Background: Habitat fragmentation is among the foremost drivers of global biodiversity loss, disrupting ecological networks and isolating populations across terrestrial and aquatic landscapes.
Objective: This study investigates the mechanistic relationships between habitat fragmentation and diversity patterns in insects and vertebrate animals, evaluating connectivity metrics and population trends across fragmented and intact landscapes in central India.
Methods: Field surveys were conducted across 14 study sites (seven fragmented, seven connected) using standardized transect sampling, pitfall trapping, and mark-recapture protocols. Landscape metrics were quantified using GIS-based patch analysis and remote sensing imagery. Shannon diversity indices (H'), species richness (S), habitat connectivity indices, and mean patch area were computed for comparative analysis.
Results: Fragmented habitats exhibited significantly lower Shannon diversity indices (mean H' = 1.1 ± 0.3) compared to connected habitats (H' = 2.8 ± 0.4). Species richness declined by 48–67% in patches smaller than 20 ha. Insect abundance showed the steepest reductions (up to 72%), followed by small mammals (54%) and reptiles (41%). Connectivity indices below 0.35 were consistently associated with negative population trends.
Conclusion: Habitat fragmentation profoundly restructures biodiversity at landscape scales. Strategic corridor establishment, edge mitigation, and minimum viable area thresholds are critical conservation levers requiring urgent policy integration.