Ecological corridors and landscape planning: a model to select priority areas for connectivity maintenance

Abstract

Context Maintaining connectivity in landscapes where natural ecosystems are quickly replaced by human land-uses is a challenge. To reduce the effects of habitat loss, ecological corridors have been proposed as a relevant tool for landscape planning. Objective We aimed to develop a spatial model to identify and prioritize riparian corridors to improve landscape connectivity. Methods The model considers the effect of the landuse/cover types and remaining forests on the movement capacity of a focal species sensitive to fragmentation. Since landscape elements act as barriers or promoters to ecological fluxes, suitability values were set according to the element's ability in providing habitat. The model recognizes the effect of the contact between associated elements along the riparian corridor's width and length and corrects their suitability. These procedures enabled the calculation of the Utility Factor, resulting in a measure of the quality of the corridor. ResultsThe results show that the model assists the identification of the riparian corridor's sections where connectivity is hampered and management efforts are required to maintain landscape connectivity. In addition, it can be applied to select the corridors dominated by large forests, which could be designed for conservation purposes. The two study cases evidence that the model is flexible, adjustable to distinct landscapes, and the decision-maker's objectives. Conclusions We concluded that the proposed strategy helps decision-makers to prioritize the territories for managing or preserving connectivity. Finally, the method provides quantitative information that would not be perceived by just interpreting land-use/cover maps.

Maxent modeling for predicting suitable habitats for wild ungulates: a case study of typical canyons in the Sanjiangyuan Nature Reserve of China

“…The creation of ecological corridors to protect ungulates has been widely recommended in the literature [41][42][43] . The study suggests that ecological corridors that improve landscape connectivity can help facilitate the ow of species between suitable areas under climate change and anthropogenic activities 44 . Faced with dramatic habitat shrinkage, animals from high-suitability areas may migrate to midand high-suitability areas.…”

Construction and Optimization of an Ecological Network in the Yellow River Source Region Based on MSPA and MCR Modelling

“…For example, Marc et al [ 9 ] measured local, regional, and inter-sample network diversity (α-, γ-, and β-diversity) to describe how ecological interactions change over space and time. Isadora et al [ 10 ] developed a spatial model that identifies and prioritizes riparian corridors to improve landscape connectivity. Ecological network construction simplifies ecological patches in a region into ecological nodes to build an ecological corridor and ecological network.…”

Análise da vegetação em área de mata ciliar no Baixo São Francisco, em Sergipe

“…Essas formações vegetais funcionam, ecologicamente, como corredores para o fluxo da fauna e dispersão vegetal ao longo da paisagem. Servem também de refúgio para alguns animais que procuram esses ambientes como fonte de abrigo e alimentos (Gregory et al 1992, Vogel et al 2009, Salviano et al 2021, influenciando diretamente na ocorrência de espécies vegetais que se utilizam desses elementos como agentes polinizadores e promovendo a dispersão vegetal (Vogel et al 2009, Genes e Dirzo 2020).…”