Diversity Ecosystems in the United States are blessed with a rich variety of species. However, as sprawl moves into an area species diversity decreases. The once distinct habitat types are replaced by monotonous landscapes with very few species. Some species, such as crows and raccoons, thrive off of the human environments that sprawl brings into an area. Sensitive native species that depend on fragile local habitats are pushed out of the generalized habitat and often disappear.
Sprawl also harms our native plant species.
The increase of roads, driveways and parking lots increases the amount of road salt and other sediments in the runoff. When this runoff flows into wetlands, it changes the salinity and quality of the habitat. This reed grows so fast and so thick that it crowds out the native marsh grasses, rushes and sedges. Although the increase of generalist species such as raccoons, crows and the common reed may not cause the overall numbers of animals and plants to decline, it causes variety of species to plummet. Every time a species is lost it causes a chain reaction that affects the functioning and interactions within its ecosystem.