A habitat is a physical space that supports the survival of a given species or of individuals of a given species. They include both biotic factors, such as plants and bacteria, and abiotic factors, such as temperature and air quality. Human development and other disturbances can fragment or destroy habitats. This causes them to become spatially separated or otherwise degraded to the point where they cannot support all the species previously occupying the area. Healthy and intact habitats, then, provide for the development of renewable natural resources and also maintain important ecological elements such as biodiversity.
Sources:
http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/51cbedf27896bb431f694ede/