Final answer:
Habitat destruction and habitat fragmentation decrease habitat area and isolate populations, which are caused by human activities such as land development and the creation of physical barriers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Habitat destruction and habitat fragmentation decrease habitat area, isolate populations, and alter conditions at habitat edges. These processes lead to isolation of wildlife populations by establishing barriers such as highways, railway lines, and water channels, which hinder the movement of organisms and the dispersion of seeds and spores.
Moreover, habitat destruction often causes local populations to decline due to activities such as hunting, harvesting of plants, and excessive use of pesticides and herbicides. As land is increasingly modified or developed for human use, such as agriculture or urban expansion, these effects compound and further impact the native ecosystem.
Habitat components like continuous "corridors" or "stepping stones" help in mitigating the detrimental effects of isolation by enhancing connectivity. Nevertheless, the increase in population and the corresponding demands for land, water, food, and energy continue to drive the process of habitat destruction, which is considered the primary driver of species extinction worldwide.