The effect of urban growth on landscape-scale restoration for a fire-dependent songbird

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.01.005
• Publication Date: 2017-01-12T22:47:19Z
• Authors: Bradley A. Pickens; Jeffrey F. Marcus; John P. Carpenter; Scott Anderson; Paul J. Taillie; Jaime A. Collazo
• Keywords: Restoration Ecology

A landscape-scale perspective on restoration ecology has been advocated, but few studies have informed with landscape metrics or addressed broad-scale threats. Threats such as urban growth may affect effectiveness in a context. Here, we studied longleaf pine savanna the rapidly urbanizing southeastern United States where habitat-specialist bird, Bachman's sparrow (Peucaea aestivalis), is closely associated vegetation structure and frequent fire. Our objectives were to construct species distribution model for sparrow, determine relationship between fire urbanization, quantify effect (2010-2090), identify potential areas, interaction by 2050. Number of patches, patch size, isolation used evaluate scenarios. The was 88% accurate emphasized multiscale canopy cover characteristics, fire, percent habitat. Fires less common <600 m from this suppression exacerbated effects. For scenarios, reduction 30% resulted nearly double amount habitat compared prescribed scenario; larger sizes current conditions. scenarios unequal. Seventy-four areas scenario overlapped projected growth, whereas only 9%. We emphasize benefits simultaneously considering effects promote greater isolation.