Autori: Hartel, T., Nemes, Sz., Öllerer, K., Cogalniceanu, D., Moga, C.I., Arntzen, J.W.

Editorial: Environmental Conservation, 37, p.195-200, 2010.

Rezumat:

Spatial models are increasingly employed towards the understanding of the distribution of organisms and for establishing conservation priorities. Recent evidence suggests that the classic patch orientated models may have limited power to accurately predict the organisms` distributions. Pond breeding amphibians are appropriate study organisms because of their complex life cycle, low dispersal and sensitivity to environmental conditions. Here we tested the importance of connectivity metrics and niche modeling for predicting the occurrence of the Northern Crested Newt in a rural landscape from central Romania. Pond related variables such as macrophyte cover and the presence of predatory fish were the most important predictors of newt presence / absence followed by one landscape related variable (urbanization) and connectivity metric (the nearest neighboring occupied pond). Most of the landscape and connectivity variables were not adequate predictors, presumably because optimal state of terrestrial habitats. Conservation measures for the Northern Crested Newt should promote the preservation of traditional extensive agricultural practices and discourage stocking of ponds with predatory fish.

Cuvinte cheie: Amphibian, conservation, habitat, matrix, occurrence, patch, Romania

URL: http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=7884415