The influence of matrix quality on species richness in remnant forest

Context Habitat destruction is the leading threat to terrestrial biodiversity, isolating remnant habitat in a matrix of modified vegetation. Objectives Our goal was to determine how species richness in several broad taxonomic groups from remnant forest was influenced by matrix quality, which we char...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Landscape ecology 2018-07, Vol.33 (7), p.1147-1157
Main Authors: Reider, Ian J., Donnelly, Maureen A., Watling, James I.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biodiversity
Biomass
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Ecology
Environmental degradation
Environmental Management
Environmental restoration
Forest biomass
Forests
Habitat loss
Habitats
Image quality
Landscape Ecology
Landscape preservation
Landscape/Regional and Urban Planning
Life Sciences
Nature Conservation
Plant biomass
Quality
Research Article
Restoration
Satellite imagery
Species richness
Species-area relationship
Sustainable Development
Urbanization
Wildlife conservation
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Summary:Context Habitat destruction is the leading threat to terrestrial biodiversity, isolating remnant habitat in a matrix of modified vegetation. Objectives Our goal was to determine how species richness in several broad taxonomic groups from remnant forest was influenced by matrix quality, which we characterized by comparing plant biomass in forest and the surrounding matrix. Methods We coupled data on species-area relationships (SARs) in forest remnants from 45 previously published studies with an index of matrix quality calculated using new estimates of plant biomass derived from satellite imagery. Results The effect size of SARs was greatest in landscapes with low matrix quality and little forest cover. SARs were generally stronger for volant than for non-volant species. For the terrestrial taxa included in our analysis, matrix quality decreased as the proportion of water, ice, or urbanization in a landscape increased. Conclusions We clearly demonstrate that matrix quality plays a major role in determining patterns of species richness in remnant forest. A key implication of our work is that activities that increase matrix quality, such as active and passive habitat restoration, may be important conservation measure for maintaining and restoring biodiversity in modified landscapes.
ISSN:0921-2973
1572-9761
DOI:10.1007/s10980-018-0664-6