Shrinking habitats are a major threat to biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Habitat loss and

fragmentation can reduce the population size and genetic diversity of species, increase their
vulnerability to invasive species and diseases, disrupt their ecological interactions and functions, and
ultimately lead to local or global extinctions.

Some of the main causes of habitat shrinkage are human activities such as deforestation,
urbanization, agriculture, mining, and infrastructure development. These activities can directly
destroy or degrade natural habitats, or indirectly affect them by altering the climate, water cycle, soil
quality, and fire regimes.

To prevent or mitigate the negative impacts of habitat shrinkage, conservation efforts should focus
on protecting and restoring large, intact, and connected habitats that can support diverse and
resilient species and ecosystems. Additionally, sustainable land use practices and policies should be
implemented to reduce the human footprint on natural habitats and promote coexistence between
humans and wildlife.