Ecological corridors for the amphibians and reptiles in the Natura 2000 sites of Romania.

ABSTRACT: Landscape heterogeneity and fragmentation are key challenges for biodiversity conservation. As Earth's landscape is increasingly dominated by anthropogenic land use, it is clear that broad-scale systems of nature reserves connected by corridors are needed to enable the dispersal of flora and fauna. The European Union currently supports a continent-wide network of protected areas, the Natura 2000 program, but this program lacks the necessary connectivity component. To examine whether a comprehensive network could be built in order to protect amphibians and reptiles, two taxonomic groups sensitive to environmental changes due to their physiological constrains and low dispersal capacity, we used species' distribution maps, the sites of community interest (SCIs) in Romania, and landscape resis

SUBMITTER: Sahlean TC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7655805 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature