What does forest fragmentation refer to?

Forest fragmentation refers to the breaking up of contiguous forest areas into smaller, isolated patches. This phenomenon occurs due to a variety of human activities, such as urban development, agriculture, and infrastructure expansion, which divide large expanses of forest into smaller, more isolated pieces. This spatial separation can have significant ecological consequences, including the disruption of wildlife habitats, reduction in biodiversity, and increased vulnerability of species that require large territories for survival.

By contrast, the other options highlight concepts that are not aligned with the definition of forest fragmentation. Extinction of large forest species is a consequence that may arise from fragmentation but does not define the process itself. Environmental restoration pertains to efforts aimed at rehabilitating degraded areas and restoring ecosystems, which is opposite to the idea of fragmentation. Lastly, consolidation of habitats implies an increase in habitat area or connectivity, which directly contradicts what fragmentation entails. Therefore, the chosen answer accurately captures the essence of forest fragmentation in an ecological context.