How does clearing forests for agriculture affect wildlife habitats?

Clearing forests for agriculture is a primary driver of habitat loss, which is the leading cause of global biodiversity decline. This process impacts wildlife through three main mechanisms:12

• Habitat Destruction: When forests are converted to cropland or grazing land, the removal of vegetation eliminates essential food sources and shelter. Species unable to migrate are often forced into environments where they cannot survive, increasing the risk of extinction.32
• Habitat Fragmentation: This process divides large, contiguous forest blocks into smaller, isolated patches. This separation hinders reproduction by making it difficult for individuals to find mates and increases the risk of predation or mortality as animals attempt to traverse the inhospitable areas between patches.32
• Habitat Degradation: Agricultural activities often introduce pollution, such as fertilizer runoff, which can disrupt local ecosystems. Furthermore, cleared lands create "edges" that facilitate the entry of invasive species, which may outcompete native wildlife for resources.12

Ultimately, these human-driven disturbances reduce the resilience of ecosystems, making it difficult for native species to persist in the landscape.12