A quantitative analysis of forest fragmentation in Los Tuxtlas, southeast Mexico: patterns and implications for conservation

Mendoza, Eduardo; Fay, John P.; Dirzo, Rodolfo

doi:10.4067/s0716-078x2005000300008

Cited by 77 publications

(64 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Since the second half of the 20th century, high rates of deforestation have dramatically reduced forest cover in the vicinity of the study site (24). As a consequence, the reserve's area has been reduced to a medium-sized forest fragment (640 ha), mostly surrounded by pasture (Fig.…”

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confidence: 99%

Anthropogenic disturbances jeopardize biodiversity conservation within tropical rainforest reserves

Martı́nez-Ramos

Ortiz-Rodríguez

Piñero

et al. 2016

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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Anthropogenic disturbances affecting tropical forest reserves have been documented, but their ecological long-term cumulative effects are poorly understood. Habitat fragmentation and defaunation are two major anthropogenic threats to the integrity of tropical reserves. Based on a long-term (four decades) study, we document how these disturbances synergistically disrupt ecological processes and imperil biodiversity conservation and ecosystem functioning at Los Tuxtlas, the northernmost tropical rainforest reserve in the Americas. Deforestation around this reserve has reduced the reserve to a mediumsized fragment (640 ha), leading to an increased frequency of canopy-gap formation. In addition, hunting and habitat loss have caused the decline or local extinction of medium and large herbivores. Combining empirical, experimental, and modeling approaches, we support the hypothesis that such disturbances produced a demographic explosion of the long-lived (≈120 y old, maximum height of 7 m) understory palm Astrocaryum mexicanum, whose population has increased from 1,243-4,058 adult individuals per hectare in only 39 y (annual growth rate of ca. 3%). Faster gap formation increased understory light availability, enhancing seed production and the growth of immature palms, whereas release from mammalian herbivory and trampling increased survival of seedlings and juveniles. In turn, the palm's demographic explosion was followed by a reduction of tree species diversity, changing forest composition, altering the relative contribution of trees to forest biomass, and disrupting litterfall dynamics. We highlight how indirect anthropogenic disturbances (e.g., palm proliferation) on otherwise protected areas threaten tropical conservation, a phenomenon that is currently eroding the planet's richest repositories of biodiversity.H uman activities operate as dominant drivers of biodiversity change and disruption of ecosystem processes in tropical forest ecosystems (1). Forest fragmentation modifies the structure, diversity, dynamics, and species composition of arboreal communities through habitat reduction and edge effects on tree mortality and recruitment rates (2, 3), liana proliferation (4), and invasive species (5). In addition, fragmentation reduces area of habitat necessary for many vertebrates (herbivores, seed predators, or seed dispersers) to maintain viable populations (6, 7). Fragmentation also facilitates poaching of game animals (7,8), which, in turn, disrupts trophic interactions that are critical for the maintenance of species diversity (9, 10). More specifically, fragmentation reduces population sizes of some shadetolerant tree species while fostering the presence of generalist and pioneer plant species (5, 11). Additionally, defaunation is differential, leading to the disappearance or decline of medium and large herbivores (12), and favors the proliferation of large-seeded, shadetolerant tree species (13). All these changes reduce tree diversity in forest fragments (14,15). Studies documenting the effects of forest fr...

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mentioning

confidence: 99%

Anthropogenic disturbances jeopardize biodiversity conservation within tropical rainforest reserves

Martı́nez-Ramos

Ortiz-Rodríguez

Piñero

et al. 2016

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

Self Cite

113

102

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“…Thus, an important question to pursue is whether even appreciable large-scale gene flow may not be sufficient to counteract breeding system consequences of fragmentation. Moreover, the relationship between forest fragmentation and the overall landscape of Los Tuxtlas is dynamic in that the region is still experiencing ongoing deforestation (Mendoza et al, 2005), so that their emphasis on genetic processes rather than just measures of extant genetic variation is crucial to going beyond a snapshot of the current situation.…”

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confidence: 99%

A fragmented future for the forest flora

Meagher

2010

Heredity

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“…Hornbills tend to be affected by habitat disturbance, including logging, forest fires and other habitat disturbances [15]- [17]. Fragmentation of the landscape may have severe consequences for forest biota, including loss of suitable habitat for sensitive species [18] and also increasing competition from generalist species [19]. All of which may ultimately result in local extinction of native forest dependent species [19].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Disruption of the natural habitat poses a serious threat that can disrupt the presence of birds in Mount Unggaran, such as habitat fragmentation, forest clearing for coffee or tea plantation, illegal logging, hunting and trade of birds.Fragmentation of the landscape may have severe consequences for forest biota, including loss of suitable habitat for sensitive species [1] and increasing competition from generalist species [2], all of which may ultimately result in local extinction of native forest dependent species.The analysis of population showed thatdensity value of Whreathed hornbill in Mount Ungaranwas 14.60 bird/Km 2 [3]. In general it can be said that Mount Ungaran is a suitable habitat for Whreathed hornbill.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial Modeling of Whreathed Hornbill (Acerosundulatus) Habitat in Mount Ungaran Central Java

Rahayuningsih¹,

Kartijono²,

Suharini³

2015

IJESD

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Abstract-The objective of the research was to find the suitable habitat for Whreathed Hornbill (Acerosundulatus) using GIS in Mount Ungaran. The research was carried out in five stations: Banyuwindu, Gajah Mungkur, Watu Ondo, Gunung Gentong, and Gajah Mungkur. The method of data collection consisted of spatial data and tabular data. The determining of habitat and the nest distribution were carried out using GPS (Global Positioning System) andprocessing the data was using Arc Gis and Erdas Imagine 9.1 software.The results showed that very suitable area for bird habitat in Mount Ungaranwas 2436.73 ha (13%), whereas 985.11 ha (51%) was considered as suitable area and 7171.37 ha or 36% as unsuitable area. The results validate the suitability of habitat for Whreathed Hornbill is 75%. The accuracy value of 75% indicates that the suitability map model for Whreathed Hornbill habitat is relatively good and is acceptable.

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A quantitative analysis of forest fragmentation in Los Tuxtlas, southeast Mexico: patterns and implications for conservation

Cited by 77 publications

References 34 publications

Anthropogenic disturbances jeopardize biodiversity conservation within tropical rainforest reserves

Anthropogenic disturbances jeopardize biodiversity conservation within tropical rainforest reserves

A fragmented future for the forest flora

Spatial Modeling of Whreathed Hornbill (Acerosundulatus) Habitat in Mount Ungaran Central Java

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