BIOFRAG – a new database for analyzing BIOdiversity responses to forest FRAGmentation
Authors: Pfeifer Marion , Lefebvre Veronique , Gardner Toby A. , Arroyo‐Rodriguez Victor , Baeten Lander , Banks‐Leite Cristina , Barlow Jos , Betts Matthew G. , Brunet Joerg , Cerezo Alexis , Cisneros Laura M. , Collard Stuart , D'Cruze Neil , da Silva Motta Catarina , Duguay Stephanie , Eggermont Hilde , Eigenbrod Felix , Hadley Adam S. , Hanson Thor R. , Hawes Joseph E. , Heartsill Scalley Tamara , Klingbeil Brian T. , Kolb Annette , Kormann Urs , Kumar Sunil , Lachat Thibault , Lakeman Fraser Poppy , Lantschner Victoria , Laurance William F. , Leal Inara R. , Lens Luc , Marsh Charles J. , Medina‐Rangel Guido F. , Melles Stephanie , Mezger Dirk , Oldekop Johan A. , Overal William L. , Owen Charlotte , Peres Carlos A. , Phalan Ben , Pidgeon Anna M. , Pilia Oriana , Possingham Hugh P. , Possingham Max L. , Raheem Dinarzarde C. , Ribeiro Danilo B. , Ribeiro Neto Jose D. , Douglas Robinson W , Robinson Richard , Rytwinski Trina , Scherber Christoph , Slade Eleanor M. , Somarriba Eduardo , Stouffer Philip C. , Struebig Matthew J. , Tylianakis Jason M. , Tscharntke Teja , Tyre Andrew J. , Urbina Cardona Jose N. , Vasconcelos Heraldo L. , Wearn Oliver , Wells Konstans , Willig Michael R. , Wood Eric , Young Richard P. , Bradley Andrew V. , Ewers Robert M. 
Published: March 2014

Habitat fragmentation studies have produced complex results that are challenging to synthesize. Inconsistencies among studies may result from variation in the choice of landscape metrics and response variables, which is often compounded by a lack of key statistical or methodological information. Collating primary datasets on biodiversity responses to fragmentation in a consistent and flexible database permits simple data retrieval for subsequent analyses. We present a relational database that links such field data to taxonomic nomenclature, spatial and temporal plot attributes, and environmental characteristics. Field assessments include measurements of the response(s) (e.g., presence, abundance, ground cover) of one or more species linked to plots in fragments within a partially forested landscape. The database currently holds 9830 unique species recorded in plots of 58 unique landscapes in six of eight realms: mammals 315, birds 1286, herptiles 460, insects 4521, spiders 204, other arthropods 85, gastropods 70, annelids 8, platyhelminthes 4, Onychophora 2, vascular plants 2112, nonvascular plants and lichens 320, and fungi 449. Three landscapes were sampled as long‐term time series (>10 years). Seven hundred and eleven species are found in two or more landscapes. Consolidating the substantial amount of primary data available on biodiversity responses to fragmentation in the context of land‐use change and natural disturbances is an essential part of understanding the effects of increasing anthropogenic pressures on land. The consistent format of this database facilitates testing of generalizations concerning biologic responses to fragmentation across diverse systems and taxa. It also allows the re‐examination of existing datasets with alternative landscape metrics and robust statistical methods, for example, helping to address pseudo‐replication problems. The database can thus help researchers in producing broad syntheses of the effects of land use. The database is dynamic and inclusive, and contributions from individual and large‐scale data‐collection efforts are welcome.