Human impacts on isolation and diversity of wildlife populations

栖息地破碎化（例如，良好的栖息地碎片化）、种群隔离和规模减少、遗传多样性丧失和种群灭绝之间的联系是生态学理论的基础。然而，直到最近才有一些实证研究明确地表明，栖息地破碎化的持久影响，特别是通过对种群遗传多样性的影响——这是我研究计划的重点。由于片段之间的移动减少（缺乏连通性）和片段中的个体减少，种群可能会在遗传上孤立——这是已知的影响灭绝风险的因素。我的研究项目调查了三种物种的种群连通性、遗传隔离、遗传多样性和丰度，它们具有不同的栖息地要求、在食物网中的作用和保护状况：狼（栖息地通用型）、狼獾（栖息地保护型）和驯鹿（栖息地濒危型，狼的猎物）。对于那些受到保护或受到威胁的物种，比如狼獾和驯鹿，它们的种群数量已经减少，碎片化的后果尤其严重。然而，大型陆生哺乳动物是高度移动和远距离分散者，这提供了连通性。我将确定三个研究物种的栖息地选择，并评估范围之间缺乏关键栖息地。从保护生物学的角度来看，我对栖息地的关注是基本的，因为我将描述的条件可以通过管理来实现环境的可持续性。通过改善碎片之间的栖息地，可以重新建立连通性。在碎片之间的环境中，捕食的结果可能受到人类特征的影响。加拿大西部的驯鹿种群似乎经历了遗传隔离，原因是(a)碎片之间的栖息地不佳，(b)碎片之间的景观有被狼捕食的风险（狼数量众多，利用道路更有效地捕食）。其他物种（如狼獾）对人类的影响也很敏感，如果这些物种密度很高，也可能受到狼的限制。我将进一步研究狼与驯鹿的关系是否会影响驯鹿的遗传隔离，以及这些机制是否可以广泛地转移到其他相互作用的生物（如果这种关系是假设的），例如狼和狼獾。总的来说，我的研究计划调查了栖息地的改变及其对遗传隔离的影响，尽管物种具有很高的传播能力，并且通过独特地评估物种之间的反应和相互作用来推进科学（及其在保护方面的应用），因为这些相互作用可能有助于隔离。我的研究项目可以直接应用于濒危陆生物种的保护，这些物种的种群数量已经减少，并且正在变得基因隔离，栖息地可以恢复以允许连接。

The links between habitat fragmentation (e.g. good habitat remaining in fragments), population isolation and decrease in size, loss of genetic diversity and extirpation of populations are foundational for ecological theory. However, only recently have some empirical studies emerged unequivocally indicating the lasting impacts of habitat fragmentation through effects on genetic diversity of populations in particular -the focus of my research program. Owing to decreased movement between fragments (lack of connectivity) and fewer individuals in fragments, populations could become genetically isolated -which is known to influence risk of extirpation. My research program investigates population connectivity, genetic isolation, genetic diversity and abundance of three species, with different habitat requirements, roles in the food web and conservation statuses: wolves (a habitat-generalist), wolverines (a habitat-specialist species of conservation concern) and caribou (a threatened habitat-specialist, and prey of wolves). Fragmentation would be particularly consequential in species of conservation concern or threatened, such as wolverines and caribou, where populations have reduced sizes. However, species of large terrestrial mammals are highly mobile and long-range dispersers, which provide connectivity. I will determine habitat selection for the three study species and evaluate lack of critical habitat between ranges. My focus on habitat is fundamental from a conservation biology point of view, as the conditions that I will describe could be managed to achieve environmental sustainability. Connectivity could be re-established by improving habitat between fragments. In the environment between fragments, the outcome of predation might be impacted by human features. Caribou populations in western Canada seem to experience genetic isolation, owing to (a) poor habitat between fragments and (b) wolf predation risk over the landscape between fragments (wolves are abundant and use roads to predate more efficiently). Other species (e.g. wolverines) are also sensitive to human impacts, and may also be limited by wolves if these occur at high densities. I will further investigate if wolf-caribou relationships influence genetic isolation of caribou, and if these mechanisms are broadly transferable to other interacting organisms (if the relationships are hypothesized), for example to wolves and wolverines. Overall, my research program investigates habitat alterations and their effects on genetic isolation, despite high dispersal abilities of species, and also advances science (and its application towards conservation) by uniquely evaluating responses and interactions among species, as these interactions may contribute to isolation. My research program has immediate applications for conservation of threatened terrestrial species, where populations have reduced sizes and are becoming genetically isolated, and habitat could be restored to allow for connectivity.