Exam 4 Part 5/5

Landscape

What is landscape ecology?

The study of the causes and consequences of landscape-level ecological patterns.

• The causes behind the formation of patches and boundaries, and 

• The ecological consequences of these spatial patterns on the landscape

• Goal: Predict the responses of different organism to changes in landscape

What constitutes a mosaic in landscape ecology?

A patchwork of different types of land covers or elements such as forests, bogs, meadows, lakes, and streams.

What are the two important aspects of spatial scale in landscape ecology?

Grain and extent.

What does 'grain' refer to in landscape ecology?

The spatial resolution of a study or data set.

What does 'extent' refer to in landscape ecology?

The size of the study area being considered. “Are you focusing on the whole of Arizona, or Tucson, or just the UA campus” - Professor Daijiang

What influences habitat suitability, wind flow, dispersal of seeds, and movement of animals in a landscape?

The area, shape, and orientation of landscape patches.

What are edge effects?

The negative impact that a habitat edge has on interior conditions.

Why are larger reserves generally better than smaller reserves in landscape ecology?

Larger reserves can support more biodiversity and ecological processes.

What does the term 'SLOSS' refer to in landscape ecology?

The debate over whether a Single Large reserve or Several Small reserves are better for conservation.

What is a metapopulation?

A group of interacting subpopulations linked by the movement of individuals between them.

What are corridors in landscape ecology?

Corridors facilitate movement among patches and can encourage gene flow between subpopulations. Can help reestablish species in habitats that have experience local extinction.

What is an example of a negative impact of corridors?

They can serve as pathways for the invasion of exotic species.

What is the role of disturbances in landscape ecology?

Disturbances influence the development of spatial patterns in landscapes.

What are patches in landscape ecology?

Relatively homogenous community types that differ from their surroundings in structure and species composition.

• Patches result from factors: geology, topography, soils, and climate, human activity

What are edge species?

Species that are restricted exclusively to the edge of an environment.

What is the importance of preserving the interior of habitats?

To maintain the life and characteristics of interior communities, which can be lost as patches become smaller.

How does habitat loss and fragmentation affect biodiversity?

It leads to reduced population size, loss of genetic variation, and increased edge effects.

The area, shape, and orientation of the landscape patches influence:

Habitat suitability, Wind flow, Dispersal of seeds, Movement of animals

inherent edges are defined as?

Some patches are stable and permeant.

induced edges are defined as?

edges subjected to successional changes over time

Patches have edges, what are three types?

Narrow border, wide border, Convoluted border

edge type a narrow border is

straight, sharp, and abrupt

Edge type a wide border

Jagged line, not sharp but not straight cutting, awkward uneven angles

Edge type of a Convoluted border

No pattern, is just flowing about through the ecosystem

what are some examples of negative edge effects?

• Increased wind disturbance

• Increase tree mortality

• Increased pf invasive species

Are predators more likely to be attracted to interior species or edge species?

edge species, there more in the open and have less protection from the trees of the forest.

Example of predation changing based on location of the eggs of the birds, are they more likely to fall prey if their in the interior or edge of the forest?

They are more likely to fall prey on the edge.

The shape of the habitat matters, if it gets too skinny what happens?

The whole patch becomes large edges and the interior community disappears

what are the 4 primary causes of loss of biological diversity

•Loss of habitat

•Reduced population size

•Loss of genetic variation

•Increased edge

what is the Design Principles for Protected Areas

One large reserve is better than a smaller one. One large reserve is better than a few small ones even if its the same amount of area. Several reserve close together are better than several reserves far apart. Reserves connected by habitat corridors are better than unconnected reserves. Compact shapes are best for minimizing boundary length. A reserve surrounded by a buffer zone is preferable to one without.

In reserve size is bigger or smaller better?

One large reserve is better than a smaller one

In number of reserves in on large one better or a few small ones?

One large reserve is better than a few small ones even if its the same amount of area

Reserve proximity, should patches be close or far apart to work best?

Several reserve close together are better than several reserves far apart.

Reserve connectivity, does the connection of corridors better or worse the reserve?

Reserves connected by habitat corridors are better than unconnected reserves.

Reserve shape, would a compact or a squished habitat do better?

Compact shapes are best for minimizing boundary length.

A buffer zone will the reserve better or worse?

A reserve surrounded by a buffer zone is preferable to one without.

Corridors do promote movement but hwat else can they provide?

may provide a new habitat

All the negative impacts of corridors.

• New scouting positions for predators

• Possible disease spread

• Pathway for the invasive or exotic species

• If too narrow, can inhibit movement of social groups that are meant to be in the area

What are Priority areas in conservation?

Are the core wildlife habitats or the key corridors connecting those core areas