Habitat fragmentation and biodiversity conservation: key findings and future challenges

Wilson, Maxwell C.; Chen, Xiao‐Yong; Corlett, Richard T.; Didham, Raphaël K.; Ding, Ping; Holt, Robert D.; Holyoak, Marcel; Hu, Guang; Hughes, Alice C.; Jiang, Lin; Laurance, William F.; Liu, Jiajia; Pimm, Stuart L.; Robinson, Scott K.; Russo, Sabrina E.; Si, Xingfeng; Wilcove, David S.; Wu, Jianguo; Yu, Mingjian

doi:10.1007/s10980-015-0312-3

Cited by 385 publications

(282 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Fragmentation experiments have been carried out in landscape ecology, but usually through natural experiments (e.g., creation of habitat islands through flooding caused by dam building; Wu et al 2003) or through manipulation of artificial habitats (Haddad et al 2015). Wilson et al (2016) outline fundamental questions that still remain about fragmentation, and suggest that to fully understand the process and effects of fragmentation across spatial, temporal and organizational scales, that new techniques are needed. We propose that the model system presented here could be one such technique.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is it common to be rare on the landscape? A test using a novel model system

Wiersma

McMullin

2017

Landscape Ecol

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Context Understanding how rare species are distributed can be difficult due to heterogeneity between landscape units. Lack of statistical replication of landscapes can make it difficult to carry out testing. Model systems may be a solution. Objectives We test whether lichen thalli along the trunk of a tree are analogous to habitat patches in a kilometers-extent landscape and hence can function as a model system. This model system allows for increased statistical power. We use this system to test whether landscapes with rare species are different from those without. Methods We sampled macrolichen diversity along the trunk of 24 balsam fir trees in a stand on the Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland, Canada, along with microclimate variables. We analysed difference in pattern by aspect and along the gradient of 1 m up the trunk as well as between trees containing the rare Erioderma pedicellatum and those without. Results We found no difference in total patch richness or abundance between the micro-landscapes. We found significantly consistent patterns in lichen patches along the trunk. These patterns were similar on the trees with the rare species. Lichen species richness did not differ between trees containing the rare species versus those that did not. Conclusions Lichen patch pattern is statistically similar between trees and as such, these can be considered as replicate landscape units. Thus, landscape ecologists can use micro-landscapes as model systems to conduct observational and manipulative experiments to test questions about spatial pattern and process, such as those concerning distribution of rare species.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is it common to be rare on the landscape? A test using a novel model system

Wiersma

McMullin

2017

Landscape Ecol

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“…Habitat degradation, loss, and fragmentation are considered the primary causes for biodiversity loss (Wu 2013) and are key research topics in landscape ecology (Wilson 2016). Although infectious diseases are seldom considered actual drivers of species extinctions, for threatened populations in fragmented areas they can have an additive effect.…”

Section: First Record Of Tapeworm Moniezia In Leopardsmentioning

confidence: 99%

<b>First record of tapeworm <I>Moniezia</I> (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae) infections in Leopards: Coprological survey of gastrointestinal parasites of wild and captive cats in Sri Lanka</b>

Kobbekaduwa¹,

Fillieux²,

Thududgala³

et al. 2017

J. Threat. Taxa

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Sri Lanka is home to four species of wildcats: Leopard, Fishing Cat, Rusty-spotted Cat and Jungle Cat. All four, except the Jungle Cat, are listed threatened. A coprological survey was carried out in 2014 to determine the gastrointestinal (GI) parasites of wild and captive cats in Sri Lanka. Parasite eggs and cysts were isolated and morphologically identified using iodine smears and a modified salt flotation. The intensity of infection was quantified using a McMaster counting technique. A total of 45 fecal samples were analyzed. Except for the six captive Rusty-spotted Cats, all cats were infected with one or more GI parasites. The presence of Moniezia sp. in Leopards in the Horton Plains National Park with an intensity of 150–1850 EPG (eggs per gram of feces) was unexpected. Moniezia is a common GI parasite of ruminants and before our study it had never been recorded in Leopards. Cross species infection with Moniezia could be possible due to accidental ingestion of cysticercoid infected oribatid mites, the intermediate host which could have been picked up in the pasture while feeding on carcasses. Among the other parasitic infections in Leopards Toxocara was most common (61.9%) followed by strongyle infections (15.4%). Of the fecal samples collected from wild Leopards 80.0% were infected with GI parasites while no GI parasites were found in the captive Leopard samples. The Jungle Cats and the Rusty-spotted Cats sampled were in captivity and only the Jungle Cats were infected with strongyles. Toxocara was recorded in Leopards and Fishing Cat both in captivity and in the wild. It is a common GI infection of cats causing morbidity in all age groups and mortality in young animals. Although parasitic infections of cats may not be a direct reason for a species’ decline, parasitic infections spreading within a small fragmented population could reduce the vitality and numbers and threaten the population further. This is the first report of GI parasites of wildcats of Sri Lanka and the first record of Moniezia infections in Leopards.

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“…An important form of habitat degradation is fragmentation, the reduction of continuous habitat into smaller, spatially distinct patches immersed within a dissimilar matrix (3,4). Fragmented habitat can result from abiotic and biotic factors that generate natural patchiness in landscapes, as well as anthropogenic disturbances that have rapidly accelerated and intensified habitat fragmentation globally (3). Fragmentation can create detrimental edge effects along the boundaries of habitat patches, precipitate population decline, restrict animal movement and gene flow, and sever landscape connectivity (5).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantification of habitat fragmentation reveals extinction risk in terrestrial mammals

Crooks

Burdett

Theobald

et al. 2017

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

355

258

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Although habitat fragmentation is often assumed to be a primary driver of extinction, global patterns of fragmentation and its relationship to extinction risk have not been consistently quantified for any major animal taxon. We developed high-resolution habitat fragmentation models and used phylogenetic comparative methods to quantify the effects of habitat fragmentation on the world's terrestrial mammals, including 4,018 species across 26 taxonomic Orders. Results demonstrate that species with more fragmentation are at greater risk of extinction, even after accounting for the effects of key macroecological predictors, such as body size and geographic range size. Species with higher fragmentation had smaller ranges and a lower proportion of high-suitability habitat within their range, and most high-suitability habitat occurred outside of protected areas, further elevating extinction risk. Our models provide a quantitative evaluation of extinction risk assessments for species, allow for identification of emerging threats in species not classified as threatened, and provide maps of global hotspots of fragmentation for the world's terrestrial mammals. Quantification of habitat fragmentation will help guide threat assessment and strategic priorities for global mammal conservation.conservation | extinction risk | habitat fragmentation | mammals T he diversity of life on earth is jeopardized by human activities (1) and the world's mammals are at great risk; 27% of mammalian species globally are threatened with extinction and the loss and degradation of habitat has been implicated as a primary threat (2). An important form of habitat degradation is fragmentation, the reduction of continuous habitat into smaller, spatially distinct patches immersed within a dissimilar matrix (3, 4). Fragmented habitat can result from abiotic and biotic factors that generate natural patchiness in landscapes, as well as anthropogenic disturbances that have rapidly accelerated and intensified habitat fragmentation globally (3). Fragmentation can create detrimental edge effects along the boundaries of habitat patches, precipitate population decline, restrict animal movement and gene flow, and sever landscape connectivity (5). Habitat fragmentation also interacts with and intensifies the effects of other agents of global environmental change, including facilitating species invasions and limiting the ability of organisms to shift distributions in response to climate change (6, 7). Despite this potential threat, the effects of habitat fragmentation on global biodiversity and its importance relative to other anthropogenic stressors has been the subject of considerable debate (4, 8). The degree of habitat fragmentation for the world's mammals, however, and its relation to extinction risk, have not been quantified globally. Furthermore, no study has specifically identified the location of global hotspots of fragmentation for terrestrial mammals, or indeed any major animal taxon. Consequently, although fragmentation is commonly assumed to be a dri...

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Habitat fragmentation and biodiversity conservation: key findings and future challenges

Cited by 385 publications

References 49 publications

Is it common to be rare on the landscape? A test using a novel model system

Is it common to be rare on the landscape? A test using a novel model system

<b>First record of tapeworm <I>Moniezia</I> (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae) infections in Leopards: Coprological survey of gastrointestinal parasites of wild and captive cats in Sri Lanka</b>

Quantification of habitat fragmentation reveals extinction risk in terrestrial mammals

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