What is it?

Habitat fragmentation is "the discontinuity, resulting from a given set of mechanisms, in the spatial distribution of resources and conditions present in an area at a given scale that affects occupancy, reproduction, or survival in a particular species" (Franklin et al. 2002). Habitat fragmentation can occur with reservoir construction, construction of small dams, changes in river hydrology, replacing streambanks or substrate with artificial materials like concrete or rip-rap, road crossings, or introduction of exotic/non-native species. Habitat fragmentation can decrease native species diversity, disrupt aquatic animal migration and dispersal, and disrupt genetic flow between populations.

Conservation Benefits:

• Areas of increased species diversity
• Provides fish and wildlife habitat
• Natural flood control
• Prevents streambank erosion
• Protects aesthetically pleasing areas
• Protects food sources for terrestrial and aquatic organisms
• Protects aquatic organism dispersal, migration, and genetic flow
• Promotes good land stewardship
• Provides recreational and ecotourism opportunities

What does it include?

There are many BMPs that can be implemented to prevent or restore fragmented instream habitats.

• Conservation easements
• Implement instream habitat restoration and protection
• Minimize human disturbances (e.g. vegetation removal, dredging, stream and ground water pumping)
• Native plant revegetation
• Ordinances
• Remove small dams
• Replace detrimental road crossings and culverts
• Replace artificial materials like concrete and rip-rap with natural materials and vegetation
• Riparian buffers
• Riparian setbacks