Alternative Habitats

The term alternative habitat generally refers to man made or synthetic materials, place in a natural setting either intentionally or as waste material, being used by wildlife as a stand-in for their natural habitat. Typically when referring to alternative habitats one refers to synthetic ocean reefs and fish habitats. However the term can also refer to natural habitats not associated with a specific species, or part of a specie's life cycle, that the species has resorted to residing in due to external circumstances.

  1. Deliberate Alternative Habitats

    • Coral are small marine organisms that cluster together in large colonies forming coral reefs. Coral reefs are important underwater habitats for many species of fish and other aquatic creatures. Reefs are subject to damage by human activities such as dredging and beach restoration, as well as pollution and the maintenance of shipping channels. To help offset the negative effects of human activity, creative projects have been undertaken sinking old train cars or school buses to act as synthetic alternative habitats for coral-dwelling fish.

    Unintentional Alternative Habitats

    • Some alternative habitats for threatened species are not intentionally created, but become integral to their survival anyway. An example is found in the Horseshoe Crab population of Delaware Bay, New Jersey. Horseshoe crabs in that region have become reliant on alternative habitats in the form of bulk-headed beaches and restored beachfront in order to lay their eggs. Because human waterfront development displaced the crabs from their traditional spawning sites, so they adapted by using man-made beaches and areas cordoned off for nesting shorebirds.

    Species or Species Life Cycle Alternative Habitats

    • Alternative habitats can also refer to the presence of specific species, or a life cycle of a species, being present in an area not typically associated with that habitat. Studies have been undertaken in parts of Bermuda to establish how reliant on specific habitats some fish species are during parts of their life cycle. Some species of Parrotfish, for example, were found to be highly reliant on mangrove tidal pools during the larval stage of their development, immediately after hatching. This means that despite mangroves not being integral to survival for adult Parrotfish, these areas are extremely important for the survival of the species as they do not resort well to alternative habitats.

    Urban Alternative Habitats

    • Some nature enthusiasts residing in cities and urban areas have attempted to create alternative habitats for species not typically associated with city life, or not present in large numbers. For example, green roofs in Basel, Switzerland have become mandatory on all newly constructed buildings. Green roofs attempt to offset the loss of natural space inherent in building an apartment structure or office building by providing an alternative habitat for migratory birds and insects on the building rooftop.