ROUND 2 OF RESEARCH
This is my round two of research and in this stage I am focusing on how habitat separation influence animals access to seasonal resources ,over years human activities like building roads, expanding farms and urban development have broken large continuous habitats into smaller isolated patches .These changes make it harder for animals to move freely , find food and water . My research question for this round is how does separation affects animals access to seasonal resources?
1.Reduces resource availability in each patch
When a large natural habitat is divided into many smaller pieces each small area becomes limited in what it can provide in large continuous habitat animals can move around and find different type of resources such as food , water , shade and shelter. In a small area not all these resources may be present for example one patch may have grass but not water while another may have water but very little food
2.Timing problems
Many animals depend on correct timing to survive . They usually move or change their behavior based on seasonal changes such as rainfall , temperature or plant growth for example animals may go to a certain area when plants are fresh and nutrients or when water is available . This timing helps them to get best resources
3.Higher risk during movement
When animals try to move from one habitat patch or another in search of seasonal resources they often have to pass through areas that are not safe .These areas may include roads, farms, towns or open with no shelter .In natural habitats animals usually have, trees , bushes or tall grass to hide during time for danger . But in open or human made areas they are more exposed because of this animals face many risks . They may be hit by cars while crossing roads and also they may be attacked or killed by humans especially when they enter on farms and destroy crops
4.Loss of connection between habitats
In a healthy environment ,different parts are connected. This connection allows animals to move freely across the landscape as seasons change . for example animals can travel to wetter areas with fresh vegetation during rainy season . This connection are very important to survival . When habitats are separated these connection are broken , roads , fences and building separate the habitat into isolated patches. Animals in one patch may not be able to reach another patch.
5.Increased competition
In smaller habitat , patches the amount or food , water and space is much lower than in large habitats . When many animals area force in the same small area , they must share the limited resources available .This becomes difficult during harsh seasons , such as the dry season . When the resources are already scarce , animals begin to compete with each other when food is scarce and competition begins . Competition means that the animal struggle to fight to get enough food and water
Sources
1.Fabrig 2003} Effects of habitat separation on biodiversity
2.Taylor P.O.Henein {1993} connectivity is a vital element of landscape structure.
3.Hadfad N.M{2015}Habitat separation and its lasting impacton ecosystems.
4.M .Revila E.(2008) A movement ecology paradigm for unifying organismal movement research
5.Tilmen D, R, Lehman (1994) habitat destruction and the extintion debt
