habitat
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habitat
The natural living environment of a specific animal or plant species, with the specific environmental conditions it needs to live.
Die Zerstörung des Regenwaldes bedroht das Habitat unzähliger Arten.
The destruction of the rainforest threatens the habitat of countless species.
The meaning depends on the topic. If it is about animals, plants, or the environment, it refers to the biological living environment. If people are talking about humans, social groups, or culture, it refers to the figurative social environment.
Das Habitat des Eisbären ist durch den Klimawandel bedroht.
The polar bear's habitat is threatened by climate change.
'Habitat' (habitat) was originally a technical term from biology. However, it is now also used in everyday language, especially when it comes to environmental protection and endangered species.
Wir müssen das natürliche Habitat dieser Vögel schützen.
We must protect the natural habitat of these birds.
In a biological context, typical combinations are 'natürliches Habitat' (natural habitat), 'ein Habitat zerstören' (to destroy a habitat), 'ein Habitat schützen' (to protect a habitat), or 'das Habitat einer Art' (the habitat of a species).
Durch die Abholzung verlieren viele Tiere ihr Habitat.
Because of deforestation, many animals are losing their habitat.
This meaning is a metaphor. The idea of the 'natürlicher Lebensraum' (natural habitat) is transferred from the animal world to the social or cultural environment of people in which they feel comfortable.
Diese kleine Buchhandlung ist das Habitat für alle Lesebegeisterten der Stadt.
This small bookstore is the habitat for all the book lovers in the city.
surroundings / environment
'Umgebung' and 'Habitat' both have to do with the place or environment where life takes place. 'Umgebung' is general: it can mean the area around a house or a city, or also a person's social environment. 'Habitat' is more specific and is used mainly for the natural habitat of an animal or plant species. In a figurative sense, it can also mean a typical environment for people, but then it sounds more specialized. Learners may confuse the words because both describe something around someone or something. For everyday situations, 'Umgebung' usually fits; for nature and species, 'Habitat' fits better.
In diesem Wald wird das Habitat seltener Vögel geschützt.
In this forest, the habitat of rare birds is protected.
Er kennt die Umgebung sehr gut, weil er hier seit Jahren wohnt.
He knows the area very well because he has lived here for years.