Effect of forest fragmentation on species composition of non-flying mammals in the Tama hill and Kanto mountain region. Ecol. Civil Eng. 11 (1), 41-49, 2008

Abstract

We examined the influence of forest fragmentation on species composition of non-flying mammals. We classified the study sites into three isolation gradients (mountain forest, continuous forest, and isolated forest), depending on the degree of isolation of each forest type, and chose three study sites from each isolation gradient. We located remote cameras along animal trails from April to October in 2005 and 2006, and recorded species composition and Relative Abundance Index (RAI) of non-flying mammals. Analysis of species presence or absence was done using non-metric Multi-dimensional scaling (nMDS) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) techniques. Non-flying mammals in the habitats were classified into four types: (1) mountainous species inhabiting mountain forest at high frequency; (2) hill species inhabiting mountain forest and continuous forest; (3) widely distributed species inhabiting mountain forest, continuous forest, and isolated forest; and (4) Locality species locally inhabiting mountain and continuous forest. Species richness decreased as isolation increased. Therefore, we conclude that mountain forests are species sources, and isolation forests are important habitats for generalist species. In the ecological network planning, mountain forests may function as core areas, and isolation forests may function as base and center for generalist species. © 2008, Ecology and Civil Engineering Society. All rights reserved.