Biological effects of habitat fragmentation: new approaches to cope with an old problem

Abstract

García, D. (2011). Biological effects of habitat fragmentation: new approaches to cope with an old problem. Ecosistemas 20(2-3):1-10

Habitat fragmentation is a change in the composition and configuration of natural landscapes entailing strong disruptions of population,community and ecosystem processes all over the world. Considered as a main driver of the global biodiversity crisis, it has received muchscientific attention from decades ago. Nevertheless, we are still far from a deep understanding of the mechanisms by which ecosystemsrespond to landscape alteration. In this Ecosistemas Special Issue, internationally relevant scientists from Spain and Latin America presenttheir views on the concept – and on the problem- of habitat fragmentation. They provide new approaches seeking to strengthen thosefragmentation topics still needed of conceptual and empirical support. Moreover, they highlight the suitability of these new approaches todevelop species conservation and ecosystem management tools.