hábitats

Hábitats are the natural environments in which organisms live, grow, and reproduce. A habitat provides the resources an organism needs, such as food, water, shelter, and the physical conditions that support survival and reproduction. Habitats are shaped by abiotic factors — climate, temperature, soil, water chemistry, light — and by the biotic community, including producers, consumers, and decomposers. The suitability of a habitat depends on how well these factors meet the species’ ecological niche.

Common habitat categories include terrestrial habitats such as forests, grasslands, deserts, and tundra; freshwater habitats such as rivers, lakes, and wetlands; and marine habitats such as oceans, coral reefs, estuaries, and seafloor ecosystems. In addition, human-modified habitats, including urban areas, agricultural lands, gardens, and plantations, can support biodiversity when they retain enough resources or provide refuges.

Habitat quality is influenced by resource availability, protection from predators, microclimate, and disturbance regime. Fragmentation and habitat loss reduce area, increase edge effects, impede movement, and diminish genetic diversity. Connectivity through corridors and stepping stones facilitates migration and gene flow, while invasive species can alter community structure and function.

Habitats are dynamic and respond to natural disturbances such as fires, floods, and storms, as well as long-term changes in climate. Conservation and ecological restoration aim to protect and restore high-quality habitats, maintain connectivity, and manage threats from pollution, extraction, and invasive species. Protecting habitats underpins biodiversity, ecosystem services, and resilience of landscapes to change.