Measurement and Management of Human-Induced Patterns of Forest Fragmentation: A Case Study |
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Authors: | Lise Tole |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Economics, Strathclyde University School of Business, UK. Sir William Duncan Building 130 Rottenrow, Glasgow, G4 OGE, U.K. |
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Abstract: | In many tropical developing countries, the twin pressures of population and poverty are resulting in substantial fragmentation
of forests, increasing the probability of extinction for many species, Forest fragmentation occurs when large contiguous forests
are perforated by small holes or broken up into edges and smaller patches to form a nonforested matrix of open spaces. Thus,
forest fragmentation refers not only to the area of forest cleared, but also to the pattern of this clearance, the resulting
forest’s spatial properties. Both characteristics are important for species survivability. Apart from opening up forests to
many abiotic and biotic influences, fragmentation can affect species dispersal and migration through its effects on forest
connectivity. Landscape ecology conceptualizes connectivity as a gradient of critical thresholds, ranging from the large intact
forest to the small unconnected forest patch. This article reports results from a multiple-scale analysis of forest fragmentation
in Jamaica’s Cockpit Country, an area of once contiguous forest now under threat from human encroachment. Spatial forest data
derived from classification of ETM+ satellite imagery are used to measure fragmentation patterns representing various degrees
of forest connectivity and density. The results suggest that, overall, 81% of the region is in forest. However, fragmentation
patterns also suggest that this forest is riven with extensive perforations indicative of an early stage in the decline of
contiguity. The results provided by the spatial fragmentation model are a first step in the design of effective conservation
and rehabilitation plans for the area. The article concludes with a discussion of possible multiscale management options for
the region. |
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Keywords: | Jamaica Cockpit Country Forest fragmentation ETM+ data Forest connectivity |
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