Question

Taking one example each of habitat loss and fragmentation, explain how are the two responsible for biodiversity loss.

Answer 1

Habitat loss and fragmentation are key causes of biodiversity loss. Habitat loss occurs when natural habitats like tropical rainforests are cleared, for example, due to cattle ranching or timber exploitation, drastically reducing the area available for species to survive. Tropical rainforests, once covering 14% of the Earth, now cover only 6%, resulting in the extinction of many species. Fragmentation occurs when large habitats are broken into smaller patches by human activities, affecting species needing extensive territories or migratory routes. This leads to population declines and extinction of sensitive species. Together, these processes reduce species survival by limiting food, breeding, and living spaces.