Urbanization Impacts on Mammals across Urban-Forest Edges and a Predictive Model of Edge Effects
Author
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Villaseñor, Nélida R.
Author
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Driscoll, Don A.
es_CL
Author
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Escobar Cuadros, Martín A. H.
es_CL
Author
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Gibbons, Philip
es_CL
Author
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Lindenmayer, David B.
es_CL
Admission date
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2015-01-08T14:27:54Z
Available date
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2015-01-08T14:27:54Z
Publication date
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2014
Cita de ítem
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PLoS ONE 9(5): e97036. (2014)
en_US
Identifier
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doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0097036
Identifier
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https://repositorio.uchile.cl/handle/2250/120393
General note
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Artículo de publicación ISI
en_US
Abstract
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With accelerating rates of urbanization worldwide, a better understanding of ecological processes at the wildland-urban
interface is critical to conserve biodiversity. We explored the effects of high and low-density housing developments on
forest-dwelling mammals. Based on habitat characteristics, we expected a gradual decline in species abundance across
forest-urban edges and an increased decline rate in higher contrast edges. We surveyed arboreal mammals in sites of high
and low housing density along 600 m transects that spanned urban areas and areas turn on adjacent native forest. We also
surveyed forest controls to test whether edge effects extended beyond our edge transects. We fitted models describing
richness, total abundance and individual species abundance. Low-density housing developments provided suitable habitat
for most arboreal mammals. In contrast, high-density housing developments had lower species richness, total abundance
and individual species abundance, but supported the highest abundances of an urban adapter (Trichosurus vulpecula). We
did not find the predicted gradual decline in species abundance. Of four species analysed, three exhibited no response to
the proximity of urban boundaries, but spilled over into adjacent urban habitat to differing extents. One species (Petaurus
australis) had an extended negative response to urban boundaries, suggesting that urban development has impacts
beyond 300 m into adjacent forest. Our empirical work demonstrates that high-density housing developments have
negative effects on both community and species level responses, except for one urban adapter. We developed a new
predictive model of edge effects based on our results and the literature. To predict animal responses across edges, our
framework integrates for first time: (1) habitat quality/preference, (2) species response with the proximity to the adjacent
habitat, and (3) spillover extent/sensitivity to adjacent habitat boundaries. This framework will allow scientists, managers
and planners better understand and predict both species responses across edges and impacts of development in mosaic
landscapes.
en_US
Patrocinador
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NRV was supported by BECAS CHILE-CONICYT granted by the Government of Chile during her PhD studies