Habitat Fragmentation, Destruction and Rewilding

• Habitat Fragmentation results in the reduction of a large habitat area into smaller, scattered remnants and can have implications for biodiversity including ecosystem diversity, species diversity and genetic diversity. Loss of keystone species in particular can have a disproportionate impact on an ecosystem. Fragmentation impacts can include reduction in the average size of each patch of habitat, and isolation of fragments.
• Habitat destruction leaves natural habitat unable to support species and communities within it. This reduces biodiversity, sometimes to the point of extinction.
• Rewilding involves activities that initiate or accelerate the recovery of habitats or ecosystems with respect to their health, integrity, and sustainability. These activities can include erosion control, reforestation, use of local native species, removal of non-native species, removal of invasive plants, reintroduction of native species and keystone species, and creation of wildlife or habitat corridors to link habitat fragments.