Forest Legacy Project

Effects of Forest Fragmentation

Dividing our remaining large and contiguous forests into smaller pieces is an issue of increasing importance as communities continue to put more pressure on our existing land base. In the context of wildlife habitat, the U.S. Forest Service defines forest fragmentation as "the splitting or isolating of patches of similar habitat..."

The effects of forest fragmentation are far reaching.

• Fragmentation disrupts animal travel corridors and creates barriers that isolate populations from potential breeding opportunities.
• Following fragmentation, habitat for forest species that favor forest interiors (such as certain songbirds like orioles, tanagers, and wood thrushes) is lost and there is greater vulnerability to predators and nest robbers.
• Species that cannot easily disperse, including reptiles and amphibians, are more likely to be harmed by forest fragmentation.
• Smaller remaining forests are more susceptible to invasive species, often resulting in a loss of species diversity.
• The loss of forested lands almost certainly means the loss of recreational lands.
• With smaller forests, there is an increase in the frequency of conflicts between people and wildlife.
• Scenic views are lost, making the places we choose to live and visit less beautiful.
• By losing forests, we are losing the ability to clean the air and buffer our environment from pollution.