黄河三角洲自然保护区土地利用格局空间优化模拟

空间优化模型能够实现多管理目标下的土地利用格局空间优化,为管理者制定保护政策提供参考。该文以黄河三角洲自然保护区为研究区域,基于保护区的多目标管理需求,设计了3种用于协调丹顶鹤生境保护和社区可持续发展的情景模式,并采用土地利用空间优化(land use pattern optimization,LUPO)模型,模拟实现了不同情景模式下的保护区土地利用格局空间优化配置。模拟结果表明:情景A通过将光滩和芦苇滩等转为丹顶鹤喜好的翅碱蓬滩涂和柽柳-翅碱蓬滩涂,实现使丹顶鹤适宜生境面积增加30%的生态效益目标,但年经济收益增幅仅为11%;情景B通过将农田、芦苇滩和光滩等转为年经济效益更高的虾池,使区域年经济效益增长54%,但丹顶鹤适宜生境面积变化较小,生境更为破碎化;情景C通过将光滩等转为翅碱蓬滩涂,将农田等转为虾池,分别使丹顶鹤适宜生境面积增加24%和区域年经济效益增长41.3%,是一种双赢方案。研究结果表明,该模型可用于保护区土地利用格局空间优化,协调物种保护和经济发展之间的平衡关系,但需对模型结构和参数进一步优化设计。     

Landscape context mediates influence of local food abundance on wetland use by wintering shorebirds in an agricultural valley

While it is widely understood that local abundance of benthic invertebrates can greatly influence the distribution and abundance of wetland birds, no studies have examined if wetland landscape context can mediate this relationship. We studied the influence of wetland food abundance and landscape context on use of agricultural wetlands by wintering dunlin (Calidris alpina) and killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, USA, over two winters (1999-2000, 2000-2001) of differing rainfall and subsequent habitat distribution. We monitored bird use (frequency of occurrence and abundance) at a sample of wetlands differing in local food abundance (density and biomass) and landscape context [adjacent shorebird habitat (defined as ha of wet habitat with less than 50% vegetative cover and within a 2-km radius) and nearest neighbor distance]. We evaluated predictive models for bird use using linear regression and the Cp criterion to select the most parsimonious model. During the dry winter (2000-2001), dunlin exhibited greater use of sites with higher invertebrate density and biomass but also with more adjacent shorebird habitat and closest to a wetland neighbor. However, neither landscape context nor food abundance were important predictors of dunlin use during the wet winter (1999-2000). Use of sites by killdeer was unrelated to either local food abundance or landscape context measures during both winters. Our findings contribute to a growing recognition of the importance of landscape structure to wetland birds and highlight a number of implications for the spatial planning and enhancement of wetlands using a landscape approach.     

Nest site restoration increases the breeding density of blue-tailed bee-eaters

For birds that excavate their own nest burrows, the availability of suitable nest sites and substrates may influence the number and density of breeding birds. However, few studies of burrow-nesting birds have experimentally manipulated nest site or substrate availability. The blue-tailed bee-eater (Merops philippinus) is a colony breeding, summer migrant that excavates nest burrows in sandy banks on Kinmen Island, 5 km east of mainland China. To test whether substrate availability influenced the density or reproductive success of breeding pairs of bee-eaters, we removed all vegetation and old nest holes on treated slopes and left control slopes unmanipulated in 2003 and 2004. Plant cover on control slopes was 37.7% (11.9-67.7%). Slope gradient, soil penetration resistance and vegetation height in front of slopes did not differ between treated and control slopes in either year. Combining data from both years, the density of active nests was significantly higher (3.1-fold) on treated slopes than on control slopes. However, the reproductive performance of bee-eaters nesting on treated and control slopes did not differ in either year. Thus, removing vegetation and old nest holes from slopes with sandy loam soil improved the breeding habitat and increased the number of breeding blue-tailed bee-eaters. This technique could be used to support and manage populations of this species and other burrow-nestling species with similar habitat requirements.     

The conservation status of Townsend's shearwater Puffinus auricularis auricularis

Townsend's shearwater (Puffinus auricularis auricularis) is an endangered seabird endemic to the Revillagigedo Archipelago. It nested on Socorro, Clarion, and San Benedicto Islands. It was extirpated by the Barcena volcano on San Benedicto in 1952, and there are no recent indications of nesting. Introduced mammals—pigs and rabbits—preyed on them and destroyed habitat at Clarion; shearwaters were extirpated by 1988, and no breeding attempts have been reported since. Our results confirm that Socorro holds the last breeding grounds. We found breeding colonies above 800 m and a minimum population of 1100 individuals. This represents a significant reduction in distribution and population size. Intensive cat predation at Socorro could potentially kill ca. 350 females per season, and sheep progressively destroy nesting areas. Population projections suggest that demographic instability could occur in less than 100 years under severe predation and habitat degradation. Only low predation rates would allow population persistence for more than 150 years in spite of a declining population. Thus, the immediate eradication of all introduced mammals is necessary to prevent the extinction of this seabird.     

Introduced house mice Mus musculus: a significant predator of threatened and endemic birds on Gough Island, South Atlantic Ocean?

House mice Mus musculus have successfully colonized many temperate and sub-Antarctic islands that are the location for breeding colonies of millions of seabirds. Unlike other introduced mammals, the impact of house mice on seabirds and endemic birds is believed to have been negligible. The breeding ecology of seabirds breeding on Gough Island, central South Atlantic Ocean, was studied for the first time during September 2000 to September 2001. Breeding success of the endangered Tristan albatross Diomedea (exulans) dabbenena and endangered Atlantic Petrel Pterodroma incerta were 27.3 and 19.9% respectively. Mortality of large Tristan albatross and Atlantic petrel chicks was observed, and the pattern of wounds and observations of feeding indicate that introduced mice were responsible for this predation. Breeding numbers of the endemic Gough bunting Rowettia goughensis are mostly found in upland areas of Gough Island where mice are scarce and are restricted to inaccessible cliffs in the lowlands where mice are abundant. This pattern, together with the high predation rates of artificial-eggs in lowland habitats in comparison to the uplands, strongly suggests that mice constrain the distribution of Gough buntings. The results of this study provide the first evidence for the role of house mice as a significant predator of endangered and endemic birds. Further research is required to determine if the observed levels of mice predation are a regular occurrence.     

Protecting more than the wetland: The importance of biased sex ratios and habitat segregation for conservation of the Hine’s emerald dragonfly, Somatochlora hineana Williamson

Within species habitat use may depend on age, season or sex of an individual. The distribution of males and females may vary both temporally and spatially due to differences in the costs of reproduction and the distribution of critical resources. Conservation of a species requires knowledge of the habitat use of both sexes in order to predict the population size and protect all habitats that a species requires. Adult dragonfly populations often have highly male-biased sex ratios at the breeding habitat. This bias has been attributed to females using alternative habitats to avoid male harassment, or to high female mortality. We monitored adult Hine’s emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora hineana Williamson) populations, in breeding and non-breeding habitats in Door County, Wisconsin and found significant differences in habitat use between males and females. Males primarily used wetland habitats, while females primarily used dry meadows and marginal breeding habitats, only coming into wetlands to lay-eggs or find mates. We assessed food resources in the different habitats and found that high quality insect prey (primarily adult Diptera) were more available in the wetland habitat, indicating that these areas were likely a more productive foraging area for adult dragonflies. The fact that females appear to avoid the wetland habitat is consistent with the hypothesis that male harassment alters female distribution patterns. Consideration of the patterns of habitat use by S. hineana indicates the need to develop a broader understanding of the importance of non-wetland areas in the conservation of wetland species.     

Protected areas do not fulfil the wintering habitat needs of the trans-Saharan migratory Montagu’s harrier

Populations of migratory birds can be affected by events happening at both breeding and wintering grounds. The Sahel is a vast region holding a large number of wintering trans-Saharan migratory European birds, and current land-use changes there may represent a threat for these species. We used satellite tracking data from the migratory Montagu’s harrier to evaluate habitat use of the species during the wintering season, and whether the current network of protected areas is effective to provide their habitat needs during that season. We also developed an ecological niche model for the species in Western-Central Sahel to check if the most suitable sites are included within current protected areas. Tracked harriers occupied a large region encompassing a total of eight countries. The most preferred habitats during winter were croplands and some natural vegetation habitats, especially grasslands. Protected areas only covered a small proportion of the overall wintering grounds of tracked harriers and the most suitable areas for the species in Western-Central Sahel. Increasing the extent of preferred natural habitats within protected areas should benefit the conservation of this and probably other insect-eating raptors. However, substantial increases in extent and number of protected areas in sub-Saharan Africa are very unlike to occur. Conservation actions in the region should therefore be mostly focused on improving land use planning and management outside protected areas, specially enhancing agricultural practices to make biodiversity conservation compatible with poverty alleviation. These can be chiefly targeted at an area of <20,000 km² of very suitable habitat for these species.     

安徽省安庆市沿江沼泽湿地恢复空间分析

[目的]对安徽省安庆市沿江沼泽湿地区的沼泽湿地生态系统恢复进行空间分析,为沼泽湿地生态环境的改善提供科学依据。[方法]针对安庆市沿江沼泽湿地退化严重的现状,在分析区域功能特征的基础上,构建沼泽湿地空间恢复模型,并实现区域内沼泽湿地空间恢复,继而得到沼泽湿地优先、次优先恢复以及不可恢复级别。最后从整体景观效果和沼泽湿地功能两个恢复角度评价沼泽湿地恢复效果。[结果]安庆市沿江沼泽湿地恢复面积为5.78×104 hm2,在现有沼泽湿地面积基础上提高了35.78%。以耕地为主,占沼泽湿地恢复面积的91.43%。其中,优先恢复面积为2.92×104 hm2,主要分布于研究区的中北部地区;次优先沼泽湿地恢复面积为2.86×104 hm2。不可恢复面积为3.61×104 hm2,主要为水域、建筑用地等不可变更区域。[结论]经过恢复效果验证,从景观整体格局分析可知,沼泽湿地恢复后,研究及区域内沼泽湿地的斑块数量减少,而平均斑块密度增加,聚集度指数增加,景观多样性指数上升,说明沼泽湿地恢复实施后,景观格局更有利于朝着沼泽湿地生态功能的发挥,对维护区域生态安全具有很大的现实意义。     

Correlates of abundance and breeding success in the globally threatened Hinde's babbler (Turdoides hindei) and its congener, northern pied babbler (T. hypoleucus)

We investigated the relationship between habitat quality, abundance, group size and breeding success in the threatened Kenyan endemic Hinde's babbler (Turdoides hindei; Family Timaliidae), a co-operative breeder mainly associated with riverine thickets in cultivated areas. At two intensively cultivated sites, significantly more Hinde's babbler groups occurred in areas retaining at least 3% thicket cover, while breeding outcome improved where cover exceeded 9%. Despite previous concerns over low breeding success, the percentage of young birds present (17%, n=424 birds aged) was similar to that of a sympatric congener, the northern pied babbler (T. hypoleucus) (12%, n=162), and comparable with that of two other African congeners. Although breeding outcome was positively correlated with adult group size, there was no evidence that larger groups monopolised more favourable habitat or defended larger territories. Group density showed a positive, non-linear relationship with adjacent cover, levelling out where this exceeded 15-20%. Our findings suggest that even a modest increase in thicket cover may significantly raise the density and productivity of Hinde's babblers at these sites.     

The influence of food availability on breeding success of African penguins Spheniscus demersus at Robben Island, South Africa

From 1989 to 2004, the breeding success of African penguins Spheniscus demersus at Robben Island, South Africa was significantly related to estimates of the abundance of both their main prey species, anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus and sardine Sardinops sagax, and to the combined biomass of these species. When the combined spawner biomass of fish prey was less than 2 million ton, pairs fledged an average of 0.46 chicks annually. When it was above 2 million ton, annual breeding success had a mean value of 0.73 chicks per pair. Given previously estimated values of survival and age at first breeding, these levels of breeding success are inadequate to sustain the African penguin population. With the higher level of breeding success, an equilibrium situation might be attained if adult survival could be increased by 6-7% per annum. Attempts to reduce mortality of penguins have included the collection, cleaning and return to the wild of oiled birds, culling of Cape fur seals Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus seen preying on penguins around breeding localities and control of the spread of disease. Management of the purse-seine fishery should ensure adequate escapement of fish to maintain the combined biomass of anchovy and sardine above 2 million ton. The maintenance of suitable breeding habitat and removal of feral predators from breeding localities will also be important in improving breeding success.     

草海保护区功能分区与生态环境变化的关系研究

草海湿地是我国云贵高原岩溶湿地中的独特类型，地处金沙江上游，不仅起到调节下游水量平衡，以及调节区域气候的作用，也是高原特有鹤类——黑颈鹤的主要越冬地之一，其生态环境的变化具有重要的生态意义。通过对草海国家级自然保护区水土流失、湖盆淤积，水环境、黑颈鹤栖息生境等生态环境特征变化以及当地社区湿地资源利用状况的分析，探讨了湿地生态环境变化与现行保护区功能分区的关系，说明三级模式下的湿地生态环境管理激化了湿地资源利用与保护的矛盾，必须加强草海湿地生态结构和功能特征的研究，制定合理的保护区功能分区，切实有效地保护湿地生态环境。     

Effects of oak barrens habitat management for Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides samuelis) on the avian community

The federally endangered Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides samuelis) is the focal species for a conservation plan designed to create and maintain barrens habitats. We investigated whether habitat management for Karner blue butterflies influences avian community structure at Fort McCoy Military Installation in Wisconsin, USA. From 2007 through 2009 breeding bird point count and habitat characteristic data were collected at 186 sample points in five habitat types including two remnant barrens types, barrens habitat restored from woodland and managed specifically for the Karner blue butterfly, and two woodland habitat types. Although the bird community of managed barrens was not identical to the communities of remnant barrens, the Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla), a species of conservation concern, and sparse canopy associated bird species, such as the Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) and Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) were predicted to occupy managed barrens and remnant barrens in similar proportions. Adjacent habitat was the most influential factor in determining the community of bird species using the managed barrens. In Wisconsin, and likely throughout the range of the Karner blue butterfly, management for the butterfly creates habitat that attracts a bird community similar to that of remnant barrens, and benefits several avian species of conservation concern. Additionally, the landscape context surrounding the managed habitat influences avian community composition. Managed barrens that are adjacent to remnant barrens, rather than adjacent to woodland habitats, have the highest potential for conserving barrens breeding birds.     

Range-wide analysis of wildlife habitat: Implications for conservation

The range-wide habitat status of many endangered species is unclear. We evaluated the status and spatial distribution of the habitat of the endangered giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) across its entire geographic range (i.e., six mountain regions located in Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces, China) by integrating field and remotely sensed data to develop a habitat distribution model. Results suggest that current suitable habitat corresponds to ca. 1/4 of the habitat baseline (i.e., maximum amount of habitat possible). The highest proportion of suitable habitat relative to the baseline is in the Qinling mountain region. Overall, around 40% of the suitable habitat is inside nature reserves, but the proportion of habitat inside them varied among different mountain regions, ranging from ca. 17% (Lesser Xiangling) to ca. 66% (Qinling). The habitat model also predicted the occurrence of potentially suitable habitat outside the currently accepted geographic range of the species, which should be further evaluated as potential panda reintroduction sites. Our approach is valuable for assessing the conservation status of the entire habitat of the species, for identifying areas with significant ecological roles (e.g., corridors), for identifying areas suitable for panda reintroductions, and for establishing specific conservation strategies in different parts of the giant panda geographic range. It might also prove useful for range-wide habitat analyses of many other endangered species around the world.     

Grassland nature reserves for breeding wading birds in England and the implications for the ESA agri-environment scheme

The two principal mechanisms available to conserve breeding wading birds on lowland wet grassland in England are nature reserves and agri-environment schemes, particularly the Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) scheme. ESAs offer payments to landowners in return for maintaining (‘low tiers’) or enhancing (‘high tiers’) the landscape, biodiversity and historic value of the land. Lowland wet grassland nature reserves managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) have been successful at conserving breeding lapwings and redshank but habitat management usually only results in short-term increases in numbers of breeding snipe. Within ESAs, populations of breeding wading birds fare better on land managed under high tiers than on land managed under low tiers. Land managed under high tiers also supports more pairs of breeding wading birds per £ of ESA grant received than land managed under low tiers. Means of increasing the cost-effectiveness of the ESA scheme in conserving breeding wading birds are discussed in the light of these results.     

Wetland criteria and birds in a changing delta

An assessment of the changes in the ornithological value of the delta area in the southwestern part of The Netherlands was made, based on the criteria and standards of Szijj, by comparing data derived from bird counts made before the implementation of the delta project with those made after the closure of two estuaries and with the estimated numbers of birds for three possible future infrastructural models.It appears that all the sites examined are, and will remain, of international ornithological importance.Owing to their different environmental character each individual basin of the delta area can be considered as an internationally important wetland.As a result of the delta works, different types of habitat and management of the basins will have to be chosen so that a species of a group of species may be given priority.To justify the choice, fixed target numbers of the populations and a sound knowledge of the availability of suitable habitats is needed. A number of questions arose about the selection of sites and the possibility of conserving wetlands such as those in the delta area. Further development of the criteria and standards of Szijj and more uniform application is advocated.     

Vulnerability of ground-nesting waterbirds to predation by invasive American mink in the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve, Chile

Biological invasions constitute one of the most important threats to biodiversity. This is especially true for “naïve” birds that have evolved in the absence of terrestrial predators in island ecosystems. The American mink (Mustela vison) has recently established a feral population on Navarino Island (55°S), southern Chile, where it represents a new guild of terrestrial mammal predators. We investigated the impact of mink on ground-nesting coastal waterbirds with the aim of deriving a vulnerability profile for birds as a function of different breeding strategies, habitat, and nest characteristics. We compared rates of nest survival and mink predation on 102 nests of solitary nesting species (Chloephaga picta, Tachyeres pteneres), on 361 nests of colonial birds (Larus dominicanus, Larus scoresbii, Sterna hirundinacea), and on 558 artificial nests. We calculated relative mink and bird densities at all nest sites. Nests of colonial species showed the highest nest survival probabilities (67-84%) and no predation by mink. Nest survival rates for solitary nesting species were lower (5-20%) and mink predation rates higher (10-44%). Discriminant analyses revealed that mink preyed upon artificial nests mainly at shores with rocky outcroppings where mink were abundant. High nest concealment increased the probability for predation by mink. Conservation planning should consider that invasive mink might severely affect the reproduction success of bird species with the following characteristics: solitary nesting, nesting habitat at rocky outcrop shores, and concealed nests. We recommend that work starts immediately to control the mink population with a priority in the nesting habitats of vulnerable endemic waterbirds.     

Effects of an exotic prey species on a native specialist: Example of the snail kite

Despite acknowledging that exotic species can exhibit tremendous influence over native populations, few case studies have clearly demonstrated the effects of exotic prey species on native predators. We examined the effects of the recently introduced island apple snail (Pomacea insularum) on the foraging behavior and energetics of the endangered snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus) in Florida. We conducted time-activity budgets: (i) on kites foraging for native Florida apple snails (Pomacea paludosa) in major wetland units within the kites’ range that had not been invaded by the exotic island apple snail and (ii) on kites foraging for exotic apple snails in Lake Tohopekaliga, the only major wetland utilized by the snail kite that had suffered a serious invasion of P. insularum. When foraging for P. insularum, snail kites dropped a greater proportion of snails, and they experienced increased handling times and decreased consumption rates; however, kites foraging for P. insularum also spent a smaller proportion of the day in flight. Estimates of net daily energy balances between kites feeding on P. insularum versus P. paludosa were comparable for adults, but juveniles experienced energetic deficiencies when feeding on the exotic snail. Due to this discrepancy, we hypothesize that wetlands invaded by P. insularum, such as Lake Tohopekaliga, may function as ecological traps for the snail kite in Florida by attracting breeding adults but simultaneously depressing juvenile survival. This study highlights the conservation implications and importance of elucidating the effects that exotic species have on native specialists, especially those that are endangered, because subtle influences on behavior may have significant population consequences.     

Migratory routes of short-tailed albatrosses: Use of exclusive economic zones of North Pacific Rim countries and spatial overlap with commercial fisheries in Alaska

We conducted a satellite tracking study of the endangered short-tailed albatross (Phoebastria albatrus) to determine post-breeding season distribution, the amount of time spent within exclusive economic zones of Pacific Rim countries, and assess factors affecting spatial and temporal overlap with commercial fisheries in Alaska. We obtained 6709 locations for 14 albatrosses (131-808 locations and 51-138 days of tracking per bird). Albatrosses ranged widely throughout the North Pacific Rim, spending the majority of time within the exclusive economics zones of Japan, Russia (Kuril Islands and Kamchatka Peninsula), and the United States (Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea, Alaska). We found evidence for gender and age-related differences in distribution and, therefore, potential interaction with regional fisheries. Overall, albatrosses spent the greatest proportion of time within the Alaska exclusive economic zone. Within Alaska, albatrosses occurred most frequently in fishery management zones that encompassed the Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea, and south of the Alaska Peninsula. Short-tailed albatrosses had the greatest potential overlap with fisheries that occurred along continental shelf break and slope regions, e.g., longlining for sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria), where albatrosses occurred most often. Some birds, however, also made frequent excursions onto the extensive Bering Sea shelf, suggesting significant potential for interactions with the large-scale walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) and Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) fisheries. Alaskan longline fishing fleets have been proactive in using seabird deterrent devices, however, our data further emphasize that such efforts beyond the Alaska exclusive economic zone would provide a greater conservation benefit for this species.     

At-sea distribution of breeding Tristan albatrosses Diomedea dabbenena and potential interactions with pelagic longline fishing in the South Atlantic Ocean

The endangered Tristan albatross Diomedea dabbenena is restricted to Gough and Inaccessible Islands. The species is killed as bycatch by longline fisheries in the South Atlantic, but the impact of this mortality is unknown. We satellite tracked 38 breeding Tristan albatrosses and assessed the seasonal and annual at-sea distribution of these birds in relation to reported pelagic longline fishing effort. These birds ranged across the South Atlantic from 50°W to 15°E with most (97%) daytime satellite fixes between latitudes 30°S and 45°S. Considerable fishing effort occurred within the same latitudes. Although there was no correlation between their at-sea distributions, there was a broad overlap between birds and fishing effort. Estimated bycatch rates for Tristan albatross and other Diomedea species in the South Atlantic, and the spatio-temporal overlap between birds and hooks, yield a predicted annual mortality of 471-554 birds, sufficient to cause population decreases of 3.6-4.3% per year. An index of bird × hook interactions (proportional density of birds multiplied by number of hooks by decadal period for each 5° square of longitude and latitude) indicated that 47% of annual interactions occurred in areas around Gough Island, and 11% and 15% of interactions in areas of the west and east Atlantic, respectively. There were also within seasonal differences in the key areas of overlap. The fishing fleets of Taiwan and Japan are likely to be responsible for most interactions based upon the reported magnitude of effort expended in the South Atlantic by these fleets. Ensuring that licensed fishing vessels within the Tristan da Cunha Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) operate using best-practise mitigation measures and with fisheries observer programs, could reduce the potential bycatch mortality of breeding Tristan albatrosses in this region by nearly one third. Thorough implementation of international agreements is required in areas of the high seas where most remaining interactions are predicted to occur.     

Amphibians in a human-dominated landscape: the community structure is related to habitat features and isolation

We studied amphibian populations in a human-dominated landscape, in Northern Italy, to evaluate the effects of patch quality and isolation on each species distribution and community structure. We used logistic and linear multiple regression to relate amphibian presence during the breeding season in 84 wetlands to wetland features and isolation. Jackknife procedure was used to evaluate predictive capability of the models. Again, we tested the response of each species to habitat features related to the richest communities. Amphibian presence depends strongly on habitat quality and isolation: the richest communities live in fish-free, sunny wetlands near to occupied wetlands. The negative effects of isolation do not seem to be biased by spatial autocorrelation of habitat features. The system shows strong nestedness: amphibian persistence depends on the contemporary effects of species adaptability and mobility. The commonest species, the pool frog (Rana synklepton esculenta) and the Italian tree frog (Hyla intermedia), are able to move through the matrix using canals and hedgerows, and can maintain metapopulations across the landscape; the rarest species (newts and toads) are more sensitive to habitat alteration, and they are strongly affected by isolation effects. If human exploitation of the landscape continues, only few species, mobile and opportunistic, will persist in this landscape.