The most severe threat to biodiversity worldwide is generally accepted to be the loss of habitat. Birth and death are a part of life. Up to the point of their habitat’s carrying capacity (with some exceptions), species can regain equilibrium after disasters or other imbalances. Although many factors determine how many individuals a given area can support, the loss of habitat through alteration by humans reduces the carrying capacity of an ecosystem across the board. It is true that some animals may adapt to disturbed habitats—most of us have seen pigeons thriving in cities or toads waiting underneath lamps for falling insects. Nonetheless, the fact that a few species manage to survive our interference is no reason for complacency.
This lesson is part of Certified Herpetological Guide. Enrollment is self-paced, with no deadline to finish (about 50 hours).
