Land is cleared to make space for agriculture and housing.
Land clearing threatens biodiversity because:
The fields and residential areas that replace the cleared forests do not have the same diversity of life.
Agricultural land cannot support the same diversity of animals that forests can.
Conserving Biodiversity Through Wise Land Management
Governments and international agencies pass laws to protect biodiversity.
Replanting of native forests is promoted by Coillte, the state-sponsored company that manages Irish forests.
Creating national parks: creating nature reserves protects areas of significant biodiversity.