Which species are more negatively affected by habitat fragmentation: edge or core species? Explain.

Habitat fragmentation is the process of breaking up large, contiguous habitats into smaller, isolated patches. This occurs due to human activities such as deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture; as well as natural processes like wildfires and landslides. Fragmentation can have several negative effects on wildlife populations, such as reducing the overall habitat area, increasing edge habitats, and isolating populations, which can lead to reduced genetic diversity and an increased risk of local extinction.

Edge species are those that typically inhabit or prefer the areas where two different habitat types meet, such as the border between a forest and a meadow. These species can benefit from the resources provided by both habitats and may have adaptations that allow them to thrive in these transitional areas. Examples of edge species include many species of birds, mammals, and insects.

Core species, on the other hand, depend on large, undisturbed areas of a single habitat type to survive and reproduce. These species are more sensitive to changes in their environment, and habitat fragmentation can result in population declines or local extinction due to the reduction of available suitable habitat and isolation from other populations. Examples of core species include forest-dwelling species such as certain amphibians, birds, and mammals.

Habitat fragmentation can have mixed effects on edge species. On one hand, it may create more edges or transitional areas where they can thrive, which can lead to an increase in their populations. However, fragmentation can also lead to a decrease in the overall habitat area and make the habitat unsuitable for some edge species due to the increased edge effect. The edge effect is the change in environmental conditions and species composition that occurs at the boundary between two habitat types. This change may result in more competition for resources, increased predation, and exposure to invasive species or diseases.

Habitat fragmentation is generally more detrimental to core species. As core species rely on large, undisturbed habitat patches to survive and reproduce, the reduction in overall habitat area and isolation of populations can lead to substantial declines in their numbers. Additionally, fragmentation can result in the loss of critical habitat features, such as breeding and foraging sites, and an increased risk of inbreeding due to the isolation of populations. All these factors can contribute to a higher risk of local extinction for core species. In conclusion, while habitat fragmentation can have both positive and negative effects on edge species, core species are generally more negatively affected by habitat fragmentation. They rely on large, undisturbed habitats for their survival and reproduction, and the loss of these habitats can lead to population declines and an increased risk of local extinction.