Habitat+Destruction

** __Habitat Destruction__ **
=== **Hi my name is Tiffany and welcome to my mentor Merette and my wiki page. I am studying with my mentor, the destruction of habitats in the Mid North Coast area and h****ope** **you enjoy reading my information. :)** ===

** Habitat Destruction **

 * Habitat destruction is defined as any process that results in a natural habitat being uninhabitable by the present species population. Human activities are the most common causes of habitat destruction (mining, logging, agriculture, urban sprawl). However, habitat destruction can result from natural causes as well.

** Climate Change **

 * Many ecosystems are reliant on a specific temperature range. For example, coral reefs typically require a water temperature between 61 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. If temperatures rise or fall below this level, coral plants will die, followed by the fish and other wildlife that rely on these plants for subsistence.
 * Some may consider global warming a man-made cause of habitat destruction. However, climate change has occurred naturally for thousands of years. For example, various ice ages of the past have resulted in mass extinction of species who were ill-suited for cold weather.

Read more: Natural Causes of Habitat Destruction | eHow.com [|http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5489084_natural-causes-habitat-destruction.html#ixzz1uk8ObIAX]

** Natural Disasters **
> able to present species. For example, in 1998, Hurricane Georges caused massive flooding that resulted in beach erosion and drastic climate change among many ecosystems along the Gulf Coast of Mexico.
 * Natural disasters can also spur habitat destruction. Wildfires resulting from lightning strikes or other natural causes can cause heavy deforestation. Unexpected ice storms in warm climates can similarly wipe out entire habitats. Hurricanes, earthquakes and tornadoes can dramatically change a habitat's structure so that it becomes uninhabit

** Invasive Species **

 * An invasive species is defined as a non-native species that intrudes upon an ecosystem and subsequently causes detriment to natural plant and animal life. In some cases, an invasive species can cause habitat destruction. For example, the introduction of the brown tree snake to Guam has resulted in the local extinction of the majority of bird, lizard and bat species in the region.

Read more: [|http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5489084_natural-causes-habitat-destruction.html#ixzz1uk8WHliX]

** Erosion **

 * Erosion is a natural process that occurs as a result of ocean-beach interaction. It is made worse by such things as global warming, hurricanes and human activity. The building of dams and seawalls has resulted in more erosion, flooding and the killing of vital vegetation. Global warming has caused sea levels to rise, and this in turn causes flooding and the loss of land. Weather, such as hurricanes, is episodic and sporadic and can cause long-term or short-term damage, such as the destruction of coastal homes, parks and beaches.

Read more: [|http://www.ehow.com/info_8007979_coastal-erosion-issues.html#ixzz1vYjFLgAS]

** Rates of Erosion **

 * Coastal erosion is not always consistent. Much beach erosion is specific to episodic events, including severe storms and hurricanes, which cause large amounts of erosion in small periods of time. Erosion occurs sporadically. During a storm, different areas erode at different rates. Some coastal areas consistently erode at fast rates. Other areas have a much slower average annual rate of erosion.

** Human Influence **

 * The human influence on coastal erosion is vast. Dams store sediments needed to replenish beaches. Man-made structures, such as seawalls built to prevent sand loss, increase erosion in the long term. Sand in front of seawalls erodes, and waves eventually reach the walls, creating turbulence, increasing erosion rates and undercutting the walls. Navigation channels through barrier islands interrupt the natural flow of sediment, leading to erosion in certain areas and the growth of beach in others. The destruction of vegetation along the coast, including mangroves, leads to greater rates of erosion.

Read more: [|http://www.ehow.com/about_6397351_coastal-erosion-coastline_.html#ixzz1vYnThQqi]

** Storm Erosion **

 * Weather events affect coastal erosion. Some erosion, e.g. beach erosion, is episodic, occurring over a number of hours such as during a hurricane. This can lead to extensive damage. Hurricanes such as Andrew, Katrina and Ivan have caused the most erosion. Other erosion is sporadic, occurring at different rates in different places.

** Water Erosion **

 * Sand can also be deposited in coastal areas by the natural flow of rivers and streams. The natural material is then moved along a beach by ocean currents, where it might form sand bars or be deposited offshore. Many factors such as tides, the shape of the shoreline, the contour of the sea bottom and the activities of man affect the movement of sand.

** Destruction of Wildlife Habitats **

 * Coastal erosion can destroy natural habitats in mangroves and coastal parks that are close to the sea, while man-made defenses against erosion can also destroy coral reefs. Important wetland areas flood and the salinity of the inland waterways increases. Plants and vegetation in the flooded area are destroyed, as they can not survive in the new environment.

** Our Committment to Service the Residents of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council **

 * One of the functions of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is regulating development within the Council area, in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, and associated policies and directions from the State Government.
 * This involves seeking to find the right balance between protection of the environment, supporting a healthy local economy, minimising conflicts between structures and land uses on adjoining properties, and affordable and effective access to community services and infrastructure.

__**Interview Questions**__
__ 1. **What do you do?** __ Coordinate all natural resource management activities for the Council.

__ 2. **What do you think the problem is with habitat destruction?** __ Loss of biodiversity and the ongoing fragmentation of bushland. It leads to the loss if ecosystem services that all humans rely on, and ultimately leads to the extinction of native species.

__ 3. **Is it a big problem in the Mid North Coast?** __ Yes due to the rapid development pressure.

__ 4. **What causes habitat destruction in the Mid North Coast?** __ Main causes are forestry operations, infrastructure ( road building, power lines etc) and urban development

__ 5. **What was the worst event that caused habitat destruction in the Mid North Coast?** __ Historically it would be the arrival of the first fleet and massive land clearing with the expansion of the colony. Recently would be the Oxley Highway upgrade.

__ 6. **Have you come across any cases where coastal erosion has caused habitat destruction and/or destruction of human living environments?** __ Yes the Lake Cathie Coastal erosion is eroding back Littoral Rainforest which there is only 5% left in Australia.

__ 7. **Why do you think coastal erosions occur?** __ Long term, Climate Change is the main cause.

__ 8. **How do you think we can minimise the effects of coastal erosion?** __ Reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.

__ 9. **How do you think weather, climate change and natural disasters impact habitats?** __ Climate change will see the loss of some habitats for animals and will force other animals and plants to move to adapt. Where they can’t move they will ultimately become locally extinct.

__ 10. **What’s being done right now to fix habitat destruction and what would you like to see being done in the future?** __ There is legislation at all three levels of government (local,state and federal) however this really just slows the rate of destruction down. Future this legislation need to be tougher and start to plan for the recreation of habitat and linking them with habitat corridors.

__ **Interviewer** __ - Thor Aaso __ **Date** __ - 1/6/12 __ **Time** __ - 9:34 pm __ **Email** __ - Thor.Aaso@pmhc.nsw.gov.au

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