Final answer:
When habitat is reduced by 50% of its size, an estimated 10% to 30% of species may be lost, as inferred from the species-area curve which follows a non-linear relationship.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the generalized species-area curve, when habitat is reduced by 50% of its original size, approximately 10% to 30% of the species once present there will be lost. This estimate is based on the species-area relationship, which indicates that a certain percentage of habitat loss will lead to a non-linear but predictable percentage of species loss. For instance, a habitat reduction of 90% correlates with a species loss of about 50%. However, when the habitat loss is halved, the species loss is not as extreme due to the non-linear nature of the curve. It's crucial to note that the actual observed loss of species may vary due to factors such as species resilience and delay in extinctions.
The generalized species-area curve shows that when habitat is reduced by 50% of its original size, approximately 50% of the species once present there will be lost.
For example, if a forest area of 100 km² is reduced to 50 km², the number of species supported will decrease by about 50%.
This relationship between habitat loss and species loss can be observed in various habitats, including islands, where the number of species present increases with the size of the island.