Habitat Fragmentation and Landscape Change

These flashcards cover key concepts related to habitat fragmentation and landscape change, facilitating understanding and preparation for exam topics.

What is habitat fragmentation?

The breaking apart of continuous habitat into distinct pieces, leading to habitat loss and alteration.

What are the three interrelated processes of habitat fragmentation?

1) Habitat loss; 2) Fragmentation into patches; 3) Introduction of new land uses.

How does habitat fragmentation affect species and communities?

It leads to global declines in populations and species and modifies plant and animal communities.

What theory influenced ecological understanding of fragmented landscapes?

The theory of island biogeography.

According to the theory of island biogeography, what determines species richness?

The area of the island (or habitat fragment) and its isolation.

What are patches and connecting corridors in landscape ecology?

They are concepts recognizing the spatial context of habitat fragments and their importance.

What are the four stages along the trajectory of landscape change?

1) Intact landscapes; 2) Variegated landscapes; 3) Fragmented landscapes; 4) Relict landscapes.

What is a mosaic perspective in landscapes?

Recognizing landscapes as made of varied land uses with differing quality for species.

Why is it important to compare whole landscapes instead of individual habitat fragments?

To understand the broader impact of landscape change and fragmentation on species.

What are edge effects?

Physical and biological effects on fragments, particularly at their boundaries due to neighboring cleared land.

What impact do invasive species have on fragments?

They can greatly alter the vegetation and disrupt habitats for animals.

What is species relaxation?

The gradual decline of species richness over time after habitat fragmentation.

What are deterministic processes in fragmented landscapes?

Predictable factors affecting populations, such as use of pesticides or habitat quality reduction.

What are stochastic processes in fragmented populations?

Chance-related events that can lead to population decline or extinction, particularly in small isolated groups.

What is a metapopulation?

A set of subdivided populations interconnected by occasional movements among them.

What are two main types of metapopulation models?

1) Mainland-island model; 2) Interacting populations of similar size.

How does habitat fragmentation affect community structure?

It typically reduces species richness and alters community interactions among species.

What does the species-area relationship imply?

As habitat is fragmented into smaller areas, species richness tends to decrease.

What is the role of habitat quality in species richness?

Species richness may vary significantly based on the quality of the habitat available.

What factors can lead to increased edge habitat?

Habitat fragmentation often results in increased linear edges compared to natural curvilinear boundaries.

How does human land use impact species movement?

Land uses like agriculture and urban development create barriers that restrict species movement.

What is the significance of long-term planning in conservation?

It helps sustain conservation values and prevent further habitat loss and fragmentation.

What steps can be taken to enhance connectivity between habitat fragments?

Create corridors, stepping stones, and protect existing connections.

What is the Gondwana Link?

A conservation project aimed at restoring ecological connectivity across southwestern Australia.

What are the main challenges faced in fragmented landscapes?

Maintaining ecosystem processes, species sustainability, and managing human impacts.

How do ephemeral connections in landscapes help species?

They offer temporary links that facilitate movement between habitat patches.

Why is monitoring species status necessary in conservation practices?

To evaluate the effectiveness of conservation actions and adapt management strategies.

What is the role of cultural habitats in conservation?

They may hold significant conservation value derived from centuries of human land use.

What does landscape change typically result in?

Declines in native species, modified communities, and altered ecosystem processes.

What is the ecological significance of managing disturbances in fragmented landscapes?

It helps maintain habitat quality and ecological processes essential for biodiversity.

How can conservation actions incorporate learning?

By evaluating past management strategies to improve future conservation practices.

What is a significant consequence of habitat loss on species?

An increased likelihood of extinction due to isolation and reduced genetic diversity.

How do physical processes influence fragmented habitats?

Changes in light, moisture, temperature, and wind patterns can affect biological processes.

What typically occurs in a fragmented animal community?

Systematic changes in composition, with rare species more likely absent in smaller fragments.

How does landscape heterogeneity affect biodiversity?

Higher diversity is often associated with more complex and varied landscapes.