How Habitat Loss Animals and Their

Habitat

loss is a detrimental issue to the harmony of Earth’s biomes, creatures, and overall biodiversity. Many believe that habitat loss only affects animals, but due to the entanglement of the food web, habitat loss affects all living organisms on Earth. Specifically, in South Korea, this environmental catastrophe can occur in many different forms, such as destruction, fragmentation, and degradation of habitats, which is the reason why it is so difficult to solve. Habitat loss negatively impacts the environment and the lives of animals and can gradually lead to problems for humans as well. If left unchecked, habitat loss is likely to become a major issue for forests in Korea.

There are three main types of habitat loss that have had a major impact on Korea’s once-abundant biodiversity. The first is habitat destruction–a type of habitat loss caused entirely by humans. This often includes the bulldozing of trees, filling of wetlands, and mowing of fields. The destruction of forest habitats often results in animals losing their homes or the resources they need to survive. The second type of habitat loss is habitat fragmentation– loss caused by environmental processes. Habitat fragmentation occurs when parts of a habitat are destroyed, leaving behind a number of disconnected, smaller habitats, such as during volcanic eruptions or other natural disasters. These fragmented habitats often have insufficient resources to sustain animals and prevent certain species from migrating. According to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), migratory animals act as pollinators and seed dispersers which allows plants to flourish. Without them, the ecosystem’s structure and function can collapse. The last major type of habitat loss is habitat degradation, defined as the disruption of environmental processes, including the disruption to food webs and other aspects of animal life. Habitat degradation is caused by a variety of factors, such as pollution, invasive species, and wildfires. All things considered, habitat destruction, fragmentation, and degradation all severely impact and disrupt the lives of animals and the environments that they live in.

This all begs the question, how exactly are animals and their environments affected by habitat loss? Habitat loss can lead to population declines for species that inhabit a destroyed habitat, ultimately disrupting the complex food web that all animals are linked to. Even if they manage to survive, habitat loss can still cause severe physical and behavioral changes in these animals. Due to the abrupt changes in the ecosystem, their internal processes are likely to be disturbed, making it difficult for animals to adapt to their new homes. This, in turn, can lead to the death or injury of the impacted animals. Furthermore, habitat loss leaves a lasting impact not only on the animals but also on their environment. One example of this is the coral reefs, often referred to as the “rainforests of the ocean”.

According to Fauna & Flora International, 75% of reefs are currently threatened by unsustainable fishing practices, pollution, anchor damage, and climate. Considering