Biomes And Ecosystems Questions
Habitat fragmentation refers to the process of breaking up large, continuous habitats into smaller, isolated patches. This fragmentation occurs due to human activities such as urbanization, deforestation, and infrastructure development. As a result, the remaining habitat patches become separated by barriers such as roads, buildings, or agricultural fields. This fragmentation can have detrimental effects on the biodiversity and functioning of ecosystems. It can lead to the loss of species, disruption of ecological processes, reduced genetic diversity, and increased vulnerability to invasive species. Additionally, habitat fragmentation can hinder the movement and migration of organisms, limit their access to resources, and increase the risk of extinction for certain species. Conservation efforts often focus on mitigating habitat fragmentation by creating wildlife corridors or protected areas to connect fragmented habitats and promote the movement of species.