Constructing Ecological Networks Based on Habitat Quality Assessment: A Case Study of Changzhou, China

Abstract

Fragmentation and reduced continuity of habitat patches threaten the environment and biodiversity. Recently, ecological networks are increasingly attracting the attention of researchers as they provide fundamental frameworks for environmental protection. This study suggests a set of procedures to construct an ecological network. First, we proposed a method to construct a landscape resistance surface based on the assessment of habitat quality. Second, to analyze the effect of the resistance surface on corridor simulations, we used three methods to construct resistance surfaces: (1) the method proposed in this paper, (2) the entropy coefficient method, and (3) the expert scoring method. Then, we integrated habitat patches and resistance surfaces to identify potential corridors using graph theory. These procedures were tested in Changzhou, China. Comparing the outputs of using different resistance surfaces demonstrated that: (1) different landscape resistance surfaces contribute to how corridors are identified, but only slightly affect the assessment of the importance of habitat patches and potential corridors; (2) the resistance surface, which is constructed based on habitat quality, is more applicable to corridor simulations; and (3) the assessment of the importance of habitat patches is fundamental for ecological network optimization in the conservation of critical habitat patches and corridors.

The InVEST Habitat Quality Model Associated with Land Use/Cover Changes: A Qualitative Case Study of the Winike Watershed in the Omo-Gibe Basin, Southwest Ethiopia

“…The key rationale for using this model include: (1) The model is relatively less data intensive and more flexible than other models; (2) it can easily be adapted to a specific context and readily available data either globally or locally [14]; and (3) the model shows the hydrological and ecological connectivity developed by Vigiak et al [62]. Moreover, the unique characteristic of the InVEST habitat quality model is to analyze the spatial habitat quality trends and connectivity for each land-use type and quantify the sensitivity to threats.…”

“…Therefore, this study helps decision makers, particularly regarding the lack of data on biodiversity. It further looks into the conflict between economic development and conservation of biodiversity.habitat and hampering habitat patches connectivity [14]. One of the possibilities that are available for practice is the use of so-called decision support systems (DSSs), which can help users manage land for environmental protection [15,16].Open-access remote sensing data processing tools offer opportunities for resolving some of the limitations and drawback of environmental modeling [17].…”

“…habitat and hampering habitat patches connectivity [14]. One of the possibilities that are available for practice is the use of so-called decision support systems (DSSs), which can help users manage land for environmental protection [15,16].…”

Natura 2000 Areas and Sites of National Interest (SNI): Measuring (un)Integration between Naturalness Preservation and Environmental Remediation Policies

“…As stated by Sallustio et al [38], habitat quality assessment can, without a doubt, be considered an effective tool in order to both evaluate the effectiveness of tangible conservation policies and programs and orient management strategies toward improving biodiversity preservation. The tool is adopted in scientific literature to analyze how the intensity of human activity influences habitat quality [39,40] and determine the effects of ongoing threats [41] and expected reclamation actions on the current levels of biodiversity.…”

Standardizing the evaluation of community‐based conservation success

“…, Gao et al. ), hindering dispersal, meta‐population dynamics, and gene flow. Possible indicators include measures of patch size or isolation, such as distance to the next nearest population of conspecifics or landscape genetic analyses.…”