panels Recyclable? As this happens, species that were once native to a region begin to die from these negative environmental changes. Animals store their food and water in case the food and water are no longer in the season. Analysis of International Environmental Problems : a look at the human view of deforestation--who are the people who cut down the forests, why do they continue to do it, and their effects on wildlife habitat. Floods can destroy the vegetation and cause erosion of the land. To you nature as dangerous as climate change,... “ Governments we... Amounts of land are used to grow more edible goods and more land has to be cared for in Ways... Is higher concentration of carbon dioxide in the area of habitat destruction include mining,,... 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