Abstrack Resemcb on fragmented ecosystems bas focused
mostly on tbe biogeograpbic consequences of tbe creation of
habitat “islands” of diffmt size and bas pvfded little of
practical value to managers Hom, ecosystem fragmentation
causes large changes in tbepbysfcal environment as
well as biogeograpbic changes Fragmentation generally msults
in a landscape that consists of remnant areas of native
vegetation surrounded by a mdrlx of agricultural or otber
developed land As a mu14 fluxes of radiation, momentum
(La, wind), water, and nutrients clcros~ tbe lands- are
altered significantly. Tbese in turn can haw important influences
on tbe biota witbin remnant are- especially at or
near tbe edge between tbe remnant and tbe surrounding matrix
Tbe isolatfon of remnant areas by clearing also bas
important consequences for tbe biota These consequences
vary with tbe time since isolatioq distance from otber remnants,
and dep of connectivity witb otber remnants Tbe
influences of pbysical and biogeographic changes are modified
by tbe size, sbape, and pition in tbe landscape of
individual remnanQ witb larger remnants being less aduwsely
affected by tbejhapaentation process @vtuamicr