All habitat-types are affected by human activity to different extents. Around half of the forests that once covered the Earth are now gone. Although forests can recover, and even be harvested sustainably, the rate of loss is 10 times higher than the rate of regrowth. Around 60% of Europe's wetlands are damaged even though they are often essential for providing clean drinking water.

Recent estimates suggest that at least 120 out of 620 living primate species (apes, monkeys, lemurs and others) will go extinct in the wild in the next 10 to 20 years, at current rates of habitat loss. Large animals are often hit hardest by loss of habitat because they need large areas in which to have a healthy breeding population. Examples include tigers, mountain gorillas, pandas, Indian lions, tropical orchids and spotted owls.The only species not truly affected by habitat loss are those which benefit from human activity, such as cockroaches, rats and house-finches.

Become more sensitive to where we go about our business as well as how. Everyone needs space and that includes the other creatures of this planet. Restoring damaged habitats is also an important step. Allow forests to regrow, clean up rivers, lakes and seas, and help to protect what still remains.

| habitat loss | introduced species | pollution | | over harvesting | fragmentation |