Habitat fragmentation refers to the process by which large, contiguous habitats are broken into smaller, isolated patches due to human activities or natural events. This phenomenon impacts biodiversity, ecosystem health, and species survival, and is significant in conservation biology and land-use planning.
Reference: Fahrig, L. (2003). Effects of Habitat Fragmentation on Biodiversity. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics, 34(1), 487-515.