Assessing critical habitat: Evaluating the relative contribution of habitats to population persistence

Density and Spatial Distribution of Buffy-tufted-ear Marmosets (Callithrix aurita) in a Continuous Atlantic Forest

“…Populations of Callithrix aurita are declining across its range; our finding of a relatively large and apparently stable population is noteworthy for both conservation and management. The number of individuals and apparent stability of the population of Callithrix aurita suggests that it could serve as a source for conservation and management actions; however, further studies are required to quantify habitat specific mortality and productivity within our highly heterogeneous study region before firm conclusions can be drawn (Heinrichs et al 2010;Van Horne 1983).…”

“…The fragmented nature of populations of Callithrix aurita means that it is vital to quantify the densities and the local scale spatial distribution of populations in the few remaining large areas of Atlantic forest, as it is these populations that will provide a source for the effective conservation and restoration of the species in fragmented areas. It is well known that demographic parameters such as population densities and birth rates are lower in less suitable habitats (Felton et al 2003;Hazell et al 2004) and one of the key factors required to understand if a population can be considered a source is the spatial distribution of population densities (Heinrichs et al 2010;Kareiva et al 1990). Yet raw density estimates of sampled populations are not necessarily accurate in heterogeneous environments where species presence and abundance can be strongly influenced by environmental factors (Morrison et al 2006;Van Horne 1983).…”

Effects of landscape and patch-level attributes on regional population persistence

“…Yet landscape quality can significantly influence regional population persistence and even outweigh the effects of other habitat variables (Heinrichs, Bender, Gummer, & Schumaker, 2010;Klok & De Roos, 1998;Wiegand, Revilla, & Moloney, 2005). Regional landscape quality can influence the functional capacity of the landscape to support individuals, and those with higher overall capacity may support larger populations that are less prone to stochastic extinction (Gaggiotti & Hanski, 2004).…”

“…We constructed a spatially-explicit, individual-based population model for an endangered Ord's kangaroo rat (Dipodomys ordii) population in Alberta, Canada, and used habitat removal scenarios and resulting extinction risks to rank the influences of patch and landscape habitat variables on regional population persistence. Previous research identified the types of habitat that are likely to contribute long-term persistence and population recovery (e.g., active dunes vs. road-side habitats; Heinrichs et al, 2010) but did not characterize the relative effects of habitat quantity, quality, and configuration or their scale of influence on regional population persistence.…”

Coupled impacts of sea-level rise and tidal marsh restoration on endangered California clapper rail

“…Landmark works have developed a variety of key tools and insights: landscape and species distribution models were used to explore the gradual changes in habitat (Convertino et al, 2012b;Woodrey et al, 2012), the limits on breeding density (Brittain and Craft, 2012), and the effects of sediment availability and tide conditions on shorebird distribution and abundance (Veloz et al, 2013). In particular, recognizing that the exclusion of population dynamics may lead to under-or over-estimation of habitat quality (Heinrichs et al, 2010), species distribution models have been increasingly coupled with population models to bridge habitat change and population fluctuations. These works employ simplified single-population models Nur and Sydeman, 1999) and complicated metapopulation simulation of http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2014.02.016 0006-3207/Ó 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.…”