Facts About Habitat Loss Habitat loss reduces breeding success of Arctic animals. Many Arctic animals need large, unfragmented territories in which to find enough food. The introduction of foreign species to Arctic ecosystems reduces biodiversity. The Arctic has some the largest remaining tracts of old growth forest. Much land used for grazing is no longer suitable for native wildlife species. Permafrost disturbance can lead to reduced water quality. Did you know? It was not until the 20th century that the wood-processing industries started to devastate large tracts of forest. Once boreal forests are cut, they can regenerate only slowly because of the harsh climate. The cumulative impacts of road building can be detected up to 6 miles away in changes to permafrost and water quality. Human settlements can impact the vegetation of local ecosystems up to 20 miles away.

Habitat fragmentation and loss in the Arctic is the result of several often interrelated factors. Commercial logging, overgrazing, foreign species introduction, building construction, natural resource extraction, pollution damage, and melting sea ice all contribute to reductions in habitat for a variety of Arctic species, including humans. These factors combined with long term changes in features such as hydrology, contamination levels, and the condition of the permafrost and tundra, may have wide impacts on regional ecosystem health.

Commercial forestry is carried out in the boreal forests of northern Europe, northwest Russia, Siberia, northern Canada and Alaska. Economic pressures to harvest virgin timber for pulp, paper and wood products are increasing. The use of "improved" harvesting techniques -- often with subsequent planting of foreign species -- has led to the fragmentation of critical habitats. Clear cutting in the vulnerable transition or taiga zone between the northern boreal forests and the treeless tundra has had a severe effect on the biodiversity of forest ecosystems.

Reindeer husbandry is an important economic activity that is affecting the vegetation cover in northern Europe and Russia. The "overforaging" and clearing of large areas for use as pasture land has resulted in 'hotspots' of diminished biodiversity. In many cases, native lichen species are rapidly being replaced by colonizing grasses. In addition, overgrazing can affect water quality, especially if the permafrost layer is disturbed.

Increased building construction due to the expansion of extractive industries, urban development, and tourism are taking a toll on Arctic plants and animals. Construction work invariably results in damage to fragile vegetation and its underlying permafrost soils. Power lines, pipelines, and road building all have ecological impacts well beyond the actual zone of disturbance. Effects include: the redistribution of animals away from development, diminished foraging success, long term erosion, overgrazing and reduced breeding success.

The cumulative ecological impacts now taking place in the Arctic are cause for much concern. Habitat loss has far-reaching ramifications beyond what is immediately visible. Continued habitat fragmentation in the Arctic could have devastating effects on Arctic plants and animals including many migratory populations. The prognosis for the future is mixed.