Premium
Designing optimal human‐modified landscapes for forest biodiversity conservation
Author(s) -
ArroyoRodríguez Víctor,
Fahrig Lenore,
Tabarelli Marcelo,
Watling James I.,
Tischendorf Lutz,
Benchimol Maíra,
Cazetta Eliana,
Faria Deborah,
Leal Inara R.,
Melo Felipe P. L.,
MoranteFilho Jose C.,
Santos Bráulio A.,
ArasaGisbert Ricard,
ArcePeña Norma,
CervantesLópez Martín J.,
CudneyValenzuela Sabine,
GalánAcedo Carmen,
SanJosé Miriam,
Vieira Ima C. G.,
Slik J.W. Ferry,
Nowakowski A. Justin,
Tscharntke Teja
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
ecology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.852
H-Index - 265
eISSN - 1461-0248
pISSN - 1461-023X
DOI - 10.1111/ele.13535
Subject(s) - biodiversity , ecology , environmental resource management , geography , forest restoration , intact forest landscape , landscape ecology , forest ecology , ecosystem services , wildlife , forest cover , agroforestry , ecosystem , environmental science , habitat , biology
Abstract Agriculture and development transform forest ecosystems to human‐modified landscapes. Decades of research in ecology have generated myriad concepts for the appropriate management of these landscapes. Yet, these concepts are often contradictory and apply at different spatial scales, making the design of biodiversity‐friendly landscapes challenging. Here, we combine concepts with empirical support to design optimal landscape scenarios for forest‐dwelling species. The supported concepts indicate that appropriately sized landscapes should contain ≥ 40% forest cover, although higher percentages are likely needed in the tropics. Forest cover should be configured with c . 10% in a very large forest patch, and the remaining 30% in many evenly dispersed smaller patches and semi‐natural treed elements (e.g. vegetation corridors). Importantly, the patches should be embedded in a high‐quality matrix. The proposed landscape scenarios represent an optimal compromise between delivery of goods and services to humans and preserving most forest wildlife, and can therefore guide forest preservation and restoration strategies.