Why is forest fragmentation a concern for wildlife?

Forest fragmentation is a significant concern for wildlife because it can harm wildlife populations and ecosystem health. When forests are fragmented, the continuous habitat that many species rely on is broken up into smaller, isolated patches. This can make it difficult for animals to find food, mate, and migrate. As a result, species that require large territories or specific habitat types may decline in number or disappear entirely from fragmented areas.

Additionally, fragmentation can lead to increased edge effects, where the conditions at the boundaries between different habitats differ from those in the interior. These edge effects can create environments that are less suitable for many native species, while favoring more opportunistic ones, thus influencing the overall balance of the ecosystem. The loss of connectivity between habitats also limits gene flow between populations, which can lead to inbreeding and a decrease in genetic diversity, further threatening the survival of various species.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the negative impacts of forest fragmentation. Enhancing biodiversity and creating diverse habitats typically occurs with intact ecosystems, while providing more resources for wildlife assumes a level of habitat complexity that fragmentation disrupts.