Human causes of habitat destruction

A habitat is the place where an organism lives. Human activities can destroy a habitat by removing it, or degrade it by making it less suitable for the organisms that live there.

Land use and habitat loss

When land is cleared for housing, the existing habitat is replaced by buildings and other developed areas. Organisms may lose places where they find food and shelter.

Land is also cleared to grow crops or raise livestock. The resulting fields or grazing land replace the original habitat and may not provide the conditions or resources needed by the organisms that lived there before.

Resource extraction and pollution

Extracting natural resources can damage habitats. For example, mining can remove vegetation and soil, altering the land where organisms live.

Pollution can degrade freshwater habitats, such as rivers and lakes, and marine habitats, such as seas and oceans. Harmful substances entering the water can make it unsuitable for the organisms living there, even when the habitat has not been physically removed.