Development and habitat loss have long been regarded as principle threats to fish, wildlife and biodiversity conservation. For every acre of habitat lost there is a corresponding reduction in the landscape’s capacity to support wildlife. The impact of development is even greater than the direct loss of habitat. Landscape fragmentation that accompanies development also threatens wildlife populations by

1) decreasing the size of undeveloped blocks of natural habitat,
2) reducing connectivity among habitat blocks, and
3) serving as a source of pollutants, invasive species^?, and other stressors that affect ecosystem health.

Large blocks of undeveloped natural land are important because they typically contain a diversity of habitat types that can support a greater diversity of species and larger populations that are more likely than small populations to persist over time. In the face of ongoing and future climate change, the resilience that comes with large blocks of undeveloped habitat will be essential as we strive to maintain healthy and diverse wildlife populations in the coming decades.