A habitat refers to the natural surroundings in which a living being lives and in which it can satisfy its rudimentary needs. These necessities are food, water, shelter, space, as well as favorable reproduction conditions. There are diverse habitat on Earth including thick woods and grasslands, deserts, mountains, rivers, swamps, and oceans. Each environment has a distinctive set of temperature, humidity, plant life and physical characteristics which favor certain species. Animals do not occur randomly on the earth. They are in the environment where the conditions are suitable to their biological needs.

The evolution of species of wildlife runs over a long period to adjust to a certain environment. The wings of birds are developed to fly and the beaks are designed so as to suit specific diets. Such adaptations enable the animals to live in their environments and co-exist well with other species.

Physical space is not the only benefit of habitats. They provide resources. Forests and plants provide pollution protection and nesting places. Borrows and plant roots are supported by soil. On conditions of the proper mixing of these elements, species may form stable populations.

Most of these animals rely on a particular feature of habitat. There are also birds which nest in specific types of trees only. Other insects are dependent on one type of plant species as their food. There are some species of amphibians that need clean and shallow water to breed. When such specialized habitats are lost the species depending on them tend to decrease at a very high rate.

One of the most prominent reasons of wildlife decline in the world is habitat loss. Forests are cut down to farmlands and cities. Wetlands are drained. Rivers are dammed. Farm land is developed out of grasslands. The alteration of natural landscapes deprives animals of the major resources.

The situation is also aggravated by fragmentation. Extensive continuous habitat is subdivided into smaller units by roads or buildings or farmlands. The presence of small patches of habitat may not allow the movement of animals even within them. This restricts movement of food, mates and seasonal migration routes. The presence of fragments will decrease the genetic diversity and will lead to higher extinction risk.

Habitat degradation is the situation when wildlife can no longer be used in environments that are still physically available. The habitat can be degraded by pollution, invasion of species, and climate change. Contaminated water is detrimental to aquatic life. Native vegetation can be overpowered by invasive vegetation. The increase in temperatures can render the habitations inhospitable to the species that are sensitive to temperature.

The study of habitats creates sympathy towards wildlife. It changes the conception of animals as separate entities to animals as components of complex life support systems.It preserves the natural habitat of hundreds of species.