Natural Habitats

A Habitat is an ecological or environmental area that is inhabited by a particular Species of Animal, Plant or other type of organism. There are many different types of Habitats, including Rain Forest, Wetlands, Deserts etc. Each Habitat is inhabited by certain types of Flora and Fauna which depend on the unique characteristics of these Habitats for their survival. For example a Giant Panda is found only in Bamboo Forests of the Qinling Mountains and in the hilly Sichuan Province. Where as the Tiger is found in Jungles of Asia. A single Habitat supports innumerable Species of Animals and Plants, some of which have not even been discovered till now, especially the Rainforests which are rich in biodiversity.

Types of Habitats

• Deserts.
• Forests.
• Grasslands.
• Islands.
• Mountains.
• Oceans.
• Wetlands.

Habitat Destruction

Nearly half of the planet's Plant and Animal Species live in Rainforests. Less than 2.5 billion acres of Tropical Forest remain from the four billion acres on Earth just a few hundred years ago. That is an extensive loss of not only the Habitat but it's denizens as well. Most of the deforestation has occurred in the last few decades due to rapid industrialisation. If the present rate of destruction continues, today’s forests will be gone by the year 2081. It's not just the Forests, Wetlands are increasingly under threat all over the World. They often disappear in bits and pieces as developers fill in small ponds or parts of swamps and deltas. The cumulative effect, however, can be devastating for wildlife and people. Wetlands not only support wildlife but also filter the drinking supply humans rely on. Mountains are being blown up to extract Minerals and other material. Oceans are becoming dumping grounds of toxic waste materials and if not the dumping there is always a likelihood of an Oil Spill caused by ships. Lakes and Rivers face pollution from polythene and overfishing. Islands are shrinking and disappearing due to global warming. Some Habitats cannot be recovered as they lack the factors and original components which were essential for the survival and growth of that environment. The growing needs of human population are itself becoming a death knot for the human population which doesn't realise that the damage caused will be destructive and more importantly irreversible.

Importance of Natural Habitats

• Natural  Habitats support a variety of living organisms, some of which endemic to one particular habitat.

• Habitats are important source of medicines some of which cannot be manufactured without the presence of certain Plants in that particular habitat.

• Habitats like forest are lungs of the Earth as they provide oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide.

• Natural Habitats provide food to not only the denizens of a particular Habitat but they also provide food to Humans in the form of vegetables, fruits, meat etc.

• Various different types of Habitats hold valuable knowledge for scientists regarding various Natural Processes, evolution of certain environments etc.

• There are innumerable Species of Animals and Plants which are yet to be discovered whose importance and evolution still needs to be understood.

• Habitat also showcase the biodiversity of various organisms without which we would be devoid of Natural Beauty.

• Medicine Industry would have not existed if there were no Forests as they are sources of medicinal Plants.

• There are so many aspects of Habitats that need to be understood and that knowledge needs to be applied for the mutual benefit of all organisms.