More than one-third of U. We're on the ground in seven regions across the country, collaborating with 52 state and territory affiliates to reverse the crisis and ensure wildlife thrive. Uniting all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in a rapidly changing world. Inspire a lifelong connection with wildlife and wild places through our children's publications, products, and activities. In 4 seconds , you will be redirected to nwfactionfund.
The National Wildlife Federation. Habitat Loss. Major Kinds of Habitat Loss Habitat destruction: A bulldozer pushing down trees is the iconic image of habitat destruction. Main Causes of Habitat Loss Agriculture: Much of the habitat loss from agriculture was done long ago when settlers converted forests and prairies to cropland.
Donate Today. Sign a Petition. Half are found nowhere else in the world. Though tourism supports a significant chunk of the area's economy, the development of coastlines meant to lure in vacationers threatens the native flora. Deforestation, fires and grazing have destroyed the vegetation in 95 percent of the Mediterranean Basin.
The area is also home to the Iberian lynx and the Mediteranean monk seal, the most threatened cat and seal species on the planet, respectively, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature IUCN.
Only about monk seals, and as few as Iberian lynxes, survive in the wild. This chain of mountains stretches down the west coast of South America from Bolivia to Chile. It is home to one-sixth of all plant life on Earth on just one percent of the planet's landmass.
More than amphibian species call the tropical Andes home; in , of those were listed as threatened by the IUCN. The critically endangered yellow-tailed woolly monkey, once thought extinct, roams in the moist cloud forests of the Andes, as does the only bear in South America, the spectacled bear.
The Andes are rich in biodiversity, but they're also rich in resources. Oil and gas have been discovered in the region, and companies are building roads and pipelines through sensitive areas, according to Conservation International.
Hydroelectric dams threaten river ecosystems. And deforestation caused by agriculture, particularly coffee plantations, leaves native birds without a habitat, though conservation groups are working with local farmers to promote shade-grown coffee and end clear-cutting. Antarctica is known for its high, frigid desert, where winter temperatures regularly dip as low as minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit minus 70 degrees Celsius.
But the seemingly barren continent's coastline is actually rich with marine life, including penguins, seabirds, seals and whales. Even the darkest depths of the Weddell Sea off western Antarctica are a treasure trove of life: A survey of the Weddell Sea, published in the journal Nature in , found more than new species, including sea spiders, carnivorous sponges and octopi.
The twin threats of global warming and overfishing threaten Antarctica's biodiversity. A report commissioned by WWF warned that if global temperatures rise 3. Our work is only possible with your support. Donate now. Toggle navigation. Language English. Losing their homes because of the growing needs of humans.
Habitat loss is probably the greatest threat to the variety of life on this planet today. Increasing food production is a major agent for the conversion of natural habitat into agricultural land. Why is it happening? Forest loss and degradation is mostly caused by the expansion of agricultural land, intensive harvesting of timber, wood for fuel and other forest products, as well as overgrazing. Click through the photographs, pausing on each for several seconds.
Ask: What do all these animals have in common? Answer: They are all in danger of becoming extinct or they are already extinct. Invite a few students to share their ideas, which will likely vary widely. Explain that all of these animals have very few of their species alive in the wild. They are considered threatened—some more seriously than others. Tell students that they may read or hear that threatened species are considered Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered.
The terms refer to different levels of their populations in the wild, but all are in danger of extinction. Ask: What are the main parts of a habitat? What do all animals need to live and thrive? Answer: Animals need shelter, water, food, and space in their habitats. NOTE: You may wish to discuss the word thrive. Divide students into small groups. Give each group a printed copy of one of the animal photographs. Encourage students to research the animals using books and the Internet.
After they have found out where their animals live or lived, give them time to create habitat drawings. All the parts of an ecosystem depend on each other, either directly or indirectly. In order to survive, animals that depend on those plants for food and shelter will have to adapt to the changes or move to another ecosystem. For animals to thrive, their ecosystem must be balanced. Ask students to use their habitat drawings to identify different types of ecosystems. Ask: What are some ways you think ecosystems could become unbalanced?
Answer: The balance can be affected by changes in weather or temperature, introduction of different non-native or invasive plants and animals, pollution, human land use, or hunting. If students need help with ideas for this question, ask leading questions to activate background knowledge:.
Students will use their research sources to look for reasons why their animals are in danger. Ask each group to share their animal, explain their drawings, and talk about some of the reasons their animal is threatened. Encourage students to ask each other questions. Ask presenters about the relationship between the animal and its ecosystem.
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