Rocky outcrops: A hard road in the conservation of critical habitats

摘要: Abstract Rocky outcrops are geological features that encompass a wide variety of physical environments, including escarpments, overhangs, cliffs, tors, boulder-heaps and insular domes (inselbergs). They support high levels species diversity endemism, provide stable micro-climates for thousands years. critical breeding sites many top order mammalian avian predators; nesting colonial such as seabirds, bats swifts ecological refuges ancient lineages. Rock overhangs caves also important insights into our past where they contain the remains extinct species. Because rocky environments generally less fertile, steep-sided accessible than surrounding landscape, typically prone to human disturbances. Nonetheless, outcrops, particularly in commodity production landscapes, face threats soil compaction erosion caused by livestock; nutrient enrichment weed invasion; introduced damage recreational quarrying activities. Even seemingly pristine may be affected altered fire regimes, air pollution (including acid rain) potentially climate change. In agricultural various approaches have been taken conserve land acquisition conservation, fencing from livestock private conservation agreements with landholders. more intact targeted actions rock-dwelling fauna include limiting access sites, baiting reduce pressure predators, restoring rock microhabitat translocation endangered Future management will need involve better inventory biophysical attributes fine-scale mapping improve awareness these small natural features.