Julian Wilhelm

Mrs. Crist
English 4
27 October 2016
Destruction Of Natural Habitats

"Habitat Loss." Habitat Loss. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2016.

The human population is continuing to grow and its causing habitat loss by
urbanization. In North Carolina alone 5.9 percent of total forest area was lost from
urbanization between the years 1982 to 1997. There is an estimated 5.5 million more
forest acres predicted to be urbanized by the year 2040. When land is converted into an
urban residence it becomes unsuitable to sustain wildlife. Necessary food, water, and
shelter is depleted causing species of animals to either move, or adapt to the changes
in the environment. Woodpeckers, warblers, and scarlet tanagers often leave the new
habitat. While white-tailed deer, raccoons, and squirrels are able to adapt. Birds and
butterfly populations depend on native plants to sustain their populations.
By Protesting Actions or Boycotting Products We Can Send a Clear Message That
Cannot Be Ignored. This Awareness Can Put Pressure on Governing Bodies Which Can
Result in Increased Penalties and Stronger Enforcement. "Habitat Destruction." William Paterson University. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2016.
Destruction of natural habitats is causing a serious problem for current and future
generations. Deforestation is pushing animals out of their homes and into extinction.
Ocean pollution has caused devastation in marine life. This destruction must stop to
preserve the life and habitats of all living things- including ourselves.
Deforestation is demolishing homes at an exponential rate along with the wildlife
in it. This dramatic loss of habitat is affecting millions of species. Many cannot survive
without their homes which pushes them closer to extinction. The south china tiger and
African wild dog have officially been added to the ever growing extinction list due to
habitat destruction. In the United States, Quail has been added to the endangered list.
Nearly half the worlds population of quail has disappeared due to the limited habitat
caused by destruction.
Marine life has also been affected severely by human pollution. Trash, toxic
waste, chemicals, and sewage have all destroyed the homes of many animals in the
ocean. Over two-thirds of the marine animal population has been added to the

endangered list. Trash is the main cause of choking, animals think plastic bags are food.
Chemicals pollute the water and make it difficult for marine life to breathe. When one
animal is exposed to toxic waste it passes down the food chain affecting the entire
population of marine life. Waste is being put into their habitat by ships, untreated
sewage, and military ammunitions.
The government has set laws and regulations to help preserve habitats and
prevent further pollution, but they fail to enforce these rules. Industries do not follow
most of the regulations and continue dumping illegally. For example, farming practices
have included polluting waterways with fecal matter for several decades.