Forest clearings are especially used by hens and poults. Spring seeps are also important, as they provide insect and vegetable food over winter. Beds of these plants provide food, shelter and nursery areas for the crabs. People have seriously affected most ecosystems in the Mid-Atlantic region. Land Use , Urban Sprawl , Coal Mining , Pesticides, Soil Erosion resulting from irresponsible farming, Introduced Species , and other human activities are destroying habitat.
Quantitative losses involve a reduction in the amount of habitat area.
For example, if a wetland is paved over, then there has been a quantitative loss of wetland. Qualitative changes involve a change or degradation in the structure, function, or composition of the habitat. For example, if a paper company is discharging chemicals into a waterway and poisoning the water, then there has been a qualitative loss. If species are unable to tolerate extensive habitat modifications they may become threatened or endangered, even extinct. The loss of species reduces biological diversity and can also have economic, recreational, and aesthetic impacts.