Potential priority areas for forest-dwelling species in Spain based on the degree of forest fragmentation

Abstract

ABSTRACT Habitat fragmentation is a process that may impair the “habitat provision” ecosystem service provided by forests. Thus, it is relevant to quantify the degree of forest fragmentation, since higher levels are expected to have greater effects on forest species. Our goal was to deploy the Forest Area Density (FAD) metric as a tool to derive maps localizing potential priority areas for species requiring large, relatively undisturbed blocks of forest. The Spanish Forest Map (1:50,000) provided comprehensive data on forestland in the country. We defined forest types considering the ten most abundant species in Spain and pure and mixed stands. Then, we calculated FAD by forest type and produced a set of maps showing the results by general management scenario, namely habitat conservation and restoration. To develop forest planning, specific actions can be implemented within these areas in later steps, fostering biodiversity at national or smaller scales.