Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Habitat Fragmentation

Habitat Fragmentation

Habitat fragmentation describes the division of a more extensive, continuous habitat into smaller, discontinuous areas. Human activities such as land conversion, as well as slower geological processes leading to changes in the physical environment, are the two leading causes of habitat fragmentation. The fragmentation process typically follows the same steps: perforation, dissection, fragmentation, shrinkage, and attrition.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Understanding mammal avoidance of human settlements.

The Journal of animal ecology·2026

Same author

Individual movements drive community-level space and resource use across Yellowstone ungulates.

Current biology : CB·2026

Same author

Interacting effects of human presence and landscape modification on birds and mammals.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026

Same author

Resolving the Evolutionary History of Bighorn Sheep to Inform Future Management: An Answer to the California Bighorn Lineage Question.

Evolutionary applications·2026

Same author

The interplay of habitat quality and temperature shape demographic patterns of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in North America.

Communications biology·2026

Same author

Foraging offsets declining fitness: Evidence of behavioural compensation for reproductive senescence.

The Journal of animal ecology·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 5, 2026

The Double-H Maze: A Robust Behavioral Test for Learning and Memory in Rodents

The Double-H Maze: A Robust Behavioral Test for Learning and Memory in Rodents

Published on: July 8, 2015

Beyond Habitat: Memory Versus Environment in Shaping Animal Space Use.

Tana L Verzuh¹, Kevin L Monteith^2,3, Tayler N LaSharr¹

¹Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA.

Ecology Letters

|October 15, 2025

Summary

Animal space use is driven by both environment and memory. While habitat explained space use for some species, memory was key for others, suggesting experience shapes spatial preferences.

Keywords:

conservation habitat selection habitat specialisation movement site fidelity space use spatial memory ungulate

More Related Videos

Assessing Spatial Learning and Memory in Small Squamate Reptiles

Assessing Spatial Learning and Memory in Small Squamate Reptiles

Published on: January 3, 2017

A Behavioral Assay for Investigating the Role of Spatial Memory During Instinctive Defense in Mice

A Behavioral Assay for Investigating the Role of Spatial Memory During Instinctive Defense in Mice

Published on: July 21, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 5, 2026

The Double-H Maze: A Robust Behavioral Test for Learning and Memory in Rodents

The Double-H Maze: A Robust Behavioral Test for Learning and Memory in Rodents

Published on: July 8, 2015

Assessing Spatial Learning and Memory in Small Squamate Reptiles

Assessing Spatial Learning and Memory in Small Squamate Reptiles

Published on: January 3, 2017

A Behavioral Assay for Investigating the Role of Spatial Memory During Instinctive Defense in Mice

A Behavioral Assay for Investigating the Role of Spatial Memory During Instinctive Defense in Mice

Published on: July 21, 2018

Area of Science:

Ecology
Animal Behavior
Spatial Ecology

Background:

Ecologists traditionally explain animal space use by environmental factors (habitat).
Emerging research indicates animals also utilize memory of past experiences for movement decisions.
The comparative influence of habitat versus memory on animal space use remains unresolved.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the relative importance of environmental variables and memory in explaining space use for six large ungulate species.
To challenge traditional habitat selection theories by investigating the role of experiential learning in spatial preferences.

Main Methods:

Developed and compared two models for predicting animal space use: one with 16 environmental variables and another with 2 memory-based variables.
Utilized data from six large ungulate species in the Rocky Mountains, USA.

Main Results:

The influence of memory and environment on space use was comparable across species.
Habitat characteristics best explained the space use of specialist species.
Memory best explained the space use of species exhibiting strong site fidelity.

Conclusions:

Animal space use is influenced by both environmental cues and learned experiences (memory).
Habitat selection is not solely a response to the environment; it is also shaped by spatial memory.
Findings challenge traditional ecological models, highlighting the significant role of experience in forming animal spatial preferences.