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1.
We examine the influence of both local habitat and landscape variables on avian species abundance at forested study sites situated within fragmented and contiguous landscapes. The study was conducted over a six year period (1991–1996) at 10 study sites equally divided between the heavily forested Missouri Ozarks and forest fragments in central Missouri. We found greater species richness and diversity in the fragments, but there was a higher percentage of Neotropical migrants in the Ozarks. We found significant differences in the mean number of birds detected between the central Missouri fragments and the unfragmented Ozarks for 15 (63%) of 24 focal species. We used stepwise regression to determine which of 12 local vegetation variables and 4 landscape variables (forest cover, core area, edge density, and mean patch size) accounted for the greatest amount of variation in abundance for 24 bird species. Seven species (29%) were most sensitive to local vegetation variables, while 16 species (67%) responded most strongly to one of four landscape variables. Landscape variables are significant predictors of abundance for many bird species; resource managers should consider multiple measures of landscape sensitivity when making bird population management decisions.Order of first two authors decided by coin toss 相似文献
2.
With expansion of urban areas worldwide, migrating songbirds increasingly encounter fragmented landscapes where habitat patches
are embedded in an urban matrix, yet how migrating birds respond to urbanization is poorly understood. Our research evaluated
the relative importance of patch-level effects and body condition to movement behaviour of songbirds during migratory stopover
within an urban landscape. We experimentally relocated 91 migrant Swainson’s thrushes ( Catharus ustulatus) fitted with 0.66 g radio-transmitters to seven forest patches that differed in area (0.7–38.4 ha) and degree of urbanization
within central Ohio, USA, May 2004–2007. Fine-scale movement rate of thrushes ( n = 55) did not differ among urban forest sites, but birds in low energetic condition moved at higher rates, indicating an
energetically mediated influence on movement behaviour. In larger sites, Swainson’s thrushes ( n = 59) had greater coarse-level movement during the first 3 days and utilized areas farther from forest edge, indicating stronger
influence by patch-level factors. Thrushes exhibited strong site tenacity, with only five individuals (7%) leaving release
patches prior to migratory departure. Movement outside the release patch only occurred at the smallest forest patches (0.7
and 4.5 ha), suggesting that these sites were too small to meet needs of some individuals. Swainson’s thrushes exhibited edge
avoidance and apparent area sensitivity within urban forest patches during stopover, implying that conservation of larger
patches within urban and other fragmented landscapes may benefit this species and other migrant forest birds. 相似文献
3.
We studied habitat selection and breeding success in marked populations of a protected seabird (family Alcidae), the marbled
murrelet ( Brachyramphus marmoratus), in a relatively intact and a heavily logged old-growth forest landscape in south-western Canada. Murrelets used old-growth
fragments either proportionately to their size frequency distribution (intact) or they tended to nest in disproportionately
smaller fragments (logged). Multiple regression modelling showed that murrelet distribution could be explained by proximity
of nests to landscape features producing biotic and abiotic edge effects. Streams, steeper slopes and lower elevations were
selected in both landscapes, probably due to good nesting habitat conditions and easier access to nest sites. In the logged
landscape, the murrelets nested closer to recent clearcuts than would be expected. Proximity to the ocean was favoured in
the intact area. The models of habitat selection had satisfactory discriminatory ability in both landscapes. Breeding success
(probability of nest survival to the middle of the chick rearing period), inferred from nest attendance patterns by radio-tagged
parents, was modelled in the logged landscape. Survivorship was greater in areas with recent clearcuts and lower in areas
with much regrowth, i.e. it was positively correlated with recent habitat fragmentation. We conclude that marbled murrelets
can successfully breed in old-growth forests fragmented by logging. 相似文献
4.
Forest loss has been invoked as a cause for changes in the reproductive success of animal-pollinated woodland plants, associated
with changes in their pollinators. To analyze such effects, it is important to include all of the three key players: landscapes,
pollinators and a plant. We investigated effects of forest loss on an insect-pollinated plant through landscapes in forested
ecosystems to pollinator communities and plant populations. Then we questioned if abundance and species richness in pollinator
communities decrease as forest loss increases, and this in turn leads to a decrease in reproductive output of an insect-pollinated
plant. We made a study with 12 populations of the bee pollinated herb, Erythronium americanum, in a landscape characterized by scattered fragments of deciduous forest within intensively managed agricultural fields.
We also sampled bees as the potential pollinators by pan traps. We quantified the study landscapes using the amount of forest
cover and the length of forest edge within each of the six radii (250, 500, 750, 1,000, 1,250 and 1,500 m). Regression analyses
showed that the abundance and species richness of all collected bees were positively related to only the forest cover at the
radius of 750 m. We also found the positive relationships for the seed set of E. americanum when the forest cover at the same radius and abundance of all collected bees were used as the predictor variables. These
results indicate that forest loss causes negative impacts on potential pollinator communities and seed sets of some woodland
herbs. 相似文献
5.
Matrix quality affects probability of persistence in habitat patches in landscape simulation models while empirical studies
show that both urban and agricultural land uses affect forest birds. However, due to the fact that forest bird abundance and
species richness can be strongly influenced by local habitat factors, it is difficult to analyze matrix effects without confounding
effects from such factors. Given this, our objectives were to (1) relate human-dominated land uses to forest bird abundance
and species richness without confounding effects from other factors; (2) determine the scale at which forest birds respond
to the matrix; and (3) identify whether certain bird migratory strategies or habitat associations vary in richness or abundance
as a function of urban and agriculture land uses. Birds were surveyed at a single point count site 100 m from the edge of
23 deciduous forest patches near Ottawa, Ontario. Land uses surrounding each patch were measured within increasingly large
circles from 200 to 5000 m radius around the bird survey site. Regression results suggest that effects of urban and agricultural
land uses on forest birds (1) are not uniformly positive or negative, (2) can occur at different spatial scales, and (3) differentially
affect certain groups of species. In general, agriculture appeared to affect species at a broad spatial scale (within 5 km),
while urban land use had an impact at both a narrower spatial scale (within 1.8 km) and at the broad scale. Neotropical and
short distance migrant birds seemed to be the most sensitive to land use intensification within the matrix. Limiting urban
land use within approximately 200–1800 m of forest patches would be beneficial for Neotropical migrant birds, which are species
of growing conservation concern in temperate North America. 相似文献
6.
Few relevant data are available to analyze how landscape features affect the abundance and movement patterns of tropical insects.
We used mark-release-recapture techniques to study the effects of landscape structure and composition on habitat preferences
and movements of Canthon cyanellus cyanellus individuals, within a complex tropical deciduous forest landscape in South Mexico during 2004 and 2005. In total, 2,460 individuals
of C. c. cyanellus were captured, including 1,225 females and 1,235 males, out of which 124 individuals (65 females and 59 males) were recaptured
once, and 9 individuals (seven females and two males) were recaptured twice. The abundance of individuals was equally high
in large forest fragments, small forest fragments and hedgerows, but the abundance in pastures was less than half of the abundance
in the other habitat types. To disentangle the movement behaviour of the species from the spatially and temporally varying
sampling effort, we applied a Bayesian state-space modelling framework with a diffusion based movement model. Males showed
generally faster movement rate than females, and they moved faster within forests and hedgerows than within pastures. Contrary
to the assumption of the diffusion model, individuals did not move in a continuous fashion, indicated by the large fraction
of individuals that were recaptured in the site of release. However, the posterior predictive data did not deviate substantially
from the real data in terms of the mean and maximum movement distances recorded, and in terms of the dependence of movement
distance on time between captures. Our results suggest that an important component of the biota in Mexican agro-pasture landscapes
can utilize contemporary landscape elements such as hedgerows or small forest fragments in addition to large fragments of
remnant habitat. These habitats are still locally common in semi-natural ecosystems and require less intensive conservation
management. 相似文献
7.
Urban development occupies over 375,000 ha (6%) of California's Central Valley, and expansion continues to displace natural and agricultural landscapes. The value of urban areas as habitat for native wildlife and the characteristics that determine its value, however, remain little studied. Many Neotropical migrant passerine bird species are declining due to changes in breeding, migratory, and wintering habitats and climatic conditions. During 2010–2013, we evaluated the importance of native valley oak ( Quercus lobata) as stopover foraging habitat used by Neotropical migrant birds in urban areas of the Sacramento region in California, USA. Over 3 years, we surveyed spring and late summer-early fall migrant songbirds and measured tree canopy cover within 31 c.0.91 ha transects in Curtis Park, an older residential neighborhood. We detected 607 individuals from 20 migrant species, but four wood warblers comprised the bulk of observations: black-throated gray ( Setophaga nigrescens), Wilson's ( Cardellina pusilla), orange-crowned ( Oreothlypis celata), and yellow warblers ( Setophaga petechia). Migrant abundance was closely correlated with valley oak canopy abundance and increased linearly with oak canopy especially during fall migration. Migrants were nearly absent from areas lacking oak canopy. Migrant bird species as a group also foraged in valley oak substantially more often (74%) than would be expected based on its 15% relative canopy cover (χ 21d.f. = 924, p < 0.0001), as did all species whose selectivity could be tested. These results are important in demonstrating previously undocumented migrant use of urban areas with remnant valley oak canopy and suggest that protecting existing valley oaks and increasing their use in future urban forestry and landscape plantings in the Central Valley could provide substantial habitat benefits for native migratory birds. 相似文献
8.
Forest bird species exhibit noticeable seasonal behavioral changes that might lead to contrasting effects of landscape pattern
upon species abundance and performance. We assessed if the effect of patch and habitat attributes on the landscape use of
thorn-tailed rayaditos ( Aphrastura spinicauda), a forest bird in a relict patchy forest in northern Chile, varied temporally in association with changes in the behavior
of individuals linked to breeding vs. non-breeding conditions. We also assessed the relationship between nest success and
patch and habitat attributes, as nest success might be associated to the density rayaditos during the breeding season. We
found that density of rayaditos was affected by patch size and functional connectivity but not by habitat structure and that
the magnitude of the effect of patch size was greater during the non-breeding season, thus supporting the existence of a temporally
variable effect of landscape pattern. Similarly, the nest success of rayaditos was positively affected by functional connectivity
and negatively by structural connectivity. We hypothesize that these results emerged from the interaction among territorial
behavior, resource limitation and predation risk. Despite the variable intensity of the effect of patch size upon density,
however, this landscape attribute, in addition to connectivity, is essential for the persistence of rayaditos at this relict
patchy forest landscapes. 相似文献
9.
Habitat fragmentation is expected to disrupt dispersal, and thus we explored how patch metrics of landscape structure, such as percolation thresholds used to define landscape connectivity, corresponded with dispersal success on neutral landscapes. We simulated dispersal as either a purely random process (random direction and random step lengths) or as an area-limited random walk (random direction, but movement limited to an adjacent cell at each dispersal step) and quantified dispersal success for 1000 individuals on random and fractal landscape maps across a range of habitat abundance and fragmentation. Dispersal success increased with the number of cells a disperser could search (m), but poor dispersers (m<5) searching via area-limited dispersal on fractal landscapes were more successful at locating suitable habitat than random dispersers on either random or fractal landscapes. Dispersal success was enhanced on fractal landscapes relative to random ones because of the greater spatial contagion of habitat. Dispersal success decreased proportionate to habitat loss for poor dispersers (m=1) on random landscapes, but exhibited an abrupt threshold at low levels of habitat abundance (p<0.1) for area-limited dispersers (m<10) on fractal landscapes. Conventional metrics of patch structure, including percolation, did not exhibit threshold behavior in the region of the dispersal threshold. A lacunarity analysis of the gap structure of landscape patterns, however, revealed a strong threshold in the variability of gap sizes at low levels of habitat abundance (p<0.1) in fractal landscapes, the same region in which abrupt declines in dispersal success were observed. The interpatch distances or gaps across which dispersers must move in search of suitable habitat should influence dispersal success, and our results suggest that there is a critical gap-size structure to fractal landscapes that interferes with the ability of dispersers to locate suitable habitat when habitat is rare. We suggest that the gap structure of landscapes is a more important determinant of dispersal than patch structure, although both are ultimately required to predict the ecological consequences of habitat fragmentation. 相似文献
10.
Dead wood is a critical resource for biodiversity in boreal forests. We analysed the persistence of five model species inhabiting
dead wood. By parameterising a metapopulation model (the incidence function model), the model species were all assigned characteristics
that makes it likely that they have disappeared from some (20%) forest landscapes with a long history of forest management.
In the metapopulation model, a forest stand (5 ha) was regarded as a habitat patch. The amount of habitat in each patch was
obtained from models of dead wood dynamics of Norway spruce in central Sweden. Dead wood generated by altered management over
the entire landscape was found to be less efficient in reducing extinction risks in comparison to the same amount of dead
wood generated by protecting reserves. Because generation of dead wood by altered management is often less expensive than
setting aside reserves, it is difficult to determine which conservation measure is most cost-efficient. In a landscape subjected
to forestry for the first time, it was better to preserve a few large reserves than many small ones. However, in a managed,
highly fragmented forest landscape it was better to set aside many small reserves. The reason for this was that small plots
with high habitat quality could be selected, while large reserves originally contained habitats both of high and low quality,
and the rate of habitat quality increase was low. A strategy for biodiversity conservation in a managed forest landscape should
include information about the history of the landscape, the current amount and spatial distribution of forest habitats, and
the potential for rapid restoration of forest habitats, both on managed and unmanaged forest land. 相似文献
11.
Even among forest specialists, species-specific responses to anthropogenic forest fragmentation may vary considerably. Some
appear to be confined to forest interiors, and perceive a fragmented landscape as a mosaic of suitable fragments and hostile
matrix. Others, however, are able to make use of matrix habitats and perceive the landscape in shades of grey rather than
black-and-white. We analysed data of 42 Chiroxiphia caudata (Blue Manakin), 10 Pyriglena leucoptera (White-shouldered Fire-eye) and 19 Sclerurus scansor (Rufous-breasted Leaftosser) radio-tracked in the Atlantic Rainforest of Brazil between 2003 and 2005. We illustrate how
habitat preferences may determine how species respond to or perceive the landscape structure. We compared available with used
habitat to develop a species-specific preference index for each of six habitat classes. All three species preferred old forest,
but relative use of other classes differed significantly. S. scansor perceived great contrast between old forest and matrix, whereas the other two species perceived greater habitat continuity.
For conservation planning, our study offers three important messages: (1) some forest specialist species are able to persist
in highly fragmented landscapes; (2) some forest species may be able to make use of different anthropogenic habitat types
to various degrees; whereas (3) others are restricted to the remaining forest fragments. Our study suggests species most confined
to forest interiors to be considered as potential umbrella species for landscape-scale conservation planning. 相似文献
12.
Analyzing the population dynamic consequences of spatio-temporal changes in landscape structure is a formidable challenge for spatial ecology. One key population dynamic process in fragmented landscapes is the influence of isolation on colonization rate and thereby on the occurrence of species in habitat fragments, but it is not obvious how isolation should be measured in landscapes that are affected by on-going habitat loss and fragmentation. We suggest the following procedure for the measurement of spatio-temporal isolation. First, a historical record of habitat loss and fragmentation in the landscape is prepared based on snapshots of the extent of the suitable habitat for the focal species. Second, a metapopulation model is used to simulate the occurrence of the species in this landscape, assuming the empirically observed landscape change. The model-predicted pattern of habitat occupancy at a particular point in time (usually the present time) is then compared with empirical observations on the occurrence of the species. We describe a metapopulation model that has been constructed for this purpose, and we apply it to a changing landscape of boreal forests in eastern Finland. We give an example on the occurrence of four threatened polyporous fungi in 18 small fragments of old-growth forest. In none of the species does the current isolation of the fragments nor the time since their isolation explain the occurrence of the species in the study fragments, but in three species the model-predicted occupancy probability had a significant effect on the observed abundance of the species. The model-predicted occupancy probabilities were also calculated by ignoring past landscape changes, that is, by assuming that the landscape had remained in the present configuration for a long time. These probabilities had a significant effect on the abundance of only one of the four species, suggesting that the occurrence of the species tracks landscapes changes with a noticable time lag.This revised version was published online in May 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date. 相似文献
13.
Habitat for wide-ranging species should be addressed at multiple scales to fully understand factors that limit populations.
The marbled murrelet ( Brachyramphus marmoratus), a threatened seabird, forages on the ocean and nests inland in large trees. We developed statistical relationships between
murrelet use (occupancy and abundance) and habitat variables quantified across many spatial scales (statewide to local) and
two time periods in California and southern Oregon, USA. We also addressed (1) if old-growth forest fragmentation was negatively
associated with murrelet use, and (2) if some nesting areas are more important than others due to their proximity to high
quality marine habitat. Most landscapes used for nesting were restricted to low elevation areas with frequent fog. Birds were
most abundant in unfragmented old-growth forests located within a matrix of mature second-growth forest. Murrelets were less
likely to occupy old-growth habitat if it was isolated (> 5 km) from other nesting murrelets. We found a time lag in response
to fragmentation, where at least a few years were required before birds abandoned fragmented forests. Compared to landscapes
with little tono murrelet use, landscapes with many murrelets were closer to the ocean's bays, river mouths, sandy shores,
submarine canyons, and marine waters with consistently high primary productivity. Within local landscapes (≤ 800ha), inland
factors limited bird abundance, but at the broadest landscape scale studied (3200 ha), proximity to marine habitat was most
limiting. Management should focus on protecting or creating large, contiguous old-growth forest stands, especially in low-elevation
areas near productive marine habitat.
This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. 相似文献
14.
Acknowledgment that the matrix matters in conserving wildlife in human-modified landscapes is increasing. However, the complex
interactions of habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, habitat condition and land use have confounded attempts to disentangle
the relative importance of properties of the landscape mosaic, including the matrix. To this end, we controlled for the amount
of remnant forest habitat and the level of fragmentation to examine mammal species richness in human-modified landscapes of
varying levels of matrix development intensity and patch attributes. We postulated seven alternative models of various patch
habitat, landscape and matrix influences on mammal species richness and then tested these models using generalized linear
mixed-effects models within an information theoretic framework. Matrix attributes were the most important determinants of
terrestrial mammal species richness; matrix development intensity had a strong negative effect and vegetation structural complexity
of the matrix had a strong positive effect. Distance to the nearest remnant forest habitat was relatively unimportant. Matrix
habitat attributes are potentially a more important indicator of isolation of remnant forest patches than measures of distance
to the nearest patch. We conclude that a structurally complex matrix within a human-modified landscape can provide supplementary
habitat resources and increase the probability of movement across the landscape, thereby increasing mammal species richness
in modified landscapes. 相似文献
15.
Anthropogenic habitat loss and fragmentation are the principle factors causing declines of grassland birds. Declines in burrowing
owl ( Athene cunicularia) populations have been extensive and have been linked to habitat loss, primarily the decline of black-tailed prairie dog
( Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies. Development of habitat use models is a research priority and will aid conservation of owls inhabiting human-altered
landscapes. From 2001 to 2004 we located 160 burrowing owl nests on prairie dog colonies on the Little Missouri National Grassland
in North Dakota. We used multiple linear regression and Akaike’s Information Criterion to estimate the relationship between
cover type characteristics surrounding prairie dog colonies and (1) number of owl pairs per colony and (2) reproductive success.
Models were developed for two spatial scales, within 600 m and 2,000 m radii of nests for cropland, crested wheatgrass ( Agropyron cristatum), grassland, and prairie dog colonies. We also included number of patches as a metric of landscape fragmentation. Annually,
fewer than 30% of prairie dog colonies were occupied by owls. None of the models at the 600 m scale explained variation in
number of owl pairs or reproductive success. However, models at the 2,000 m scale did explain number of owl pairs and reproductive
success. Models included cropland, crested wheatgrass, and prairie dog colonies. Grasslands were not included in any of the
models and had low importance values, although percentage grassland surrounding colonies was high. Management that protects
prairie dog colonies bordering cropland and crested wheatgrass should be implemented to maintain nesting habitat of burrowing
owls. 相似文献
16.
Landscape composition and configuration, often termed as habitat loss and fragmentation, are predicted to reduce species population
viability, partly due to the restriction of movement in the landscape. Unfortunately, measuring the effects of habitat loss
and fragmentation on functional connectivity is challenging because these variables are confounded, and often the motivation
for movement by target species is unknown. Our objective was to determine the independent effects of landscape connectivity
from the perspective of a mature forest specialist—the northern flying squirrel ( Glaucomys sabrinus). To standardize movement motivation, we translocated 119 squirrels, at varying distances (0.18–3.8 km) from their home range
across landscapes representing gradients in both habitat loss and fragmentation. We measured the physical connectedness of
mature forest using an index of connectivity (landscape coincidence probability). Patches were considered connected if they
were within the mean gliding distance of a flying squirrel. Homing success increased in landscapes with a higher connectivity
index. However, homing time was not strongly predicted by habitat amount, connectivity index, or mean nearest neighbour and
was best explained as a simple function of sex and distance translocated. Our study shows support for the independent effects
of landscape configuration on animal movement at a spatial scale that encompasses several home ranges. We conclude that connectivity
of mature forest should be considered for the conservation of some mature forest specialists, even in forest mosaics where
the distinction between habitat and movement corridors are less distinct. 相似文献
17.
ContextConservation for the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), a federally endangered species in the United States of America, is typically focused on local maternity sites; however, the species is a regional migrant, interacting with the environment at multiple spatial scales. Hierarchical levels of management may be necessary, but we have limited knowledge of landscape-level ecology, distribution, and connectivity of suitable areas in complex landscapes. ObjectivesWe sought to (1) identify factors influencing M. sodalis maternity colony distribution in a mosaic landscape, (2) map suitable maternity habitat, and (3) quantify connectivity importance of patches to direct conservation action. MethodsUsing 3 decades of occurrence data, we tested a priori, hypothesis-driven habitat suitability models. We mapped suitable areas and quantified connectivity importance of habitat patches with probabilistic habitat availability metrics. ResultsFactors improving landscape-scale suitability included limited agriculture, more forest cover, forest edge, proximity to medium-sized water bodies, lower elevations, and limited urban development. Areas closer to hibernacula and rivers were suitable. Binary maps showed that 30% of the study area was suitable for M. sodalis and 29% was important for connectivity. Most suitable patches were important for intra-patch connectivity and far fewer contributed to inter-patch connectivity. ConclusionsWhile simple models may be effective for small, homogenous landscapes, complex models are needed to explain habitat suitability in large, mixed landscapes. Suitability modeling identified factors that made sites attractive as maternity areas. Connectivity analysis improved our understanding of important areas for bats and prioritized areas to target for restoration. 相似文献
18.
ContextAs agricultural demands for land continues to expand, strategies are urgently needed to balance agricultural production with biodiversity conservation and ecosystem service provision in agricultural landscapes. ObjectivesWe used a factorial landscape design to assess the relative contributions of forest proximity and local forest cover to bee diversity and the provision of coffee pollination services. MethodsWe quantified bee diversity and fruit set in 24 sun-grown coffee fields in Southeast Region of Brazil that were selected following a factorial sampling design to test the independent effects of local forest cover (in a radius of 400 m) and proximity to forest fragments. To assess the impact of landscape simplification, we also evaluated local coffee cover. ResultsBee richness and abundance were higher in the proximity of forest fragments, but only bee abundance decreased when the coffee cover dominated the surrounding landscapes. Coffee fruit set was 16% higher overall with bee visitations compared with bee exclusion and increased to 20% when coffee bushes were near forest fragments, and the coffee cover was low. Surprisingly, local forest cover did not affect the bee community or coffee fruit set. ConclusionOur results provide clear evidence that the proximity of coffee crops to forest fragments can affect the abundance and richness of bees visiting the coffee flowers and thereby facilitate the provision of pollination services. The positive association between forest proximity and fruit set reinforces the importance of natural vegetation in enhancing bee diversity and, therefore, in the provision of pollination services. The negative effect of coffee cover on fruit set at the local scale suggests that the service demand can surpass the capacity of pollinators to provide it. These effects were independent of the local forest cover, although all studied landscapes had more than 20% remaining forest cover (within a 2 km radius), which is considered the extinction threshold for Atlantic Forest species. Interspersion of forest fragments and coffee plantations in regions with more than 20% of forest cover left could thus be a useful landscape management target for facilitating pollinator flows to coffee crops and thus for increasing coffee yields. 相似文献
19.
Understanding how spatial habitat patterns influence abundance and dynamics of animal populations is a primary goal in landscape
ecology. We used an information-theoretic approach to investigate the association between habitat patterns at multiple spatial
scales and demographic patterns for black-throated blue warblers ( Dendroica caerulescens) at 20 study sites in west-central Vermont, USA from 2002 to 2005. Sites were characterized by: (1) territory-scale shrub
density, (2) patch-scale shrub density occurring within 25 ha of territories, and (3) landscape-scale habitat patterns occurring
within 5 km radius extents of territories. We considered multiple population parameters including abundance, age ratios, and
annual fecundity. Territory-scale shrub density was most important for determining abundance and age ratios, but landscape-scale
habitat structure strongly influenced reproductive output. Sites with higher territory-scale shrub density had higher abundance,
and were more likely to be occupied by older, more experienced individuals compared to sites with lower shrub density. However,
annual fecundity was higher on sites located in contiguously forested landscapes where shrub density was lower than the fragmented
sites. Further, effects of habitat pattern at one spatial scale depended on habitat conditions at different scales. For example,
abundance increased with increasing territory-scale shrub density, but this effect was much stronger in fragmented landscapes
than in contiguously forested landscapes. These results suggest that habitat pattern at different spatial scales affect demographic
parameters in different ways, and that effects of habitat patterns at one spatial scale depends on habitat conditions at other
scales. 相似文献
20.
Human land-use practices have dramatically altered the composition and configuration of native habitats throughout many ecosystems.
Within heterogeneous landscapes generalist predators often thrive, causing cascading effects on local biological communities,
yet there are few data to suggest how attributes of fragmentation influence local population dynamics of these species. We
monitored 25 raccoon ( Procyon lotor) populations from 2004 to 2009 in a fragmented agricultural landscape to evaluate the influence of local and landscape habitat
attributes on spatial and temporal variation in demography. Our results indicate that agricultural ecosystems support increased
densities of raccoons relative to many other rural landscapes, but that spatial and temporal variation in demography exists
that is driven by non-agricultural habitat attributes rather than the availability of crops. At the landscape scale, both
density and population stability were positively associated with the size and contiguity of forest patches, while at the local
scale density was positively correlated with plant diversity and the density of tree cavities. In addition, populations occupying
forest patches with greater levels of plant diversity and stable water resources exhibited less temporal variability than
populations with limited plant species complexity or water availability. The proportion of populations comprised of females
was most strongly influenced by the availability of tree cavities and soft mast. Despite the abundance of mesopredators in
heterogeneous landscapes, our results indicate that all patches do not contribute equally to the regional abundance and persistence
of these species. Thus, a clear understanding of how landscape attributes contribute to variation in demography is critical
to the optimization of management strategies. 相似文献
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