Habitat degradation and loss as key drivers of regional population extinction

摘要: Habitat quality is a fundamental driver of species distributions and population outcomes but often difficult to measure compare alongside measures habitat amount fragmentation. Consequently, omitted from many landscape-level analyses or more indirectly subjectively represented in resulting management conservation planning. Yet, the implications this conceptual planning omission are poorly understood. We lack general theory that identifies conditions under which expected play vital role characterizing local regional responses. Using factorial simulation design, we examined independent contributions quality, amount, fragmentation persistence identify might be important than those generated wide range fractal landscapes, independently varying fragmentation, QRule. simulated interactive animal movement, selection, for r K strategist with short long dispersal abilities using spatially explicit individual-based models developed HexSim. Population abundance extinction risk were recorded through time each landscape-species combination used quantify relative influence landscape on outcomes. found degradation influenced attributes. The most severe responses observed scenarios combined loss degradation, suggesting effects these variables may greatly affect persistence. Landscape modified risks associated amount-fragmentation thresholds, evidence quality-based thresholds as was degraded. strength suggests should further investigated major change. A inclusive paradigm required elucidate influences change extinction. along explicitly considered when assessing