Abstract

CUNHA, Jorge  and  REGO, Francisco. Composition and Structure of the Landscape: Its Relation to the Wealth of the Amphibians and Reptiles Occurring in Continental Portugal. Silva Lus. [online]. 2005, vol.13, n.1, pp.35-50. ISSN 0870-6352.

Understanding the effects of the landscape structure on population dynamics is one of the main goals of landscape ecology, and is a critical step in the implementation of conservation efforts. Landscape ecology evolved due to the necessity of understanding the development and dynamics of landscape pattern on the ecological phenomena, and recognizing that ecological processes both affect and are affected by dynamic interactions between the ecosystems. This work studies the relationship between the seventeen species of amphibians and the twenty-seven species of reptiles found in Portugal. It considers the importance of these two groups and the elements of the landscape, in order to understand their functions in the various species considered. Statistical models were developed based on the distribution of amphibians and reptiles within different habitat types, and were integrated into a Geographic Information System, that made it possible to understand that biological diversity, concerning these species, is strongly related to the habitat type.

Keywords : amphibians; reptiles; habitat types; specific richness; landscape ecology.

        · abstract in Portuguese | French     · text in Portuguese     · Portuguese ( pdf )