Middle-Sized Carnivores in Agricultural Landscapes

Nowadays, habitat loss is one of the main threats to terrestrial vertebrates'' survival. Due to the decreasing of continuous natural areas, and consequent habitat loss, how animals use these remaining patches, is becoming a central question for the conservation of these species. The loss of the original land covers can promote a change in the composition, diversity and behaviour of the native fauna, as well as constrain the community structures. The outcome of these processes of habitat fragmentation due to human agro-forestry management is a landscape where patches of autochthonous/native vegetation are immersed in a matrix of human shaped landscapes. Although some carnivores are sensitive to fragmentation, some species can benefit with the expansion of agriculture. This book discusses the importance and role of those agricultural matrix for species conservation.