Habitat Distruction

Can you imagine getting kicked out of your comfortable and safe home and having to move to some strange place you don’t know. Unfortunately, animals across the globe are loosing their homes at an alarming rate and are forced to relocate else where. It’s unfair that these creatures, who were here before any of us, are forced out of their habitat because of our lack of consideration and man’s need to always put his needs first. Many of these animals are unable to adapt to the new environment and eventually die off, or are killed during the destruction of their habitat. Unless we change and do something about this, many species will be lost forever and will only live on in the stories we tell. We will only have ourselves to blame.

Habitat destruction is currently ranked as the primary cause of species extinction worldwide. Most of the world’s endangered species, 25% of mammals and 12% of birds, could become extinct within the next 30 years, as warmer climates change the forests, wetlands, grasslands, and other lands the animals depend on. Human development also adds to this problem. We block animals from migrating elsewhere by building roads, highways and buildings in their path. When migratory animals try to cross these roads and highways and through our neighborhoods, they are often killed or hurt, plus it is not very safe for us as well.

Places experiencing extreme habitat destruction are New Zealand, Madagascar, the Philippines and Japan. Countries such as China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan and many areas in western Africa have extremely dense human populations that don’t allow much room for natural habitat, causing species endangerment, such as the Panda Bear. Even marine areas close to highly populated cities are also facing destruction of their coral reefs and other marine habitat. Marine destruction is most pronounced on the east coasts of Africa, northern coasts of South America, the Caribbean Sea and surrounding islands.

Tropical rainforests have experienced massive destruction of habitat. Around 16 million square kilometers of tropical rainforest habitat, ( that used to be worldwide), has been reduced to less than 9 million square kilometers remaining today. The rate of deforestation is 160,000 square kilometers per year, which equals a loss of 1% of the original forest habitat per year. Other ecosystems have suffered as much, or even more than the rainforests. Farming and Logging have destroyed about 95% of the mixed forests; many ancient woodlands have lost more than 98% of their previous area because of human activities.

This is a bleak picture for the animals. Much too soon, all of their homes will be lost and if they have no where to go, they too will be lost. If they die, this will affect us. We need to be responsible and start paying attention to what is going on around us before it is too late. We all need to take part in creating solutions and implementing actions and plans. Please help! Do research, spread the word and donate time or your money. Do what ever you can think of to start reversing this awful situation. Help save the animals by helping to save their homes. They shouldn’t loose because we feel the need to expand and take it from them. Let’s stop and give it back!

Thank You

Sydney