Habitat Loss
Many biologists consider habitat loss, habitat degradation, and habitat fragmentation the primary threats to species survival. Habitat is the place or kind of place where an organism or a community of organisms lives andthrives. Habitat loss occurs when habitat is converted to other uses, such as when a wetland is filled or a prairie is covered by housing developments. Habitat degradation occurs when the habitat is so diminished in quality that species are no longer able to survive. Urban development can degrade a habitat because plants and soil are replaced with asphalt and concrete. Water runs off instead of soaking in. Average temperature goes up because the asphalt and concrete absorbs more solar energy. Fragmentation occurs when terrestrial habitats are separated into small, isolated fragments. Even when the total acreage of habitat appears to be sufficient, the fragmentation prevents species from surviving.
Some species have a very limited habitat. For example, as its name implies, the habitat of the creosote bush grasshopper, Bootettix argentatus, is the creosote bush, Larrea tridentata. It is found nowhere else. Most animals avoid the creosote bush and find the leaves distasteful or even toxic, whereas this small grasshopper thrives on the leaves. If the creosote bush were to become extinct, so would the little grasshopper.
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