Landscape surrogates of forest fragmentation: synthesis of Australian Montreal Process case studies

摘要: Habitat loss and fragmentation are key biodiversity indicators of the Montreal Protocol for monitoring progress towards ecologically sustainable forest management. Over last 15 years, an array landscape metrics have been developed as spatial measures habitat fragmentation. However, most require rigorous empirical testing if they to provide scientifically credible information managers policy makers. We present a synthesis three Australian case studies developing Indicator 1.1e, type, each representing different levels modification: St Mary State Forest, south-east Queensland; Tumut, southern New South Wales; Central Highlands, Victoria. Collectively, found that no single metric captured response target species fauna assemblages, or served reliable ecological surrogate conservation large set species. Rather, demonstrated diversity responses Fragmentation effects were more important Tumut study, but not Highlands study. Stand-scale variables area suitable dominant explanatory Differences in observed partly explained by: (i) differences structure, particularly proportion preferred remaining; (ii) ecology species; (iii) insensitivity measures. Based on outcomes studies, we propose principles surrogates conserving Australia's eucalypt landscapes.