Download Habitat Loss Fact Sheet

Habitat Loss Fact Sheet
Each species evolves to thrive in its own particular ecological niche - or habitat - and has adapted to live
within a particular temperature range and with particular plants and animals. For 85% of all species,
habitat loss is the main threat (source: IUCN)
The Problem
With a world population of more than 7 billion, the pressure on land for
agriculture, housing, roads, industry, mines and refineries is increasing rapidly.
Habitat loss is a global problem: pollution, climate change and the continuing
spread of the human population with its insatiable demand for land and
resources is having a devastating effect on all biomes across the planet: seas,
rivers, lakes, coastlines, mountains, savannahs, rainforests, deserts.
Habitat Loss
FACTS
50%
The challenge that we humans face is to live in a way which is sustainable
and reduces the impact to our planet and the rich variety of life it supports.
Around
of the world’s original
forests have already gone and are being
destroyed at a rate 10 times faster than
they can re-grow.
Effects of Habitat Loss
17 million hectares of forest
Deforestation - forests cover 30% of the planet’s land area but are home to
around 80% of its terrestrial species. Thousands of species are threatened with
extinction, many of them before they have even been discovered or named.
Deforestation contributes to pollution and climate change.
Degradation of seas and coastlines - oceans cover 71% of our planet’s
surface and make up 95% of all the habitat available to life.
Pollution, climate change and human impact are changing the shape and function
of coastal land and causing sea temperatures and levels to rise and the water to
become more acid. The world’s coral reefs and the species which they support
are endangered.
September 2013
Desertification - climate change, deforestation and overgrazing are causing
habitats to change and scientists expect that large areas of land will become
deserts. Estimates suggest that 35% of the earth’s land surface is at risk, and
the livelihoods of 850 million people are directly affected .The Sahara desert is
thought to be advancing southwards by about 5-10 kilometres per year.
For more information see www.davidshepherd.org
a year are disappearing, mostly for
agriculture and grazing to provide food
for a rapidly growing population as well
as for building and fuel.
37%
In 1994, it was estimated that
of the global population lived within 60
km of the coast. Many coastal areas will
disappear if sea levels rise as predicted.
Arctic sea ice could disappear within
70 years, and polar bears may
become extinct
70%
Our oceans provide
of our
oxygen, distribute warmth around the
planet and regulate our weather.