Fragmentation
Definition
The transformation of a contiguous patch of forest into several smaller, disjointed patches surrounded by other land uses.
Source
Glossary. M.S. Ashton et al. (eds.), Managing Forest Carbon in a Changing Climate,DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-2232-3, © Springer Science + Business Media B.V. 2012
Alternative definition
Refers to any process those results in the conversion of formerly continuous forest into patches of forest separated by non-forested lands.
Alternative source
Manual on deforestation, degradation, and fragmentation using remote sensing and GIS, FAO, 2007 (http://www.fao.org/forestry/18222-045c26b711a976bb9d0d17386ee8f0e37.pdf).