Orchards are just as important...

When you think of loss of habitat, most people think of rain forests and savannas. When you think of loss of wildlife, most people think of beautiful tigers and majestic birds with rainbow colored plumage.

An article printed by the BBC mentions the loss of orchards as a significant habitat loss and how animal species such as beetles and woodpeckers therefore are at risk. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/8014873.stm

In my home town there were large orchards all over the place. Living here for 40 years and 11 months, I pretty much took them for granted. After reading this article were it mentions how small orchard growers are pressured to develop their land from pressure by larger companies, I've realized how much the orchards once abundant in my home town have shrunk. When I was a kid I used to see pheasant all the time but I haven't seen them on a regular basis for years. The same goes for deer and fox. I never really thought of the apple orchards decline as a factor in the decline of wildlife numbers. This is an important example of how all land types are significant.