In relation to the development of RTP, buildings appear to be encapsulating the landscape.  As a result, parking lots and manicured lawns are eliminating the natural habitats for many native species.  At the current rate of development, the corporate growth will eventually reach a level which fully destroys the potential for native habitats in the RTP area.  The outcome of a destruction (human regulation of wildlife) of this magnitude is difficult to predict, because of the extreme time delays of ecosystem reactions.  It is probable that highly valuable species reside in the natural areas of RTP and are struggling against development. Perhaps one of these species will be found to be life saving in the future, but instead of providing a landscape for the many pharmaceutical companies of RTP to research the species, its habitat was replaced by well-manicured lawns or cemented parking lots, forcing it into extinction.         

The ecosystems within RTP are highly fragmented by the many buildings, which leads them to be fragile and vulnerable to the commonly occurring negative human interactions. As buildings continue to rise, the remaining habitat areas of RTP are becoming more isolated and “island-like” with no connection to other habitats.  Species are able to cross a very limited distance of non-habitat in attempting to move between habitats.  This mobility restriction, as well as, the constant habitat shrinking, will lead to a significant decrease in species diversity.  A low species richness will lead to an abundance of dominant common species and an elimination of rare species.  Considering the value of most species and the effects of extinction yet to be determined, measures must be taken to avoid destroying habitat.

All species have a tolerance area, referred to as a niche, in which they are able to deal with and sometimes require factors influencing their growth, without extreme harm to the species population.  Human interaction within the natural areas of RTP is a prime example of regulating a niche.  Too much human interaction in habitat areas is highly disturbing to the population and falls outside of the niche boundaries.  In this situation, too little human interaction will also harm the species and fall at the other extreme of the niche boundaries.  While nature is often thought to be best left untouched, this landscape requires some outside influence.  If RTP is allowed to continue to expand with no work to protect habitat areas, the niche of many species will be destroyed.  Therefore, corporations need to address the situation and actively work to restore previously degraded habitats on company lands, as well as, enhance current habitat areas to provide for greater populations.  

Simplification of the landscape greatly reduces species diversity, which in turn reduces genetic diversity and functional diversity.  Corporate simplification of landscapes is common within RTP.  Well-manicured lawns and cemented parking lots are more aesthetically pleasing to most business people than seemingly overgrown natural grasses.  However, the installation of these non-complex landscapes, not only removes the previous natural habitat areas, but also caters to the dominant common species rather than including the interests of rare species.  Species richness is important for the preservation of genetic and functional complexity within species to allow for adaptation, immunity, and disturbance resistance. 

Landscape complexity within RTP offers numerous advantages, not only to wildlife, but to the entire corporate community as well.  Allowing for natural growth to replace turf grass will greatly reduce the expenses of mowing and fertilizing a lawn, which provides little habitat.  Elimination of pesticides and fertilizers on the lawns surrounding RTP buildings, will greatly reduce pollution to local waterways.  Furthermore, the natural growth will greatly reduce runoff which causes flooding, an issue common to the Triangle area.