Forest fragmentation and loss of threatened ferns habitat in Fragas do Eume Natural Park (NW Spain)

Abstract

Teixido, A.L., Quintanilla, L.G., Carreño, F. (2009). Forest fragmentation and loss of threatened ferns habitat in Fragas do Eume Natural Park (NW Spain). Ecosistemas 18(3):60-73.

Despite large destruction suffered by the forests of coastal Europe, few studies have examined the fragmentation of these ecosystems and its consequences on biodiversity. Fragas do Eume Natural Park is one of the best remaining forests in the Atlantic coast of Europe and has important populations of threatened Ibero-Macaronesian ferns in its riparian forests. The distribution of land cover classes in this Park was studied by using aerial images from the years 2002 and 2003. The whole forest occupies 30% of the area and is mainly held by three big patches. Nevertheless, most patches are very small (<10 ha) and affected by edge factors. In riversides, deforestation was less intense and 76% of the stream length is covered by forest. North-facing low-altitude (<400 m) riparian forest, optimum habitat for threatened ferns, occupies 47 km of streams. Forest restoration in the damaged riversides must be a priority action to conserve these ferns.