Animals depend on particular habitats for their survival. For example, many North American songbirds escape winter's food shortage by flying to tropical forests; and tadpoles develop only in healthy ponds and streams. When these places vanish, the animals that depend on them die out. Today songbirds, frogs, and many other species are threatened as tropical rainforests and North American wetlands are destroyed.
Why is habitat destroyed?
There are many causes of habitat destruction, including logging, mining, oil drilling, and exploiting other natural resources; clearing land for agriculture and cattle ranches; development for residential areas; and roads for people to do all these activities.
An acre of tropical forest disappears every second
Half of the planet's plant and animal species live in rainforests. Less
than 2.5 billion acres of tropical forest remain from the
four billion acres on Earth just a few hundred years ago. That translates to a huge loss of habitat, and the likely extinction of untold species. Most of the deforestation has occurred
in the last few decades. If the present rate of destruction continues,
today’s forests will be gone by the year 2081. Most of the U.S. tropical forests—in Hawaii, Puerto
Rico, and other territories—have been destroyed or severely damaged.
Wetlands are vanishing
Wetlands are increasingly under threat in the United States.
They often disappear in bits and pieces as developers
fill in small ponds or parts of swamps and deltas.
The cumulative effect, however, can be devastating for wildlife
and people. In some states, more than 90 percent of wetlands have
vanished. Wetlands not only support wildlife but also filter
the drinking supply humans rely on.
Habitats near you
Of course, habitat loss isn't something that happens in wetlands and tropical forests. Prairies, temperate forests, deserts, coastal regions, coral reefs, mangroves—these are just some of the ecosystems in the United States at risk. There may be wild places near your home that are threatened.
What can you do to combat habitat loss?
- Get involved with habitat issues in your community.
- Maintain your own backyard so that it benefits animals
and plants. Learn about the
National Wildlife Federation's Backyard Wildlife Habitat program. - Plant native trees and bushes across your lawn. See NWF's website to learn what's native to your area.
- Reduce or eliminate the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Many conservation organizations work to conserve habitat. Learn more about the issues and find out what you can do to help:
Conservation International
Environmental Defense
National Wildlife Federation
National Audubon Society
Natural Resources Defense Council
The Nature Conservancy
Rainforest Action Network
Wilderness Society
World Wildlife Fund (U.S.) | World Wide Fund for Nature (global)
