The process by which natural habitat is damaged or destroyed to such an extent that it no longer is capable of supporting the species and ecological communities that naturally occur there The process by which natural habitat is damaged or destroyed to such an extent that it no longer is capable of supporting the species and ecological communities that naturally occur there So severe that all, or nearly all, species are affected and will take a long time to recover So severe that all, or nearly all, species are affected and will take a long time to recover

Habitat loss is the most serious threat to the majority of endangered biodiversity Habitat loss is the most serious threat to the majority of endangered biodiversity The majority of the earth’s land surface (83%) has been transformed by humans to some degree The majority of the earth’s land surface (83%) has been transformed by humans to some degree About 60% of earth’s ecosystems are considered damaged or unsustainable About 60% of earth’s ecosystems are considered damaged or unsustainable

Historic, current, and projected rates of habitat loss by type Historic, current, and projected rates of habitat loss by type

Habitat loss is the primary cause of extinction and endangerment globally Habitat loss is the primary cause of extinction and endangerment globally

Agriculture and extraction (mining) Agriculture and extraction (mining)

Development and pollution Development and pollution

Another form of habitat loss Another form of habitat loss This is a result of one habitat being converted into another (ex. forest into cropland) This is a result of one habitat being converted into another (ex. forest into cropland) Deforestation Deforestation Desertification Desertification

Over the past 300 yrs about 50% of the world’s forest cover has been removed Over the past 300 yrs about 50% of the world’s forest cover has been removed 25 countries totally deforested 25 countries totally deforested 29 countries >90% deforested 29 countries >90% deforested In the middle-east, Asia and northern Africa, desertification has resulted from a combination of climate change, conversion for agriculture, harvesting wood for fuel In the middle-east, Asia and northern Africa, desertification has resulted from a combination of climate change, conversion for agriculture, harvesting wood for fuel