title: A framework for integrating thermal biology into fragmentation research.
abstract: Habitat fragmentation changes thermal conditions in remnant patches, and thermal conditions strongly influence organism morphology, distribution, and activity patterns. However, few studies explore temperature as a mechanism driving ecological responses to fragmentation. Here we offer a conceptual framework that integrates thermal biology into fragmentation research to better understand individual, species, community, and ecosystem-level responses to fragmentation. Specifically, the framework addresses how fragmentation changes temperature and how the effects of those temperature changes spread through the ecosystem, from organism response via thermal sensitivity, to changes in species distribution and activity patterns, to shifts in community structure following species' responses, and ultimately to changes in ecosystem functions. We place a strong emphasis on future research directions by outlining "Critical gaps" for each step of the framework. Empirical efforts to apply and test this framework promise new understanding of fragmentation's ecological consequences and new strategies for conservation in an increasingly fragmented and warmer world.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, CO, 80309, USA.
authors.forename: K T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Tuff
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, CO, 80309, USA.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tuff
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, CO, 80309, USA.
authors.forename: K F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Davies
mesh_terms: D017753:Ecosystem; D008954:Models, Biological; D012107:Research Design; D013696:Temperature
keywords: Climate change; conservation; edge effect; extinction; habitat fragmentation; spatial; temperature; thermal biology; thermal safety margin; warming tolerance