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Landscape pattern and population conservation

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Mosaic Landscapes and Ecological Processes

Abstract

Current estimates of species extinctions indicate a sharp increase in extinction rate over the past two decades due to human-caused changes in species’ habitat (Groombridge, 1992). The most noticeable and probably most important change is the reduction of the amount of habitat available for many species due primarily to expansion of agriculture and increased deforestation. However, in addition to the amount of habitat available, the spatial and spatio-temporal pattern of the habitat can have important implications for population survival. In this chapter we first briefly review the theoretical literature exploring the relationships between landscape pattern and population survival. We then present several case studies from the empirical literature that illustrate these relationships. Finally we review areas that are unresolved and where future research should be directed.

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Harrison, S., Fahrig, L. (1995). Landscape pattern and population conservation. In: Hansson, L., Fahrig, L., Merriam, G. (eds) Mosaic Landscapes and Ecological Processes. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0717-4_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0717-4_12

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-4309-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-0717-4

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