The landscape ecological approach in bird conservation: integrating the metapopulation concept into spatial planning

Abstract

In The Netherlands, fragmentation of (semi)natural ecosystems is regarded as a major nature conservation problem. The current Dutch Nature Conservation Policy Plan proposes a spatial network consisting of existing nature reserves, nature redevelopment areas and corridor zones. One of the objectives is to stop the assumed decline of biodiversity due to fragmentation. In this contribution we show that breeding birds are affected by the spatial distribution of their habitat. We also show how problems due to fragmentation can be solved by integrating landscape ecological research data into planning procedures. Fragmented bird populations show metapopulation characteristics, dependent on the degree of fragmentation. This can be concluded from pattern studies, in which presence or absence patterns are correlated with spatial characteristics. Metapopulation dynamics were used, and the frequency of local extinction and of recolonization were related to size of habitat patches and spatial position in the landscape. The conclusion is that, depending on the spatial scale, landscape fragmentation is a threat to birds. On the basis of empirical data, statistical and metapopulation models are being developed to be used to evaluate spatial planning scenarios and to support decision making about which scenario is closest to the planning aims.

Range of the Greater Flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus, metapopulation in the Mediterranean: new insights from Turkey

“…(Amat et al 2005). Metapopulation theory should thus be useful, for instance, in planning for the conservation of colonial waterbirds at an appropriate spatial scale, because the extinction of their colonies can be prevented or compensated by the demographic connections among colonies (Brown and Kodric-Brown 1977;Opdam 1991;Opdam et al 1995;Stacey et al 1997;Hanski 1999;Esler 2000). Mapping the range of a metapopulation and estimating the level of exchange among colonies are thus critical to understanding the dynamics of the species of concern and to establishing sound conservation measures.…”

Are bird song complexity and song sharing shaped by habitat structure? An information theory and statistical approach

“…There is 82 considerable evidence that habitat fragmentation can cause declines in avian populations 83 (Bender et al, 1998;Schmiegelow and Monkkonen, 2002). The main reasons of these 84 species' declines are a reduction of habitat areas (area effect) and an increase in distance 85 between remaining habitat patches that influences therefore dispersal ability (isolation 86 effect, Andrén, 1994; Opdam et al, 1994; reviewed in Saunders et al, 1991;Debinski 87 and Holt, 2000). Habitat fragmentation has been suggested to condition song variation in 88 some bird species (white crowned sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys nuttalli, Trainer,89 1983; corn bunting Miliaria calandra, Holland et al, 1996), but direct evidence has only 90 been shown in the Dupont's lark Chersophilius duponti Tella, 2005, 2007).…”

Testing the Ideal Free Distribution Hypothesis: Moose Response to Changes in Habitat Amount

“…Fragmentation can be measured with many different metrics but generally involves changes in the number of patches, edge amounts, and degree of isolation [10,[12][13][14]. As fragmentation increases, it is expected that the number of habitat patches increases and proximity of remaining habitat patches decreases.…”