SUMMARY - Habitat Fragmentation and Ecosystem Collapse
From space, Earth's surface shows the human imprint clearlyâcities, farms, roads, and cleared land fragmenting what were once continuous ecosystems. This fragmentation doesn't just reduce habitat quantity; it fundamentally changes how ecosystems function. Edge effects penetrate forest interiors. Species that need large territories can't find enough connected space. Genetic isolation leads to inbreeding. What looks like remaining habitat may be too fragmented to sustain the species it once supported.