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The Biotic Implications of Forest Fragmentation

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Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Life Sciences, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh, Assam, 786001, INDIA
  • 2Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Assam University, Silchar, Assam, 788011, INDIA

Int. Res. J. Environment Sci., Volume 5, Issue (1), Pages 58-62, January,22 (2016)

Abstract

Forest fragmentation which is the process of breaking up of large forested areas into smaller pieces is a common phenomenon that occurs in the present times. A review of existing literature shows that fragmentation can exert even larger independent effects than forest loss. It gives rise to isolation and edge effects that affect both animal and plant populations. Significant impacts of forest fragmentation include reduction in species diversity and abundance, alterations in composition and demographic parameters of species and so on. It effects propagate through the various pathways through the forest ecosystem, not only affecting particular plant or animal groups but also interspecific interactions. Through this review, the consequences of fragmentation on microclimate, flora, avian and mammalian fauna have been revealed, along with the inherent pathways. It very well shows how the impacts of the phenomenon encompass the entire forest ecosystem.

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