ABSTRACT
The protection of biological diversity is considered to be an overarching goal of ecosystem management. Because species diversity is perceived as a fundamental component to maintaining viable ecosystems over the long term, the identification and protection of biodiversity is at the core of planning for ecosystem integrity. The most important concept originating from the landscape ecology and conservation biology literatures is that habitats do not stand alone, but are connected by the movement of species, water, and natural materials. Large patches support larger populations, which are more persistent in the face of human disturbance, such as suburban sprawl. The survival of meta-populations is based on the size of the habitat matrix, its isolation or degree of connection to other habitats, and the level of human disturbance to the habitat. Including human disturbance in a conceptual model is not enough to isolate the effect of disturbance in relation to other environmental factors on local ecosystem plan quality.
