The main cause of habitat destruction is the rise of human population. Over long periods of time habitats naturally change. This extended amount of time allows for species to adapt to the changes. The current habitat loss, caused by human does not give species a chance to adjust, thus causing endangerment and extinction.

The main cause of habitat destruction is the rise of human population. Over long periods of time habitats naturally change. This extended amount of time allows for species to adapt to the changes. The current habitat loss, caused by human does not give species a chance to adjust, thus causing endangerment and extinction.

Although there are more species on Earth right now then at any other time in history, the extinction rate is also considerably higher. It is estimated that an average of 50 species become extinct everyday. Habitat destruction is also the main cause in the decline of biological diversity. It accounts for more damage than exploitation, introduction of new species, predation, competition, and over hunting.

There are three main forms of habitat destruction. First there is the complete loss of an area by wild species. Second is degradation which ruins part of a habitat used for the survival of species in that habitat. Degradation makes it harder for species to find food, water, and shelter. Finally, fragmentation, where humans clear surrounding land and species are squeezed onto a small area of undisturbed land. This interrupts natural cycles; species become over crowded and often time the edges of the area become uninhabitable.

--Excerpt from an article written by Jamie Quist, Lindsay Quitmeier, and Christina Spittler