Habitat fragmentation

Habitat fragmentation refers to habitat being altered and resulting in a spatial separation of habitat units from a previous state of greater continuity. This phenomenon occurs naturally on a geologic time-scale or in unusual and catastrophic events. However, since the Holocene era, humans have produced dramatic and swift transformation of landscapes throughout the world, resulting in a level of habitat fragmentation that has induced worldwide reduction in biodiversity and interuption of sustainable yields of natural resources. Activities which cause this habitat fragmentation are mainly from agricultural land conversion, urbanization, pollution, deforestation and introduction of alien species.Prior to the dominance of mankind, long term changes engendered by geologic processes or climate oscillations contributed to habitat fragmentation. You can read the rest of the article from the Earth Portal site.