Why are large territorial animals especially vulnerable to small forest fragments?

Large territorial animals are particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation caused by deforestation primarily due to their specific biological and spatial requirements:

• Low Population Densities: Large animals naturally require significantly more space to sustain a viable population compared to smaller species. Because they exist at lower population densities, a small forest fragment is often insufficient to support a group large enough to avoid the perils of small population size, such as genetic inbreeding or the failure to find mates.1
• Extensive Home Ranges: Large predators and herbivores often maintain vast home ranges. When these areas are subdivided into disconnected patches, these animals may be unable to secure enough resources within a single fragment.1
• Risks of Movement: When forced to travel between fragmented patches, large animals face increased exposure to threats in the surrounding matrix, such as human-related dangers or inhospitable conditions. Furthermore, their lower reproductive rates mean that if individuals are lost during these movements, the population requires much more time to recover.12