The ecological consequences of habitat loss and fragmentation in New Zealand and Australia

Abstract

Extensive loss and subdivision of Austral habitats has shaped the contemporary landscape and caused concomitant impacts on the region’s flora and fauna. This chapter draws on the scientific literature to explore the ecological changes brought about by the loss and fragmentation of indigenous habitats in New Zealand and Australia. We explore what it means for a habitat to become fragmented; and investigate how the rate and pattern of this phenomenon sculpts these landscapes. Inevitably, habitat changes on this scale have a pronounced impact on the physical and biotic conditions within remaining fragments. These effects are experienced from the scale of the gene right up to the diversity of species; impacting not only the individual but the interaction between individuals; modifying not only the organism’s immediate environment but their ability to disperse between patches; and affecting not only the organisms themselves but the ecological services they provide. Moreover, introduced species confound the impact of land-use change, and play an integral role influencing organisms in fragmented landscapes, so we go on to consider the interactions between these drivers. To conclude, this chapter reviews potential approaches for mitigating the impact of habitat fragmentation in order to conserve New Zealand and Australia’s unique biodiversity. Show more