image: A small, isolated patch of the endangered Monkey Puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana) on the Argentine Pampas hosts bird and insect species no longer persisting in much of the landscape due to land clearing and cattle grazing. view more
Credit: Image courtesy of Sarah A. Bekessy.
Researchers report that small habitat patches are crucial for the survival of species unique to those habitats. Many conservation and public policy efforts focus on protecting large, connected landscapes rather than isolated patches of vegetation. However, land clearing and degradation pose greater risks to small, isolated patches of habitat than large ones because small habitats are often considered to have lower conservation value. Brendan A. Wintle and colleagues report that isolated habitat patches less than 1,000 hectares in size have high conservation value and are crucial to the survival of terrestrial species unique to those patches. The authors analyzed the results of 31 conservation studies across 27 countries in Africa, Australia, Europe, and North America. Each study used species distribution maps and a software program that identifies land conservation value. Areas with high conservation value tended to be isolated habitat patches and embedded in agricultural or urban environments. Conservation value was generally lower in large and mostly intact habitats because those areas tended to harbor species that were common throughout the landscape. According to the authors, the study underscores the significance of protecting small habitat patches, which may host rare or threatened species.
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Article #18-13051: "Global synthesis of conservation studies reveals the importance of small habitat patches for biodiversity," by Brendan A. Wintle et al.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brendan A. Wintle, University of Melbourne, AUSTRALIA; tel: +61425828470; email: brendanw@unimelb.edu.au
Journal
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences