Fragmentation of rangelands: implications for humans, animals, and landscapes

Fragmentation of the ecosystems of the earth into spatially isolated units has emerged as a primary component of global change. Often, fragmentation results from actions that are intended to enhance human livelihoods and well-being; however, there are often costs to ecosystems and human economies th...

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Autores principales: Hobbs, N.T., Galvin, K.A., Stokes, C.J., Lackett, J.M., Ash, Andrew J., Boone, Randall B., Reid, Robin S., Thornton, Philip K.
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Elsevier 2008
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/2130
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author Hobbs, N.T.
Galvin, K.A.
Stokes, C.J.
Lackett, J.M.
Ash, Andrew J.
Boone, Randall B.
Reid, Robin S.
Thornton, Philip K.
author_browse Ash, Andrew J.
Boone, Randall B.
Galvin, K.A.
Hobbs, N.T.
Lackett, J.M.
Reid, Robin S.
Stokes, C.J.
Thornton, Philip K.
author_facet Hobbs, N.T.
Galvin, K.A.
Stokes, C.J.
Lackett, J.M.
Ash, Andrew J.
Boone, Randall B.
Reid, Robin S.
Thornton, Philip K.
author_sort Hobbs, N.T.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Fragmentation of the ecosystems of the earth into spatially isolated units has emerged as a primary component of global change. Often, fragmentation results from actions that are intended to enhance human livelihoods and well-being; however, there are often costs to ecosystems and human economies that are not considered. We describe the three general categories of processes causing fragmentation of rangelands worldwide: dissection, decoupling, and compression. We show that access to heterogeneity of landscapes is an important attribute of grazing ecosystems worldwide, and that fragmentation of these systems, even when it proceeds in the absence of habitat loss, can limit options of people and animals, options that are particularly important in temporally heterogeneous environments. We discuss the consequences of fragmentation for people, livestock, wildlife, and landscapes and describe potential adaptations that can mitigate its harmful outcomes. We close by reviewing policy options that promote re-aggregation of landscapes and adaptation to fragmentation.
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spelling CGSpace21302023-12-08T19:36:04Z Fragmentation of rangelands: implications for humans, animals, and landscapes Hobbs, N.T. Galvin, K.A. Stokes, C.J. Lackett, J.M. Ash, Andrew J. Boone, Randall B. Reid, Robin S. Thornton, Philip K. rangelands environmental degradation Fragmentation of the ecosystems of the earth into spatially isolated units has emerged as a primary component of global change. Often, fragmentation results from actions that are intended to enhance human livelihoods and well-being; however, there are often costs to ecosystems and human economies that are not considered. We describe the three general categories of processes causing fragmentation of rangelands worldwide: dissection, decoupling, and compression. We show that access to heterogeneity of landscapes is an important attribute of grazing ecosystems worldwide, and that fragmentation of these systems, even when it proceeds in the absence of habitat loss, can limit options of people and animals, options that are particularly important in temporally heterogeneous environments. We discuss the consequences of fragmentation for people, livestock, wildlife, and landscapes and describe potential adaptations that can mitigate its harmful outcomes. We close by reviewing policy options that promote re-aggregation of landscapes and adaptation to fragmentation. 2008-10 2010-08-02T13:44:52Z 2010-08-02T13:44:52Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/2130 en Limited Access Elsevier Hobbs, N.T.; Galvin, K.A.; Stokes, C.J.; Lackett, J.M.; Ash, A.J.; Boone, R.B.; Reid, R.S.; Thornton, P.K. 2008. Fragmentation of rangelands: implications for humans, animals, and landscapes. Global Environmental Change 18(4):776-785.
spellingShingle rangelands
environmental degradation
Hobbs, N.T.
Galvin, K.A.
Stokes, C.J.
Lackett, J.M.
Ash, Andrew J.
Boone, Randall B.
Reid, Robin S.
Thornton, Philip K.
Fragmentation of rangelands: implications for humans, animals, and landscapes
title Fragmentation of rangelands: implications for humans, animals, and landscapes
title_full Fragmentation of rangelands: implications for humans, animals, and landscapes
title_fullStr Fragmentation of rangelands: implications for humans, animals, and landscapes
title_full_unstemmed Fragmentation of rangelands: implications for humans, animals, and landscapes
title_short Fragmentation of rangelands: implications for humans, animals, and landscapes
title_sort fragmentation of rangelands implications for humans animals and landscapes
topic rangelands
environmental degradation
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/2130
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