Many species in human-dominated lan

Many species in human-dominated landscapes find their habitat in linear elements, such as
road verges, hedgerows and ditches. Local concentrations of species have been observed in
the intersections of linear elements, but their spatial distribution and local population
density in this linear habitat are not well captured by existing theory. Using a simple,
spatially explicit individual-based GIS-model simulating hedgerow bird species with
different movement abilities, local high population density of our model species in intersections
and their reduced density or absence in linear habitat could be explained by limited
movement. We hypothesise that, for species with low movement ability, intersections of
linearly shaped habitat could contain several local populations. We argue that these
predictions are valid for organisms occurring in linear habitat with limited movement
relative to the dimensions of their habitat, and whose movement is directed by their habitat.
Our findings support the importance of intersections for biodiversity in human-dominated
landscapes, as they may serve as refuges from which individuals can (re-)colonise unoccupied
habitat.

Modelling the effect of intersections in linear habitat on spatial
distribution and local population density