Habitat Destruction
HABITAT DESTRUCTION
🔹 What is a Habitat?
A habitat is the natural home of plants, animals, and microorganisms where they get:
Food
Water
Shelter
Space to reproduce
🔹 What is Habitat Destruction?
Habitat destruction happens when natural environments are damaged or completely removed, making them unable to support life.
It is the main cause of biodiversity loss on Earth.
MAIN CAUSES OF HABITAT DESTRUCTION
Deforestation
Urbanization (cities, roads, buildings)
Agriculture & farming expansion
Mining
Pollution
Climate change
Overfishing
Industrial development
TYPES OF HABITATS & HOW THEY ARE DESTROYED
RAINFORESTS
🔹 What Are Rainforests?
Rainforests are dense forests with:
High rainfall
Warm climate
Extremely high biodiversity
🌎 Found near the equator (Amazon, Congo Basin, Southeast Asia)
🔹 Importance of Rainforests
Home to over 50% of Earth’s species
Produce oxygen
Absorb carbon dioxide (fight climate change)
Regulate rainfall and climate
Source of medicines and food
🔹 Destruction of Rainforests
Logging for timber
Clearing land for farming and cattle
Mining and road construction
Forest fires
🔹 Effects
Species extinction
Climate imbalance
Soil erosion
Loss of indigenous cultures
WETLANDS
🔹 What Are Wetlands?
Wetlands are areas where land is covered with water permanently or seasonally.
Examples:
Marshes
Swamps
Bogs
Mangroves
🔹 Importance of Wetlands
Natural water filters
Prevent floods
Recharge groundwater
Breeding grounds for fish and birds
Protect coastlines from storms
🔹 Destruction of Wetlands
Drained for agriculture
Urban development
Pollution (sewage, chemicals)
Dams and water diversion
🔹 Effects
Increased flooding
Loss of aquatic life
Water pollution
Reduced fish populations
CORAL REEFS
🔹 What Are Coral Reefs?
Coral reefs are underwater ecosystems made by coral animals.
Often called “rainforests of the sea.”
🔹 Importance of Coral Reefs
Support marine biodiversity
Protect coastlines from waves
Support fishing industries
Tourism and livelihoods
🔹 Destruction of Coral Reefs
Rising ocean temperatures (coral bleaching)
Pollution (oil, plastics, chemicals)
Overfishing
Ocean acidification
Physical damage from boats
🔹 Effects
Coral bleaching and death
Collapse of marine food chains
Loss of coastal protection
EFFECTS OF HABITAT DESTRUCTION (OVERALL)
Loss of biodiversity
Extinction of species
Climate change acceleration
Disruption of food chains
Loss of ecosystem services
Human livelihood loss
HOW CAN HABITAT DESTRUCTION BE PREVENTED?
Protect natural reserves
Reforestation
Sustainable farming
Reduce pollution
Responsible fishing
Climate action
Environmental laws and awareness