Relative sensitivities of mammalian carnivores to habitat fragmentation
Abstract
Abstract: I examined the effects of habitat fragmentation on the distribution and abundance of mammalian carnivores in coastal southern California and tested the prediction that responses to fragmentation varied with the body size of carnivore species. I conducted track surveys for nine native and two exotic carnivore species in 29 urban habitat fragments and 10 control sites. Fragment area and isolation were the two strongest landscape descriptors of predator distribution and abundance. Six species were sensitive to fragmentation, generally disappearing as habitat patches became smaller and more isolated; three species were enhanced by fragmentation, with increased abundance in highly fragmented sites; and two species were tolerant of fragmentation, with little to no effect of landscape variables on their distribution and abundance. Within urban habitat fragments, the carnivore visitation rate increased at sites with more exotic cover and closer to the urban edge, a pattern driven largely by the increased abundance of fragmentation‐enhanced carnivores at edge sites. Finally, body size, in conjunction with other ecological characteristics, partially accounted for the heterogeneity in responses to fragmentation among carnivore species. These differential sensitivities are useful criteria for choosing appropriate focal species for ecological research and conservation planning, a choice that depends on the scale of fragmentation in a region and the commensurate responses of carnivore populations at that scale.
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Relatively large populations of up to several thousand individuals are thought to be required in order to maintain genetic viability.
“relatively large populations of up to several thousand individuals are thought to be required in order to maintain genetic viability (Crooks, 2002; Lande, 1995).”
From The impact of land reform on the status of large carnivores in Zimbabwe (2016) · cites this paper as Crooks, 2002
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Self-citationThe impact of land reform on the status of large carnivores in Zimbabwe
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“…used method of estimating the density and abundance of carnivores (Balme, 151 Hunter & Slotow, 2009; Bauer et al., 2014; Boast & Houser, 2012; Crooks, 2002; Deryabina et 152 al., 2015; Fritz et al., 2003; Funston, 2001; Groom, Funston & Mandisodza, 2014; Gusset & 153 Burgener, 2005; Houser,…”
Background
- Authors
- Crooks, K. R.
- Affiliations
- University of California, Santa Cruz (US)
- Corresponding author
- Crooks, Kevin R.
- ORCID
- Crooks, Kevin R.
- Venue
- Conservation Biology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2002-04
- Volume
- 16
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 488-502
- ISSN
- 0888-8892 (ISSN-L)
- 1523-1739
- OpenAlex
- W2161125527
- Cited by
- 943
- References
- 38
- Citations by year
- 2026: 31 · 2025: 42 · 2024: 49 · 2023: 42 · 2022: 50 · 2021: 46 · 2020: 51 · 2019: 43 · 2018: 60 · 2017: 38 · 2016: 59 · 2015: 52 · 2014: 57 · 2013: 42 · 2012: 46
- FWCI
- 13.43
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Conservation Biology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Nature and Landscape Conservation › Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Keywords
- habitat fragmentation, carnivorous mammals, body size, urban habitat, predator distribution, species abundance, introduced species, landscape isolation, edge effects, conservation planning, Southern California
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