Habitat fragmentation and…

Habitat fragmentation and isolation is considered one of the major drivers of species endangerment and extinction. Without continuity between habitats, habitats will shrink in size and become more environmentally and biologically homogenized. This decrease in habitat diversity will put pressure on certain species, especially those that are specialized to live within very particular conditions. As a result, species adapted to live under a wide range of conditions will dominate new homogenized habitats and push out those species with narrow tolerance ranges. Isolating habitats from one another could also impede species migrations and species interactions which could not only be detrimental to individuals within the species but could also reduce genetic variability within populations as individuals become increasingly cut off from one another. Decreasing genetic variability due to a reduction in gene flow will increase the occurrence of inbreeding and will lead to inbreeding depression within a population over time. Decreasing habitat fragmentation and isolation will increase habitat heterogeneity and provide species with the means to protect themselves thereby reducing the chances of endangerment and the need for human intervention. Habitat fragmentation can be reduced by interventions such as migration corridors and gradients at regional scales.