How is forest fragmentation affecting you?

The issue of forest fragmentation may seem as if it has no bearing on the community in which you live, however its effects are seen beyond forest boundaries.

Fragmentation of the forest can lead to many different impacts on the ecosystem.  First, it produces a decrease in the forest interior thus limiting the habitat for many species, including songbirds.  The decrease in interior habitat leaves these animals more susceptible to predators or nest robbers
(http://birds.cornell.edu/bfl/gen_instructions/fragmentation.html).  In addition to a loss of wildlife habitat, there is a loss of plant habitat.  Much like animals, plants have a unique habitat which is often threatened by fragmentation.   When certain sections of the forest are cut and not re-planted, the species that make up that forest die alongside.  Fragmentation also leaves the forest interior more susceptible to exotic and threatening species which often destroy massive amounts of habitat when introduced into a new system;   resulting in a loss of natural species biodiversity.      

The land that makes up our city or town provides not only natural benefits for the ecosystem but also aesthetic and recreational benefits for its citizens.  As fragmentation begins to occur, those lands which were once familiar as picturesque scenes now have been cleared for houses or shopping malls or convenient stores to accompany the growth from the surrounding city or town.  These new developments  limit the effectiveness of a forest's ability to provide clean air.  As the city grows, the forests disappear, and pollution is increased due to a lack of buffering.  Recreational lands become smaller as more land is sold to make way for housing developments.  The list of negative impacts go on and on. 

Forest fragmentation affects the common person in ways which might go unnoticed in day to day life but have a severe impact over a lifetime.  Fragmentation is a result of a society which has no consideration for the next generation, but is centered on bigger and better development for the present.  Land is a precious resource, one which cannot be re-created.  With an expanding population, the demand on this land will continue to increase, however, it is up to us now to recognize its importance and contribution to our standard of living and preserve it as such.  

• What is fragmentation?
• Prevention
• Experts
• Bibliography
• Links
• Terminology
• White paper