Effects Of Habitat Fragmentation Research Articles

Differential response of plant and insect pollinator communities to fragmentation in coastal dune slacks

Abstract Habitat destruction and fragmentation are one of the main drivers of pollinator decline and biodiversity loss in general. However, the exact effects of habitat fragmentation on pollinator communities are still poorly understood, and it remains unclear which patch characteristics are most important in driving pollinator diversity and community composition. In this study, we inventoried plant and insect diversity in a total of 19 fragmented dune slacks in Belgium. Specifically, we assessed the effects of dune slack area and connectivity on plant and pollinator diversity and community composition. Additionally, we investigated to what extent plant diversity had an impact on insect pollinator communities. The results indicated that species richness of both plants and insects was significantly related to patch area, whereas patch connectivity only had a significant effect on plant diversity. Nestedness analyses showed that plant communities of small dune slacks were a subset of the communities of large patches, but no such patterns were found for insect communities. Turnover in pollinator communities was high and significantly related to the distance separating dune slacks. Overall, our results highlight the importance of large patches for sustaining both plant and pollinator communities. Additionally, enhancing connectivity has the potential to promote plant diversity and consequently benefit pollinator species.

Identifying keystone connectivity spots under climate change: Implications to conservation and management of riparian systems

Climate change has intensified the effects of habitat fragmentation in many ecosystems, particularly exacerbated in riparian habitats. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify keystone connectivity spots to ensure long-term conservation and sustainable management of riparian systems as they play a crucial role for landscape connectivity. This paper aims to identify critical areas for connectivity under two contrasting climate change scenarios (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 models) for the years 2030, 2050 and 2100 and to group these critical areas by similar connectivity in keystone spots for sustainable management. A set of analyses comprising climate analysis, drainage network analysis, configuration of potential riparian habitats, riparian habitat connectivity, data clustering, and statistical analysis within a Spanish river basin (NW Spain) were applied. The node and link connectivity would be reduced under the two climate change scenarios (≈2.5 % and 4.4 % reduction, respectively), intensifying riparian habitat fragmentation. Furthermore, 51 different clusters (critical areas) were obtained and classified in five classes (keystone spots) with similar connectivity across the different scenarios of climate change. Each keystone spot obtained by hierarchical classification was associated with one or more climate scenarios. One of these keystone spots was especially susceptible to the worst climate change scenario. Key riparian connectivity spots will be crucial for the management and restoration of highly threatened riparian systems and to ensure long-term biodiversity conservation.

Social information modifies the associations between forest fragmentation and the abundance of a passerine bird

Habitat loss and fragmentation are the main factors driving the occurrence and abundance of species in the landscape. However, the local occurrence and abundance of species may also depend on conspecific and heterospecific social information e.g. clues of animals’ presence or their voices. We investigated the impact of the interaction between different types of social information and forest fragmentation on the abundance of the song thrush, Turdus philomelos, in Central Europe. Three types of social information (attractive, repulsive, and mixed) and procedural control were broadcasted via loudspeakers in 150 forest patches that varied in size and isolation metrics. Repulsive social information (cues of presence of predator) decreased abundance of song thrush. Also, the repulsive social information changed the association between forest patch isolation, size and the abundance. Attractive social information (songs of the studied thrush) had no effect on song thrush abundance. However, the attractive social information reversed the positive correlation between habitat patch size and the abundance. Mixed social information (both repulsive and attractive) had no impact on the abundance nor interacted with habitat fragmentation. The observed effects mostly did not last to the next breeding season. Overall, our findings indicate that lands of fear and social attraction could modify the effect of habitat fragmentation on the species abundance but these effects probably are not long-lasting.

The combined effects of habitat fragmentation and life history traits on specialisation in lichen symbioses

Abstract Interactions between organisms are determined by life‐history traits. Ecological strategies regarding species specialisation range from generalist to highly specialised relationships. Although it is expected that habitat fragmentation's effect on species abundance and survival depends on their degree of specialisation and life‐history traits, few studies have delved into the interplay between interaction specialisation, life‐history traits and habitat fragmentation. Here, we investigate the combined effect of habitat fragmentation, forest structure and life‐history traits (growth form and reproductive mode) on the specialisation of lichen‐forming fungi (mycobionts) toward their photosynthetic partners (photobionts) in lichen symbioses. We studied mycobiont specialisation in epiphytic lichen communities present in 10 fragments of Quercus rotundifolia forest embedded in an agricultural matrix. Both mycobionts and photobionts were identified DNA barcoding and mycobiont specialisation was measured through interaction parameters calculating the relative number of interactions (normalised degree; ND) and the specialisation of each species based on its discrimination from a random selection of partners (d'). Phylogenetic generalised linear mixed models were used to analyse the effect of patch size as well as the life history traits growth form (crustose, foliose, fruticose) and reproduction mode (sexual vs. asexual) on mycobiont specialisation. Both mycobiont and photobiont richness along the patch size gradient followed a hump‐back pattern, which was more pronounced in photobionts. Mycobionts forming crustose thalli established the largest number of interactions. Mycobiont specialisation (d') was larger for fruticose and foliose forms and species with vegetative reproduction. Along the gradient of fragment size, the relative number of interactions decreased and the specialisation of mycobionts with vegetative reproduction increased. Synthesis. The study of mycobiont specialisation towards their photobionts in epiphytic lichen communities in a fragmented Mediterranean forest revealed a complex interaction between species' life history traits and habitat fragmentation. In particular, this interplay had a significant impact on the specialisation of mycobionts. The results show the ability of some species to modulate their specialisation according to habitat conditions, suggesting that some species may be more resilient to abiotic changes than expected.

The Design and Location Characteristics of Wildlife Overpasses in Hungary

Hungary's motorway network has developed significantly over the past twenty years. These developments have increased the length of fenced roads, which also means increased habitat fragmentation effects. Wildlife crossings have been built on new sections to reduce isolation caused by roads. This study examined 57 wildlife overpasses using satellite imagery. We determined the internal and overall widths of the crossings, their total length and the length of the noise barriers, as well as the width-to-length ratio. The crossings were classified according to ramp design, noise barrier material and noise barrier run-down. In addition, a surface cover map was used to examine landscape features within 500 m of the crossings and evaluate the crossings' placement. Our results show that the average width of the overpass corridor was 14.4 m. The width-to-length ratio was 0.16. Based on this, we concluded that the wildlife crossings in Hungary could be classified as narrow crossings. There was also considerable variation in design characteristics, with the crossings studied not being uniform in either ramp design or noise barrier characteristics. The results of the placement's landscape characterisation indicate that many overpasses in agricultural areas are particularly favourable for roe deer (Capreolus capreolus).

Recommendations for the establishment of a trans-island canopy bridge network to support primate movement across Langkawi Island, Malaysia

AbstractThe expansion of transportation and service corridors has numerous, well-documented adverse effects on wildlife. However, little research on this topic has been translated into mitigating the effects of habitat fragmentation caused by road development on primates. The establishment of canopy bridges has proven to be an effective conservation intervention. Of the completed primate canopy bridge projects reported in the literature, to our knowledge, all attempt to mitigate the impacts caused by singular, linear infrastructure routes. Here we provide recommendations for the establishment of a network of natural and artificial canopy bridges over roads throughout Langkawi Island, Malaysia, to reduce rates of roadkill and support the movement of primates and other arboreal animals across the island by identifying suitable sites and appropriate tree species to be planted (including Ficus racemosa and Ficus fistulosa), bridge materials and post-installation monitoring. The establishment of this pioneering trans-island canopy bridge network could function as a model to enhance connectivity for arboreal animals in other important wildlife habitat sites in Malaysia and beyond that are affected by fragmentation from linear infrastructure. We have begun discussions with relevant authorities, partners and other pertinent parties, focusing on the initiation of construction of the canopy bridge network in 2024.

Complex nonmonotonic responses of biodiversity to habitat destruction.

It has typically been assumed that habitat destruction, characterized by habitat loss and fragmentation, has consistently negative effects on biodiversity. While numerous empirical studies have shown the detrimental effects of habitat loss, debate continues as to whether habitat fragmentation has universally negative effects. To explore the effects of habitat fragmentation, we developed a simple model for site-occupancy dynamics in fragmented landscapes. With the model, we demonstrate that a competition-colonization trade-off can result in nonlinear oscillatory responses in biodiversity to both habitat loss and fragmentation. However, the overall pattern of habitat loss reducing species richness is still established, in line with empirical observations. Interestingly, the existence of localized oscillations in biodiversity can explain the mixed responses of species richness to habitat fragmentation per se observed in nature, thereby reconciling the debate on the fragmentation-diversity relationship. Therefore, this study offers a parsimonious mechanistic explanation for empirically observed biodiversity patterns in response to habitat destruction.

Effects of Habitat Fragmentation of a Mediterranean Marine Reef on the Associated Fish Community: Insights from Biological Traits Analysis

Habitat fragmentation (HF) is an ecological process, which is potentially also one of the main causes of diversity loss. Many studies have debated the best tools to adopt for assessing the effects of HF. The traditional application of biodiversity metrics might not fully describe the biotic community associated to a particular habitat or the ongoing ecological processes. The community-weighted mean (CWM) seems to be a valid investigation index, since biological traits (BTs) of the associated community are selected by local environmental factors. Furthermore, by combining species with common BTs into Functional Groups (FGs), it is possible to account for ecological functions that are supported by the inclusion of the response of key species within the same context. In our case study, we investigated the possible effect of HF of different Sicilian vermetid reefs on the associated infralittoral fish community based on the (i) vermetid fragmentation level, (ii) nature of the infralittoral substratum and (iii) conservational level of protection. We expected HF to be the main factor in shaping the local fish community; however, the nature of the infralittoral substratum proved to be the principal driver of the ichthyofaunal community. By analysing separately the two infralittoral substrata considered in the study, we observed how HF might affect the associated fish community differently. A pristine vermetid reef seems to sustain a higher number of FGs when established on a rocky substratum. On the other hand, in the presence of a sandy substratum, a fragmented vermetid reef seems to attract a more functionally rich fish community than those accounted for a pristine status. Our results provide some evidence in support of the need to include a broad spectrum of community function descriptors for a more comprehensive characterisation of a habitat and for the assessment of the functioning of its ecosystem.

Drivers of habitat availability for terrestrial mammals: Unravelling the role of livestock, land conversion and intrinsic traits in the past 50 years.

The global decline of terrestrial species is largely due to the degradation, loss and fragmentation of their habitats. The conversion of natural ecosystems for cropland, rangeland, forest products and human infrastructure are the primary causes of habitat deterioration. Due to the paucity of data on the past distribution of species and the scarcity of fine-scale habitat conversion maps, however, accurate assessment of the recent effects of habitat degradation, loss and fragmentation on the range of mammals has been near impossible. We aim to assess the proportions of available habitat within the lost and retained parts of mammals' distribution ranges, and to identify the drivers of habitat availability. We produced distribution maps for 475 terrestrial mammals for the range they occupied 50 years ago and compared them to current range maps. We then calculated the differences in the percentage of 'area of habitat' (habitat available to a species within its range) between the lost and retained range areas. Finally, we ran generalized linear mixed models to identify which variables were more influential in determining habitat availability in the lost and retained parts of the distribution ranges. We found that 59% of species had a lower proportion of available habitat in the lost range compared to the retained range, thus hypothesizing that habitat loss could have contributed to range declines. The most important factors negatively affecting habitat availability were the conversion of land to rangeland and high density of livestock. Significant intrinsic traits were those related to reproductive timing and output, habitat breadth and medium body size. Our findings emphasize the importance of implementing conservation strategies to mitigate the impacts caused by human activities on the habitats of mammals, and offer evidence indicating which species have the potential to reoccupy portions of their former range if other threats cease to occur.

Census of breeding birds in the Pyrenees in the early 1980s: A publicly available dataset for ecological research.

The Pyrenees is a mountain range in south-western Europe that supports a rich diversity of bird species. In 1981, point count surveys of breeding birds (passerines and picidae) were carried out in the Vanera valley, a valley in the eastern Pyrenees, resulting in a data set of 228 counts. These data provide valuable information on the distribution and abundance of bird populations on 5350 ha of heterogeneous land (including cropland, grasslands, heaths and river banks, and pine forest) at altitudes ranging from 1100 to 2600 meters. Additional point count surveys were carried out in the pine forest from 1982 to 1985, resulting in a data set of 144 counts. Habitat descriptors (percentage of herbaceous and ligneous plant cover at different heights - 0-1m, 1-4m and more than 8m; vegetation type) and altitude were assessed around each point count. This dataset provides a complete picture of the breeding bird community in a typical valley of eastern Pyrenees in the early 1980s, which could be compared with future censuses to contribute to a variety of research questions, such as quantifying changes in birds between the early 1980s and now in mountain areas, understanding the effects of climate change on bird populations, examining the effects of habitat fragmentation and land-use change, and identifying priority areas for conservation and management. These data could inspire new research and contribute to our collective understanding of bird ecology in the Pyrenees.

Construction of ecological network based on habitat risks identifying by points of interest: A case study of Wuhan Metropolitan Area.

Ecological network construction plays a key role in ecological restoration, which can effectively mitigate negative effects of habitat fragmentation on biodiversity. Here, we proposed an improved analytical framework for ecological network identification. Specifically, ecological sources were identified using a three-dimension indicator system in terms of form, quality and functions of habitats. Ecological resistance surfaces were determined based on the incorporation of points of interest data that could characterize human activities into habitat risk assessment (HRA) model, while ecological corridors were extracted using circuit theory approach. With Wuhan Metropolitan Area as a case, we explored the key points and structures of ecological network. Moreover, we compared the construction method of ecological resistance surface based on points of interest and HRA model with traditional methods that determined by land use types and by traditional HRA model, to validate the proposed framework. The results showed that the ecological source area of Wuhan Metropolitan Area was 15200 km2, the length of ecological corridor was 1956.68 km, and that there were 87 ecological "pinch points" and 67 ecological barrier points. Compared with traditional methods, the material circulation, network complexity, and ecological connectivity of the ecological network identified by the improved framework were significantly improved, with network closure, dot-line ratio, and network connectivity being increased by 61.5%, 28.1% and 28.7% on average. The identified ecological "pinch points" and barrier points could provide precise decision-making support for ecological restoration and conservation.

The Effect of Habitat on Insect Movements: Experimental Evidence from Wild-Caught Butterflies.

There is broad evidence that the main driver of the ongoing biodiversity crisis is land-use change, which reduces and fragments habitats. The consequence of habitat fragmentation on behavioural responses of fitness-related traits in insects have been so far understudied. In herbivorous insects, oviposition-related behaviours determine access to larval food, and the fate of the next generation. We present a pilot study to assess differences in behaviours related to movement and oviposition in Limenitis camilla butterflies from Wallonia (Belgium), one of the most fragmented regions in Europe. We first quantified variation in functional habitat connectivity across Wallonia and found that fragmented habitats had more abundant, but less evenly distributed host plants of L. camilla. Secondly, we quantified the behaviours of field-caught L. camilla females originating from habitats with contrasted landscape connectivity in an outdoor experimental setting. We found differences in behaviours related to flight investment: butterflies from fragmented woodlands spent more time in departing flight, which we associated with dispersal, than butterflies from homogenous woodlands. Although results from this study should be interpreted with caution given the limited sample size, they provide valuable insights for the advancement of behavioural research that aims to assess the effects of global changes on insects.

Habitat area and edges affect the length of trophic chains in a fragmented forest.

The food chain length represents how much energy reaches different trophic levels in food webs. Environmental changes derived from human activities have the potential to affect chain length. We explore how habitat area and edges affect chain length through: (1) a bottom-up effect of abundance ('pyramid hypothesis'); (2) the truncation of the highest trophic level ('trophic-rank hypothesis'); and (3) changes in species connectivity patterns ('connectivity hypothesis'). We built plant-leaf miner-parasitoid food webs in 19 remnants of a fragmented Chaco forest from central Argentina. On each remnant, we constructed food webs from different locations at the forest interior and edges. For each food web, we registered the abundance of species, the species richness of each trophic level, estimated the connectivity of their networks, and the average food chain length. We used structural equation models to evaluate the direct and indirect effects of habitat area and edge/interior location on food chain length mediated by species richness, abundance and connectivity. We found no direct effects of habitat area on chain length but chains were longer at forest edges than at their interior. The three mechanisms were supported by our results, although they showed different strengths. First, we found that the interior favours a bottom-up abundance effect from herbivores to parasitoids that positively affected chain length; second, we found that the forest area positively affects plant richness, which has a strong effect on the number of resources used by consumers, with a positive effect on chain length. Third, the remnant area and interior position favoured plant richness with a negative effect on the abundance of parasitoids, which had a positive effect on chain length. In general, the strongest effects on chain length were detected through changes in abundance rather than species richness although abundance was less affected by habitat fragmentation. We evaluated for the first time the effects of human-driven habitat fragmentation on the length of trophic chains in highly diverse plant-herbivore-parasitoid networks. Despite the loss of species, small habitat fragments and edges embedded in the agricultural matrix can support interaction networks, making them conservation targets in managed landscapes.

Mesohabitat and macroecological correlates for blue sucker (Cycleptus elongatus) occurrence in regulated rivers

AbstractBlue sucker (Cycleptus elongatus) populations occur in the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico drainages of North America and are negatively affected by habitat fragmentation and flow regime alteration caused by dams. During fish assemblage surveys in August of 2022, we collected five juvenile blue suckers (312–428 mm total length) in the Angelina River upstream of Sam Rayburn Reservoir in East Texas (46,335 ha surface area) where the occurrence of the species was previously unconfirmed. Given this unexpected finding, we (1) analyzed mesohabitat associations to compare habitats we sampled with reports in the literature and (2) reviewed blue sucker occurrences in state, national, and global databases across historical (1950–1980) and contemporary (1981–2022) time periods to assess occurrence across gradients of habitat fragmentation and streamflow regulation. The blue sucker population in the Angelina River upstream of Sam Rayburn Reservoir was previously unconfirmed but is within the native range. Mesohabitats occupied by blue suckers were consistent with literature reports, including fast velocity, shallow depth, and coarse substrates. The low degree of regulation (19% of natural runoff stored by upstream reservoirs) and a high degree of habitat connectivity (287 rkm of unfragmented mainstem habitat) for the Angelina River upstream of Sam Rayburn Reservoir matched range‐wide patterns of persistence within relatively intact (unfragmented and unregulated) or remnant (fragmented but unregulated) riverscapes. Our review reveals that blue sucker populations might persist (1) in remnant river fragments where local habitat conditions are appropriate and (2) where effects of habitat fragmentation and flow regulation are not coupled.

OPTIMIZED ECOLOGICAL NETWORK APPROACH OF HIGHLY URBANIZED CITIES: THE CASE OF ADANA CITY

Abstract. One of the most significant challenges in urban areas, where the process of rapid urban expansion takes place, is the loss of agricultural lands and natural habitats. The conversion of these areas into residential and commercial zones leads to a decline in urban biodiversity and the progressive loss of vital habitat areas. Analyzing habitat connectivity and conducting landscape measurements provide valuable insights for the development of land use and management strategies, enhancing our understanding of the spatial structure of the landscape, and directing conservation efforts. Incorporating measures such as green corridors and landscape connection networks into urban planning management becomes crucial in order to mitigate the adverse effects of habitat fragmentation and enhance ecosystem resilience within cities. Remote sensing techniques offer opportunities to create habitat connectivity models that enable the quantitative and qualitative identification of fragmented habitat patches. These models serve as tools to evaluate the effectiveness of conservation measures and monitor the potential impacts of future land use changes on habitat networks. Within this context, an optimized approach to habitat connectivity is presented, aiming to contribute to landscape planning and ecological-based studies in a city with undergoing rapid urbanization like Adana. By identifying degraded areas and introducing new habitat patches, a significant improvement in the connectivity of the habitat network has been observed. The findings indicated that the addition of new habitat patches to degraded areas can substantially enhance the city's overall habitat connectivity.

The joint effects of forest habitat area and fragmentation on dung beetles.

Habitat loss and habitat fragmentation usually occur together, at the same time and place. However, while there is a consensus that habitat loss is the preeminent threat to biodiversity, the effects of fragmentation are contentious. Some argue that habitat fragmentation is not bad for biodiversity, and even that it is good. Generally, the studies that find no harm or positive outcomes of fragmentation invariably assume that it is independent of habitat loss. However, dissociating the effects of habitat fragmentation from habitat loss is questionable because the two are essentially coupled. Accordingly, we evaluated how forest area and fragmentation (via edge effects) influenced dung beetles per se, and through their effects on the abundance of mammals, using structural equation modeling (SEM). Dung beetles are very sensitive to forest habitat loss and fragmentation and to changes in the abundance of mammals on which they depend for dung. Our study area was in the Tana River, Kenya, where forest fragments are depauperated of mammals except for two endemic species of monkeys. We mapped 12 forests, counted the resident monkeys, and sampled 113,955 beetles from 288 plots. Most of the 87 species of beetles found were small tunnellers. After implementing a fully latent Structural Regression SEM, the optimal model explained a significant 26% of the variance in abundance, and 89% of diversity. The main drivers of beetle abundance were positive, direct, effects of forest area and number of monkeys, and negative edge effects. The main drivers of diversity were the direct effects of the beetle abundance, indirect effects of forest area and abundance of mammals, and indirect negative edge effects. Thus, forest area, fragmentation (via edge effects), and the number of monkeys jointly influenced the abundance and diversity of the beetles directly and indirectly.

Population genetic structure of Iris pumila L. in Ukraine: effects of habitat fragmentation

Population genetic structure of Iris pumila L. in Ukraine: effects of habitat fragmentation

Effects of landscape features on the structure and function of bird seed dispersal networks in fragmented forests

Forest fragmentation has resulted in reduced natural habitats and alterations in landscape structure. Although the effects of landscape features on the structure of seed dispersal networks are well known, the effects on functional consequences of these networks remain unclear. In this study, we compared the structures of seed dispersal networks of three fragmented habitats (high-, medium-, and low-fragmented habitats). We used an integrative index (seed dispersal potential, SDP) to evaluate the network functions of the three habitats. We also studied how the structure and function of seed dispersal networks respond to different landscape features. Approximately 23, 26, and 22 bird species were recorded foraging for 9, 25, and 22 plant species, resulting in 315, 665, and 546 foraging events in high-, medium-, and low-fragmentation habitats, respectively. The structure and function of seed dispersal networks of the three fragmented habitats significantly differ. For instance, the network in a highly fragmented habitat exhibits high connectance and nestedness, whereas the network in a low-fragmentation habitat exhibits high modularity and specialization. Furthermore, the network function (the SDP value for frugivorous species) varies for each habitat. Frugivorous species exhibit a lower seed dispersal potential in highly fragmented habitats, as indicated by their low total SDP values. Most importantly, the structure and function of the seed dispersal network are differently affected by landscape variables. Increasing habitat fragmentation leads to a reduction in the structure of seed dispersal networks. However, medium levels of fragmentation can enhance the network function. Overall, our study highlights the importance of considering both structural and functional aspects of mutualistic networks to understand the landscape effects of habitat fragmentation. The SDP index provides a comprehensive approach to study the functions of mutualistic networks and is a useful tool for future forest management.

The effects of habitat loss and fragmentation on the relative abundance and conservation of Ludwig’s Bustard Neotis ludwigii in South Africa

Ludwig’s Bustard Neotis ludwigii is near-endemic to the semi-arid shrublands of southwestern southern Africa and is listed as Endangered. The primary threat to this species is collisions with overhead powerlines; however, loss and fragmentation of its habitat may contribute to its population decline. The 1990 and 2020 land-use land-cover (LULC) maps prepared for South Africa were used to determine the LULC categories that best describe suitable habitat for Ludwig’s Bustard using beta regressions and data on exact localities, as recorded in the real-time BirdLasser logging app. Optimized Hot Spot Analysis was used to determine the priority areas for conserving Ludwig’s Bustard and its habitat. Beta regression models were compiled using the reporting rate for this bird and the total surface area of suitable habitat, and three other landscape metrics, calculated using the per pentad LULC categories considered suitable habitat for the bird. These analyses revealed that, between the first and second Southern African Bird Atlas Projects, the distribution range of Ludwig’s Bustard increased by 153 quarter-degree grid cells, whereas the reporting rate for the species declined by 5.6%, along with a small net decline in its quarterdegree-grid-cell-based area of occupancy, its pentad-based area of occupancy and habitat. The habitat of Ludwig’s Bustard is dominated by shrubland with limited grassland, in primarily the Nama Karoo and Succulent Karoo biomes, and the Grassy Karoo Biome in the eastern part of its distribution. In the relative abundance hot spot of Ludwig’s Bustard, there does not currently appear to be any significant loss or fragmentation (distance between patches) of its habitat. A landscape-based approach to conserving Ludwig’s Bustard can be achieved by expanding the current network of protected areas and conserving critical biodiversity areas and ecosystem support areas, especially in the bird’s relative abundance hot spots in the Nama Karoo and Succulent Karoo biomes.

Negative effects of the spatial clumping of thermal resources on lizard thermoregulation in a fragmented habitat

In ecosystems threatened by the expansion of croplands, habitat fragmentation and climate change, two of the main extinction drivers, may have thermoregulation-mediated interacting effects on demographic trends of terrestrial ectotherms. We studied the thermal biology of a metapopulation of the widespread Mediterranean lacertid Psammodromus algirus in ten fragments of evergreen or deciduous oak forests interspersed among cereal fields. We obtained thermoregulation statistics (selected temperature range, body and operative temperatures, thermal quality of the habitat, and precision, accuracy, and effectiveness of thermoregulation) that could be compared among fragments and with conspecific populations living in unfragmented habitat. We also measured the selection (use vs. availability) and spatial distribution of sunlit and shaded patches used for behavioral thermoregulation in fragments, and we estimated operative temperatures and thermal habitat quality in the agricultural matrix surrounding the fragments. Variation of the thermal environment was much larger within fragments than among them, and thermoregulation was accurate, precise, and efficient throughout the fragmented landscape; its effectiveness was similar to that of previously studied unfragmented populations. The average distance between sunlit and shaded patches was shorter in deciduous than in evergreen fragments, producing a more clumped distribution of the mosaic of thermal resources. Consequently, in evergreen habitat the cost of thermoregulation was higher, because lizards were more selective in their choice of sunlit sites (i.e. they used sunlit patches closer to shade and refuge than expected at random, and the extent of such selection was larger than at deciduous habitat). Temperatures available in croplands were too high to allow lizard dispersal, at least in the post-breeding season. This result confirms the role of croplands as a thermal barrier that promotes inbreeding and associated fitness losses in isolated fragments, and it forecasts a dark future for populations of forest lizards in agricultural landscapes under the combined effects of habitat fragmentation and global warming.