Species richness and spatial dynamics in amphibians

两栖动物的物种丰富度和空间动态

基本信息

批准号：
216883-2008
负责人：
Hecnar, Stephen
金额：
$ 1.09万
依托单位：
Lakehead University
依托单位国家：
加拿大
项目类别：
Discovery Grants Program - Individual
财政年份：
2010
资助国家：
加拿大
起止时间：
2010-01-01 至 2011-12-31
项目状态：
已结题

来源：
https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=454008
关键词：
Species richness spatial dynamics amphibians

项目摘要

The fundamental goal of ecology is to understand the factors that determine the abundance, distribution and diversity of organisms in nature. The urgency of this task is increasing because of mounting losses of species due to degradation and destruction of natural habitats. Human alterations of landscapes have fragmented many habitats resulting in direct area loss and reduced distribution of species. As human populations grow, more natural habitat is converted to agriculture, forestry and urban use, and expanding road networks act as sources of mortality and barriers to many organisms. This artificial patchiness impedes movements of individuals among populations and less habitat results in smaller populations carrying increased risk of extinction. The ultimate result of fragmentation is loss of biodiversity. Human actions are also accelerating global warming which is altering precipitation patterns and the frequency and severity of natural disturbances such as wildfire. Human actions also place increased importance on the efficacy of our protected area systems for conservation. My research program explores how landscape features, habitat fragmentation and habitat degradation affect the movements and diversity of amphibians. Amphibians play a vital role in nature because they act as both important predators and prey in many food webs, and they use habitats on both land and in water. Amphibians often constitute a major portion of total biomass and they play a major role in energy transfer between land and water. Amphibians are also sensitive to environmental change because of biological characteristics such as their skin and dependence on water. These attributes make amphibians excellent indicators of ecosystem health because they act as proverbial 'canaries in coalmines.' My research provides valuable insights into amphibian ecology and conservation when about one third of all amphibians are threatened with extinction. I endeavour to expedite the transfer of knowledge from my research for effective conservation and I use my program as a vehicle to train Canada's next generation of ecologists. This research also contributes to Canada's obligations as a signatory of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.

生态学的基本目标是了解决定自然界生物体丰度、分布和多样性的因素。由于自然栖息地的退化和破坏导致物种损失不断增加，这项任务的紧迫性日益增加。人类对景观的改变使许多栖息地支离破碎，导致直接面积损失和物种分布减少。随着人口的增长，更多的自然栖息地被转变为农业、林业和城市用途，不断扩大的道路网络成为许多生物的死亡来源和障碍。这种人为的斑块阻碍了种群中个体的流动，栖息地的减少导致种群数量减少，从而增加了灭绝的风险。破碎化的最终结果是生物多样性的丧失。人类活动还加速了全球变暖，从而改变了降水模式以及野火等自然干扰的频率和严重程度。人类行为也越来越重视我们保护区系统的保护效力。我的研究项目探索景观特征、栖息地破碎化和栖息地退化如何影响两栖动物的运动和多样性。两栖动物在自然界中发挥着至关重要的作用，因为它们在许多食物网中既是重要的捕食者又是猎物，并且它们利用陆地和水中的栖息地。两栖动物通常构成总生物量的主要部分，它们在陆地和水之间的能量转移中发挥着重要作用。由于皮肤和对水的依赖等生物学特性，两栖动物对环境变化也很敏感。这些属性使两栖动物成为生态系统健康状况的绝佳指标，因为它们就像众所周知的“煤矿里的金丝雀”。当大约三分之一的两栖动物面临灭绝的威胁时，我的研究为两栖动物生态和保护提供了宝贵的见解。我努力加快我的研究知识的转移，以实现有效的保护，并利用我的项目作为培训加拿大下一代生态学家的工具。这项研究还有助于履行加拿大作为《联合国生物多样性公约》签署国的义务。