Question

instructions: identify which type of habitat loss best describes each situation by writing f (fragmentation), d (degradation), or x (destruction) in the blank. then, provide a brief explanation for your answer. 4. a rainforest is cleared to build a shopping mall. why? the reason we consider this destruction is because it is the complete removal of the environment before. why? 5. a highway is built through a forest, separating wildlife populations. why? a lake becomes polluted from factory waste, reducing fish populations. why? 6. a large wetland is drained to create farmland. why? 7. coral reefs suffer from bleaching due to rising ocean temperatures. why? 8. a housing development cuts through a prairie, isolating plant and animal species. why? 9. an oil spill contaminates an entire coastal ecosystem, killing marine life. why? 10. a logging company selectively removes trees from a forest, making it harder for certain species to survive. why?

Explanation:

1. The rainforest is cleared for a shopping - mall, which is destruction (X) as the entire habitat is removed. Explanation: The complete removal of the rainforest habitat for human development.
2. A highway is built through a forest, separating wildlife populations, which is fragmentation (F). Explanation: The habitat is divided into smaller, isolated parts.
3. A lake becomes polluted from factory waste, reducing fish populations, which is degradation (D). Explanation: The quality of the lake habitat is reduced by pollution.
4. A large wetland is drained to create farmland, which is destruction (X). Explanation: The wetland habitat is completely removed.
5. Coral reefs suffer from bleaching due to rising ocean temperatures, which is degradation (D). Explanation: The reef habitat is damaged by environmental change.
6. A housing development cuts through a prairie, isolating plant and animal species, which is fragmentation (F). Explanation: The prairie habitat is broken into smaller pieces.
7. An oil spill contaminates an entire coastal ecosystem, killing marine life, which is degradation (D). Explanation: The coastal habitat is polluted and damaged.
8. A logging company selectively removes trees from a forest, making it harder for certain species to survive, which is degradation (D). Explanation: The forest habitat quality is reduced by selective logging.

Answer:

1. X; The rainforest is completely removed for a shopping - mall.
2. F; The highway divides the forest habitat.
3. D; Factory waste pollutes the lake habitat.
4. X; The wetland is fully drained for farmland.
5. D; Rising temperatures damage the coral reef habitat.
6. F; The housing development fragments the prairie habitat.
7. D; The oil spill degrades the coastal habitat.
8. D; Selective logging degrades the forest habitat.