Analysis of landscape sources and sinks: the effect of spatial pattern on avian demography

• Published in: Biological conservation Vol. 100; no. 1; pp. 75 - 88
• Main Authors: With, Kimberly A., King, Anthony W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.07.2001
• Subjects: Passeriformes
• ISSN: 0006-3207
• DOI: 10.1016/s0006-3207(00)00209-3

Landscapes were modeled as binary raster maps of avian breeding habitat versus nonbreeding habitat to explore the relationship between demography and landscape pattern. Landscapes were assessed as population sources or sinks for a given specie type. Available breeding habitat was defined as functionally connected habitat meeting the individual minimum area requirement for a given specie. Once the demographic parameter was calculated for each specie, a life-table combining fecundity and survivorship was constructed for each specie and landscape, and the expected net lifetime reproductive output was calculated. Results showed that the expected net lifetime reproductive output was higher in fractal landscapes than in random ones. Species with low edge sensitivity were able to persist in landscapes with as little as 1% habitat when it was arrayed as a clumped fractal distribution. Species with high edge high area sensitivities were unable to persist unless habitat was clumped and very abundant.