Forest fragmentation results in many serious consequences on the ecology, some of which include:
1. Decreased biodiversity:
Forest fragmentation, through causing the formation of small patches, can no more support the same biodiversity that the large forest could do. That is because the small patches have lower carrying capacity and can no more support the same density of organisms the large forest could do; consequently, there will be competition for space and colonization causing the exclusion of certain animals outside the patches. Moreover, large home range animals that require a lot of space can no more be able to live in these patches (Rahman, 2009).
2. Disturb ecosystem balance:
Many ecological processes would be affected by forest fragmentation. One of which is the predator-prey relationship where preys would not have enough space to hide from the predator and would be subject to exclusion from the place. Consequently, the predator will no more find food and follow the same fate. Also, having compact patches that support high density favors the spread of academic diseases among the populations.
3. Destroy habitat:
Some animals are forest interior species that cannot live on forest borders but only deep inside forest, so these animals will have no more places to live when forests turn to be small patches (Rahman, 2009).
4. Decrease gene variation:
Populations that are isolated in small patches have less chances of both migration and genetic variation. These two processes enhance the organismal adaptation to the environment and as they are lost, the organism will fail.
5. Hinders regeneration:
Fragmentation also decreases the ability of trees to regenerate upon cutting or fire and will cause these two factors to have more severe effect.
