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Science 24 July 1992:
Vol. 257. no. 5069, pp. 524 - 526
DOI: 10.1126/science.257.5069.524
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Articles

Diverse and Contrasting Effects of Habitat Fragmentation

George R. Robinson 1, Robert D. Holt 2, Michael S. Gaines 3, Steven P. Hamburg 4, Michael L. Johnson 3, Henry S. Fitch 3, and Edward A. Martinko 3

1 Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08855
2 Department of Systematics and Ecology and Museum of Natural History, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045
3 Department of Systematics and Ecology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045
4 Department of Systematics and Ecology and Environmental Studies Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045

Different components of an ecosystem can respond in very different ways to habitat fragmentation. An archipelago of patches, representing different levels of fragmentation, was arrayed within a successional field and studied over a period of 6 years. Ecosystem processes (soil mineralization and plant succession) did not vary with the degree of subdivision, nor did most measures of plant and animal community diversity. However, fragmentation affected vertebrate population dynamics and distributional patterns as well as the population persistence of clonal plant species. The results highlight the dangers of relying on broad community measures in lieu of detailed population analyses in studies of fragmented habitats.

Submitted on January 9, 1992
Accepted on April 29, 1992


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