Destruction of Habitat Destruction of habitat is the number one issue associated with biodiversity and endangered species. The destruction of habitat should be one of our primary concerns as stewards of God’s creation.  With less area to survive in, species are having a more difficult time finding suitable habitat away from predators and with a food supply sufficient enough to sustain life. Our role as stewards should be to provide at least a minimum viable area for a species to exist without threat of extinction. Habitat Destruction is the most devastating problem associated with biodiversity and endangered species.  Habitat destruction is the process of land use change in which one habitat is replaced with another habitat.  Urban sprawl, mining, fish trawling and agriculture are four major factors in habitat destruction. Habitat Fragmentation is the separation of a landscape into various land uses, resulting in many small unconnected patches left for wildlife. Habitat fragmentation is frequently caused by humans when native vegetation is cleared for human activities such as agriculture, rural development or urbanization. Habitat fragmentation is often a cause of species becoming threatened, endangered and extinct. Habitat Alteration is changes made to the environment that change the way in which the area functions. Livestock, such as cattle can effectively trample aquatic vegetation and cause accelerated bank erosion and this can result in unsuitable habitat for amphibians. More Information Fish and Wildlife Service New Zealand Biodiversity Biodiversity Partnership, Habitat Conservation More about Loss of Biodiversity Exotic/Invasive Species Overharvesting Pollution NCC Biodiversity Home NCC Loss in Biodiversity Home