Abstract

Species living in metapopulations depend on connected habitat networks for their survival. If habitat networks experience fast temporal dynamics, species conservation requires preventing habitat discontinuities that could lead to metapopulation extinctions. However, few institutional solutions exist for the maintenance of spatiotemporally dynamic habitat networks outside of protected areas. To explore this often neglected problem, we studied the institutional fit of false heath fritillary (Melitaea diamina) conservation in Finland from the perspective of conservation institutions' ability to manage early successional habitat availability for this endangered species. We identified four institutional arrangements that enable effective conservation management of dynamic habitat networks: (1) acknowledgment of habitat dynamics, (2) monitoring of and responding to changes in the habitat network, (3) management of resources for fluctuating resource needs, and (4) scaling of activities through flexible collaborations. These arrangements provide the institutional flexibility needed for responding to temporal changes in habitat availability.

Keywords

conservation; dynamic habitat networks; false heath fritillary; functional fit; habitat overgrowth; institutional fit; Melitaea diamina; metapopulation dynamics; spatial fit; temporal fit

Published in

Ecology and Society
2017, Volume: 22, number: 2, article number: 30

SLU Authors

• Fabritius, Henna

  • SLU Swedish Species Information Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • University of Helsinki

UKÄ Subject classification

Ecology


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-09203-220230

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/89684