The Use of Focal Species in Designing a Habitat Network for a Lowland Area of Lombardy, Italy

Abstract

Ecological networks consist of core areas connected by corridors and shielded by buffer zones. It is now largely accepted that extensive networks need to be established at different scales to conserve biodiversity. We propose using focal species to plan woodland ecological networks because such species encompass the structural and functional needs of entire ecological communities. To this end, we chose (1) the type of landscape to be conserved and (2) the suitable focal species for that task. The study area (2500 km 2 ) was north of Milan where human activity is heavy but wooded patches are mostly protected as regional parks. We used an interpreted satellite image to compare land-use patterns with the presence or abundance of focal species. This method produced "suitability maps" for focal species-woodland birds and mammalian carnivores-on which ecological corridors can be drawn as lines connecting core areas through the best available habitat in the matrix. These potential corridors are a useful guideline for implementation of a regional ecological network.Uso de Especies Focales en el Diseño de Redes de Hábitat para un Área Baja de Lombardia, Italia Resumen: Las redes ecológicas consisten de áreas núcleo conectadas por corredores y protegidas por áreas de amortiguamiento. Actualmente se acepta ampliamente que es necesario establecer redes extensas a diferentes escalas para conservar la biodiversidad. Proponemos el uso de especies focales para planear las redes ecológicas de zonas boscosas, puesto que estas especies incluyen necesidades estructurales y funcionales de comunidades ecológicas enteras. Con este fin, seleccionamos: (1) el tipo de paisaje a conservar y (2) las especies focales adecuadas para esta tarea. El área de estudio (2500 m 2 ) se encuentra al norte de Milán donde las actividades humanas son inteusas pero los parches están en su mayoría protegidas como parques regionales. Empleamos una imagen de satélite interpretada para comparar los patrones de uso del suelo con la presencia o abundancia de especies focales. Este método produjo "mapas de sostenibilidad" para especies focalesaves y mamíferos carnívoros de zonas arboladas-en los cuales se pueden dibujar corredores ecológicos como líneas que conectan áreas núcleo usando los mejores hábitats disponibles en la matriz. Estos corredores potenciales son una guía útil para la implementación de redes ecológicas regionales.

Medium and large-sized mammals of the Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçú, Cachoeiras de Macacu, RJ

“…Mittermeier 1986), due to their charismatic attributes. Due to its ability to move inside habitat mosaics, these mammals have been used also as landscape species, contributing to conservation planning in larger scales (Bani et al 2002, Sanderson et al 2002a, Crouzeilles et al 2010.…”

Effects of species turnover on reserve site selection in a fragmented landscape

“…In a second step, we restricted the analysis to threat sensitive 'focal' species (Lambeck 1997, Freudenberger andBrooker 2004), i.e. to species whose presence presumably depends on forest habitat (see also Bani et al 2002). By this approach threatening processes resulting from effects of habitat loss or fragmentation can be included into site selection.…”

Rural Landscape Multifunctionality: A Gis Based Approach for Assessing Areas Characterised by Ecological Functions

“…The selection of a focal species may be targeted on species with specific and well-known demands in habitat typology, distribution and that satisfy an array of species with similar needs [Bani 2002;Bruinderink 2003;Boitani 2007]. We assumed a species specific approach based on the use of habitat for the species roe deer (Capreolus capreolus).…”