The process by which large, continuous habitats are broken up into smaller, isolated patches, typically due to human activities like agriculture, urban development, or road construction.
From Latin 'fragmentum' meaning 'a broken piece,' from 'frangere' (to break). Applied to ecology in the late 20th century as scientists recognized habitat disruption as a major threat to biodiversity.
Fragmentation is like turning a mansion into studio apartments—suddenly animals that need large territories can't survive, and small patches can't support the same diversity as continuous habitat! It's one of the biggest threats to wildlife today.
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