Effect of fragmentation on landscape connectivity in the city of Debrecen

Abstract

Urbanization has transformed the natural environment leading to landscape fragmentation and loss which significantly affects biodiversity in urban environments, therefore it is important to conserve these natural areas. In this paper geographic information system was utilized to determine whether the forest network of Debrecen is connected by looking at the dispersal distance of a ground beetle species (Carabidae). The analysis showed which habitat patches are the most important to maintain continuous landscape connectivity. In order for biodiversity to flourish enhancing and maintaining landscape connectivity is a key solution.