Fragmentation increased in over half of global forests from 2000 to 2020.
Authors: Zou, Y., Crowther, T.W., Smith, G.R., Ma, H., Mo, L., Bialic-Murphy, L., Potapov, P., Gawecka, K.A., Xu, C., Negret, P.J., Lauber, T., Wu, Z., Rebindaine, D., Zohner, C.M.
Journal: Science
Publication Date: 11/09/2025
Volume: 389
Issue: 6765
Pages: 1151-1156
eISSN: 1095-9203
DOI: 10.1126/science.adr6450
Abstract:Habitat fragmentation, in which contiguous forests are broken into smaller, isolated patches, threatens biodiversity by disrupting species movement, shrinking populations, and altering ecosystem dynamics. Past assessments suggested declining global fragmentation, but they relied on structure-based metrics that overlook ecological connectivity. We analyzed global forest fragmentation from 2000 to 2020 using complementary metrics that captured patch connectivity, aggregation, and structure. Connectivity-based metrics revealed that 51 to 67% of forests globally-and 58 to 80% of tropical forests-became more fragmented, which is nearly twice the rate suggested by traditional structure-focused methods (30 to 35%). Aggregation-focused metrics confirmed increases in 57 to 83% of forests. Human activities such as agriculture and logging drive this change. Yet protected tropical areas saw up to an 82% reduction in fragmentation, underscoring the potential of targeted conservation.
Source: PubMed
Fragmentation increased in over half of global forests from 2000 to 2020
Authors: Zou, Y., Crowther, T.W., Smith, G.R., Ma, H., Mo, L., Bialic-Murphy, L., Potapov, P., Gawecka, K.A., Xu, C., Negret, P.J., Lauber, T., Wu, Z., Rebindaine, D., Zohner, C.M.
Journal: SCIENCE
Publication Date: 11/09/2025
Volume: 389
Issue: 6765
Pages: 1151-1156
eISSN: 1095-9203
ISSN: 0036-8075
DOI: 10.1126/science.adr6450
Source: Web of Science
Fragmentation increased in over half of global forests from 2000 to 2020.
Authors: Zou, Y., Crowther, T.W., Smith, G.R., Ma, H., Mo, L., Bialic-Murphy, L., Potapov, P., Gawecka, K.A., Xu, C., Negret, P.J., Lauber, T., Wu, Z., Rebindaine, D., Zohner, C.M.
Journal: Science (New York, N.Y.)
Publication Date: 09/2025
Volume: 389
Issue: 6765
Pages: 1151-1156
eISSN: 1095-9203
ISSN: 0036-8075
DOI: 10.1126/science.adr6450
Abstract:Habitat fragmentation, in which contiguous forests are broken into smaller, isolated patches, threatens biodiversity by disrupting species movement, shrinking populations, and altering ecosystem dynamics. Past assessments suggested declining global fragmentation, but they relied on structure-based metrics that overlook ecological connectivity. We analyzed global forest fragmentation from 2000 to 2020 using complementary metrics that captured patch connectivity, aggregation, and structure. Connectivity-based metrics revealed that 51 to 67% of forests globally-and 58 to 80% of tropical forests-became more fragmented, which is nearly twice the rate suggested by traditional structure-focused methods (30 to 35%). Aggregation-focused metrics confirmed increases in 57 to 83% of forests. Human activities such as agriculture and logging drive this change. Yet protected tropical areas saw up to an 82% reduction in fragmentation, underscoring the potential of targeted conservation.
Source: Europe PubMed Central