Environment and Ecology Research Vol. 5(5), pp. 377 - 385
DOI: 10.13189/eer.2017.050507
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Forest Management: Forest Fragmentation and Biodiversity Corridor Function of Riparian Forest in Lesser Antilles

L. Rolle ^*
Faculty of Physics and Biology of Organisms and Ecosystems, University of the French West Indies, Guadeloupe

ABSTRACT

This case study is a part of a thesis we lead a botanical and ecological synthesis of Lesser-Antilles riparian forests by studying the forest connectivity in riparian area. The study employed geographic information system processing methods for assessing the integrity of riparian forest and the importance of this corridor function on the rainforest. The corridor function analysis is based on the structural fragmentation and the potential connectivity of the watershed patch forest. The principle of potential connectivity is constructed on the probability of a direct dispersion of floral and animal species between forest patch which is life habitat. This method allowed connectivity indices based on distance calculation between forest patches. The results order habitat patches by their significant weight in the connectivity graph. The question arises as to whether the riparian forest patch is a key habitat to maintain the connectivity quality of the watershed. Do they play their biological function of the corridor in the Lesser Antilles of Guadeloupe and Martinique?

KEYWORDS
Forest Fragmentation, Riparian Forest, Lesser Antilles, Corridor Function, GIS

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] L. Rolle , "Forest Management: Forest Fragmentation and Biodiversity Corridor Function of Riparian Forest in Lesser Antilles," Environment and Ecology Research, Vol. 5, No. 5, pp. 377 - 385, 2017. DOI: 10.13189/eer.2017.050507.

(b). APA Format:
L. Rolle (2017). Forest Management: Forest Fragmentation and Biodiversity Corridor Function of Riparian Forest in Lesser Antilles. Environment and Ecology Research, 5(5), 377 - 385. DOI: 10.13189/eer.2017.050507.