Increasing ecological realism in conservation network design

Abstract

Human-caused fragmentation and loss of natural habitat are among the world's major challenges today. In combination with climate change, these processes contribute to soaring local and global extinction of many plant and animal species. Specifically, habitat loss and fragmentation disrupt contiguous natural areas, leading to low population sizes and geographic, demographic, and genetic isolation of populations. To avoid I further thank the European Commission's Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorate Programme "Forests and Nature for Society"(FONASO) for the awarded scholarship and Tanya Santos for pointing me towards the opportunity. Elma Kay kindly agreed to sign up the Environmental Research Institute of the University of Belize as an official FONASO partner institution. Besides all the professional support, I would not have survived the work without frequent decompression sessions and emotional support... Entertaining chats and cosy evenings, uplifting music sessions in Belizean reggae bars or open mics in Bangor or German sidewalk gigs, hiking the forests of Bladen Nature Reserve or the hills of Snowdonia National Park, 'eisenhartes Training' at Tuspo Weende or the focused katas at the Punta Gorda karate club, delicious cooking and much needed drinks with my fabulous flatmates, etc. The biological and cultural diversity in Belize, Germany, Wales and Belgium have been immensely inspiring and motivating.