Ecological networks as conceptual frameworks or operational tools in conservation.

摘要: The establishment of ecological networks (ENs) has been proposed as an ideal way to counteract the increasing fragmentation natural ecosystems and a necessary complement protected areas for biodiversity conservation. This conservation tool, which comprises core areas, corridors, buffer attracted attention several national European institutions. It is thought that ENs can connect habitat patches thus enable species move across unsuitable areas. In Europe, however, are oversimplification complex concepts, we maintain they limited use reasons. specific operate on species-dependent scales. addition, information needed their implementation only available handful species. To overcome these limitations, have landscape scale (and selected " focal" species), but there no indication structural composition could ensure functional connectivity improve viability more than few theory behind fails provide sufficient practical how build them (e.g., width, shape, structure, content). fact, EN so far validated in practice (ensuring overall conservation), signs validation will be possible near future. view it difficult justify spending economic political resources building systems at best working hypotheses cannot evaluated level.