Habitat fragmentation and its lasting impact on Earth’s ecosystems

We conducted an analysis of global forest cover to reveal that 70% of remaining forest is within 1 km of the forest's edge, subject to the degrading effects of fragmentation. A synthesis of fragmentation experiments spanning multiple biomes and scales, five continents, and 35 years demonstrates that habitat fragmentation reduces biodiversity by 13 to 75% and impairs key ecosystem functions by decreasing biomass and altering nutrient cycles. Effects are greatest in the smallest and most isolated fragments, and they magnify with the passage of time. These findings indicate an urgent need for conservation and restoration measures to improve landscape connectivity, which will reduce extinction rates and help…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Awards: DEB 0841892, 0841892, DEB-0950100, 0950100
• NA
  National Aeronautics and Space Administration

  Awards: NNH07ZDA001N-LCLUC, NNH07ZDA001N, NNH06ZDA001N
• UD
  U.S. Department of Agriculture
• AW
  Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
• UO
  University of Florida Foundation
• LD
  Laboratoire d'Excellence TULIP
• YS
  Yayasan Sime Darby
• CS
  Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
• AN
  Agence Nationale de la Recherche
• CD
  Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
• AE
  Analyses et Expérimentations pour les Ecosystèmes
• UF
  U.S. Forest Service
• CS
  Ciência sem Fronteiras