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Habitat loss in New Zealand has been an issue for centuries. The problem originated when settlers came from Europe and began building towns and farms on what was forest, wetland, and estuary land. A study showed that 85% of New Zealand was covered with forests and when humans began to settle there, that number decreased. Today, New Zealand is covered by only 23% of forests. The 3 main reasons for the habitat loss are the conversion of ecosystems into farmland and other human development, parts of ecosystems have been destroyed leaving only bits and pieces of them, and ecosystems were slowly disintegrating because there aren't enough individuals in a species to to keep their ecosystems alive. Yet, hunting wouldn't be considered the bigger problem. Hunting would only be a predator to a specific specie or a specific individual and not cause direct harm to the ecosystem. It is when a habitat is lost when each specie that lives in that habitat become affected.======

__The Possible Consequences:__

 * Animals would begin to settle in our backyards and towns.

-Ex. In Florida, alligators are being found in the backyards of people that live near water because the alligators' natural habitat, the Everglades, has decreased in size.

 * The loss of one or more species which would effect future generations and their studies on biodiversity.