what is an example of a naturally fragmented habitat, and a habitat that has been fragmented by human land use?
An example of a naturally fragmented habitat is a mountain range. Mountain ranges consist of individual peaks and valleys, which create natural fragments of habitat. Species living in different valleys may have limited or no movement between them, resulting in isolated populations.
On the other hand, a habitat fragmented by human land use can be seen in the case of urbanization. As humans expand cities and build infrastructures, natural habitats such as forests or grasslands get divided into smaller patches. Fragmentation can occur due to roads, buildings, agricultural fields, or other types of land development activities. This leads to habitats becoming isolated from each other, causing disruption to wildlife movement and gene flow between populations.
To find additional examples, you can consider researching specific ecosystems or regions where natural or human-induced fragmentation has been documented. Scientific studies, environmental reports, or reputable online sources can provide detailed information about different fragmented habitats around the world.