Habitat Loss

When a natural home for animals and plants is destroyed or changed so they can no longer live there.

What is it?

Habitat loss happens when forests are cut down, wetlands are drained, or land is turned into farms or cities. The Gray Tree Monitor is threatened by habitat loss because its forest home in the Philippines is being cut down. Many other animals, like the Cabot's Tragopan, the Chacoan peccary, and the Rhinoceros Hornbill, also suffer from habitat loss. The Reeves's Pheasant is also threatened by habitat loss, as its forest home in central China is being destroyed. The Magnificent Ground Pigeon is not currently endangered, but its rainforest habitat in Papua New Guinea is being cut down for farms and roads, which could threaten it in the future. The Edwards's pheasant is threatened by habitat loss due to deforestation and the use of chemical defoliants during the Vietnam War, which destroyed large areas of its forest habitat. The Guam Kingfisher became extinct in the wild because invasive species destroyed its habitat on the island of Guam. The Mayan Cichlid is also affected by habitat loss. The yellow-footed tortoise is threatened by habitat loss in the South American rainforest.

Why it matters

Habitat loss is one of the biggest threats to wildlife. When animals lose their homes, they may not survive. Protecting habitats is key to conservation.

Where you've seen it

This list grows as you capture more exhibits about habitat loss.

栖息地丧失

当动植物的自然家园被破坏或改变，以至于它们无法再在那里生活时。

这是什么？

栖息地丧失发生在森林被砍伐、湿地被排干或土地被变成农场或城市时。灰树巨蜥因菲律宾的森林家园被砍伐而受到栖息地丧失的威胁。许多其他动物，如卡伯特角雉、查科野猪和犀鸟，也遭受栖息地丧失。里氏雉鸡也因中国中部的森林家园被破坏而受到栖息地丧失的威胁。壮丽地鸽目前尚未濒危，但其在巴布亚新几内亚的雨林栖息地正被砍伐用于农场和道路，未来可能受到威胁。爱德华氏雉鸡因森林砍伐和越战期间使用的化学脱叶剂破坏了其大片森林栖息地而受到栖息地丧失的威胁。关岛翠鸟因入侵物种破坏了关岛上的栖息地而在野外灭绝。玛雅丽体鱼也受到栖息地丧失的影响。黄足陆龟因南美洲雨林的栖息地丧失而受到威胁。