What does it mean when an ecosystem is described as fragmented?

When an ecosystem is described as fragmented, it indicates that it is composed of isolated patches of habitat, which are separated from each other by areas that are often not suitable for the species that inhabit those patches. Fragmentation commonly occurs due to human activities such as urban development, agriculture, and road construction, which divide larger ecosystems into smaller, isolated portions.

This isolation can significantly impact biodiversity and ecological processes, as species may have more difficulty moving between patches, leading to reduced genetic diversity and increased vulnerability to extinction. In a fragmented ecosystem, the remaining patches may not be large enough to support the full range of species that previously thrived in a contiguous habitat, altering community dynamics and ecosystem functions.

The other choices do not reflect the concept of fragmentation. A thriving ecosystem would typically imply a healthy and continuous habitat, while larger ecosystems may arise from expansion or growth rather than fragmentation. Furthermore, restoration efforts usually aim to reconnect fragmented habitats rather than create fragmentation itself. Therefore, the accurate definition surrounding the fragmentation of an ecosystem is that it consists of isolated patches of habitat.