Local Distribution of Amphibians: The Importance of Habitat Fragmentation

Abstract

(1) An analysis was made, using the method of logistic regression, of the local distribution pattern of amphibians in potential breeding habitats in northern Bavaria. Habitat parameters (altitude, pool area, amount of pool area covered by emerged macrophytes, etc.) seemed to be of minor importance in predicting the presence of a certain species. (2) As habitat fragmentation into different breeding pools increased, the probability that a species occupied a particular habitat also increased. (3) It is suggested that habitat fragmentation decreases the extinction and/or increases the colonization probability in a potential breeding habitat.