Everything about Habitats totally explained
A
habitat (which is
Latin for "it inhabits") is an ecological or environmental area that's inhabited by a particular
species. It is the natural environment in which an organism lives, or the physical environment that surrounds (influences and is utilized by) a species
population.
The term "species population" is preferred to "organism" because, while it's possible to describe the habitat of a single black bear, we may not find any particular or individual bear but the grouping of bears that comprise a breeding population and occupy a certain
biogeographical area. Further, this habitat could be somewhat different from the habitat of another group or population of black bears living elsewhere. Thus it's neither the species nor the individual for which the term habitat is typically used.
A
microhabitat is a physical location that's home to very small creatures, such as woodlice.
Microenvironment is the immediate surroundings and other physical factors of an individual plant or animal within its habitat.
Ecological use
The term "habitat" can be used more broadly in
ecology. It was originally defined as the physical conditions that surround a species, or species population, or assemblage of species, or
community (Clements and Shelford, 1939). Thus, it isn't just a species population that has a habitat, but an assemblage of many species living together in the same place that essentially share a habitat. In ecology, the habitat shared by many species is called a
biotope. A
biome is the set of flora and fauna which live in a habitat and occupy a certain geography.
Habitats can provide greater protection from big animals, for example, a thick undergrowth where an animal such as the
Kudu may hide or go unnoticed.
Threats
Habitat destruction is a major factor in causing a species population to decrease, eventually leading to its being endangered, or even to its
extinction. Large scale land clearing usually results in the removal of native vegetation and habitat destruction.
Bushfires and poor fire management,
pest and weed invasion, cyclone and storm damage can also destroy habitat.
One of the roles of
national parks,
nature reserves and other
protected areas is to provide adequate refuge to animals by preserving habitat.
Human habitat
Human habitat is the environment in which human beings live, work, play and move about. It isn't just a dwelling place – a house - but the sum of all factors that constitute the total environment.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Habitats'.
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