Habitat Conservation

Conversion, destruction and fragmentation of habitat are the single greatest threats to biodiversity. Humans have dramatically transformed landscapes to accommodate our needs for housing, transportation, food, fiber, recreation, and a host of other uses. Even places that provide open space, like parks, refuges or wilderness areas, may have diminished habitat value because of inadequate management, over-use, invasion by harmful exotic species, or contamination from external sources.

In response to these threats, many organizations, agencies, and communities have launched significant efforts to conserve and restore fish, wildlife and plant communities to ensure that future generations will be able to experience nature, and so that native plants and animals will continue to exist. Conservation networks are being established in many places throughout the world. These networks consist of lands managed with conservation as a primary objective. They may include both public and private lands, and areas where human activities continue, but with special consideration for the natural values.

Scientists generally agree that these networks should be large enough to accommodate native species, and that some connectivity between the areas helps offset the adverse effects of habitat fragmentation. There is also a need to consider natural processes such as fire, floods, pollination and predation that are responsible for maintaining dynamic functional ecosystems.

This section of the BiodiversityPartners web site provides detailed information, reflecting the latest thinking about the design and establishment of conservation networks at multiple scales and in different kinds of landscapes.

Conservation Network Design: This section presents information from participants at a 2003 workshop hosted by Defenders of Wildlife. It was created by Environmental Resources Management, with beautiful photographs, drawings and interactive elements. It should help planners, resource managers and private conservationists learn about design principles and practical considerations relevant to the creation of a network of conservation lands. Click here to view.

The section on habitat and sprawl is a narrative piece that highlights many considerations relevant to the conservation of habitat in developing landscapes.

A section on habitat in farmlands highlights issues relevant to agricultural landscapes, and profiles farmers who have incorporated habitat into their operations.

A new section on habitat and forestlands discusses biodiversity and management issues surrounding forests, and profiles examples of landscape-level and site-level projects.

Updated 6-2-06