What is habitat loss?

Habitat loss refers to the destruction or degradation of the natural environments where organisms reside. This can happen due to various human activities such as deforestation, urban development, agriculture, and pollution, which alter or remove the landscapes that wildlife depends on for survival. When habitats are lost, the organisms that inhabit them may struggle to find food, shelter, and mates, leading to declines in species populations and biodiversity.

The other choices describe different concepts: creating new environments does not account for the loss of existing habitats; relocating species refers to moving them to different areas rather than addressing habitat loss; and expanding urban areas into natural settings focuses on human activity impacting habitats but lacks the scope of degradation or destruction implied in habitat loss. Understanding habitat loss is crucial for recognizing its effect on biodiversity and ecological balance.