Corridor Ecology: The Science and Practice of Linking Landscapes for Biodiversity Conservation
... Biodiversity is rapidly declining in North America and globally (Butchart et al., 2010;Cardinale et al., 2012;Kolbert, 2014), evidenced by the loss of almost 30% of the North American avifauna since 1970 (Rosenberg et al., 2019). This is partially attributed to habitat loss, fragmentation, and other forms of disturbance from land use change (Crooks et al., 2017;Hilty et al., 2006). Over the past 50 years, human demand has "caused unprecedented rates of land and freshwater use" and increased land conversion into agriculture and forestry that have "contributed to increasing net [greenhouse gas] emissions, loss of natural ecosystems…and declining biodiversity" (IPCC, 2019, pp. ...
... 2-3). Land conservation is one solution to slow that loss (Hilty et al., 2006) and the most historically prevalent form is public land protection (Protected Areas Database, 2023; IUCN Protected Areas Categories 2004). However there is a growing interest in private lands conservation since findings such as Rissman et al. (2007) suggest that "some or all of the habitat for 85% of federally listed endangered species is found on private land" (p. ...
... This finding challenges an implicit assumption that CEs promote ecological conservation, biodiversity, and habitat preservation (Bastian et al., 2016;Kiesecker et al., 2007;Stroman & Kreuter, 2014). However, open space preservation is the second reason cited for CE use in Kiesecker et al.'s (2007) study and, as Hilty et al. (2006) and the IPCC (2019) note, it may be increasingly imperative in a time of land use fragmentation/change and climate change. Additionally, a CE's primary purpose does not preclude complementary purposes (which were not assessed in this article), and most CEs in the population had numerous listed purposes. ...
Native ecosystem and biodiversity loss from land use conversion into human‐modified landscapes are evident in the United States and globally. In addition to public land conservation, there is an increase in private land conservation through conservation easements (CEs) across exurban landscapes. Not every CE was established strictly for biodiversity protection and permitted land uses can increase human modification. No research of which we are aware has examined the actual tax assessor's land use designations (LUDs) through time. We constructed granular CE datasets (GCED) of CEs and their parcels' tax assessment LUDs for 1997–2008/2009, based on original data from 12 counties in six US states. Using the GCED, we examined patterns in the LUDs, with implications for land uses that could impact CE biological outcomes. We show that LUDs on exurban private conservation lands were predominately residential and agricultural, with increased residential over time. Critically, the LUDs lack a biological conservation exempt designation/category. There is no consistent trend in association between the primary CE reason and its parcel's LUD, suggesting that they coincide in some circumstances but in others, the CE may be a response to contravene the LUD. The majority of the first CE reasons are focused on open space preservation, except in some counties where agricultural land uses and agricultural CEs are associated. The economically and human‐focused LUD is one of many social factors that should be considered in a classification system for private land conservation and CEs more specifically. These results prompt the land conservation, conservation biology, and environmental planning communities to explore assessed land uses' impact on biodiversity conservation objectives.
... Para el diseño y la propuesta de corredores biológicos, se deben definir las especies objetivo y sus requerimientos de hábitat (Beier et al., 2008;Hilty et al., 2012). Éstos se cumplen en la presente investigación, al considerar 13 especies representativas de la región binacional como especies objetivo y valores de idoneidad de hábitat como base de la propuesta de modelación y definición de las áreas idóneas para el establecimiento de corredores. ...
... Éstos se cumplen en la presente investigación, al considerar 13 especies representativas de la región binacional como especies objetivo y valores de idoneidad de hábitat como base de la propuesta de modelación y definición de las áreas idóneas para el establecimiento de corredores. Se debe considerar la calidad del hábitat en el corredor, pues determina si la especie de interés lo utilizará o no (Hilty et al., 2012). Este elemento generalmente no se asocia al diseño de corredores y supone un problema de manejo para las especies que se buscan proteger. ...
... Otro factor importante en la definición de un corredor es el tipo de diseño, ya que los corredores con diseño de tipo lineal o como carretera no son benéficos para la mayoría de las especies, y pueden, incluso, dificultar el movimiento de las especies objetivo, a la vez que facilitan el movimiento y establecimiento de especies no deseadas. Por ello, corredores que permiten patrones de movimiento aleatorio son más adecuados (Aune et al., 2011;Hilty et al., 2012). ...
La Microcuenca Estero El Salado localizada en la ciudad turística de Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, alberga el Área Natural Protegida (ANP) homónima. Sin embargo, su alta biodiversidad y servicios ecosistémicos están amenazados por actividades antrópicas que han acelerado el cambio de coberturas y usos de suelo. Este trabajo evaluó la dinámica del paisaje y la fragmentación de esta área en el periodo 2000 2021. Se generaron mapas temáticos de coberturas y usos del suelo con imágenes de satélite Landsat 5 y 8 para los años 2000 y 2021, y se calcularon métricas de composición y configuración del paisaje. La microcuenca evidencia una predominancia de los usos de suelo urbano, pastizal y agrícola, que pasaron de ocupar un 73.56% de la superficie (2000) a un 78.33% (2021). Las coberturas y usos de suelo registraron cambios en el 38.86% de la superficie. Los cuerpos de agua y bosque tropical disminuyeron su superficie un 75% y 23.86% respectivamente, mientras que el uso urbano la incrementó un 82%. La cobertura de vegetación acuática registró cambios en su configuración espacial, caracterizados por la disminución del número de parches (NP= 127 vs 26) y el aumento del área de los mismos (ÁREA= 2.25 vs 15.05 ha), con mayor agregación hacia la parte baja de la microcuenca (IA= 81.91 vs 95.38), evidenciando que el ANP brinda una protección efectiva a este ecosistema. Las coberturas y usos de suelo presentaron una disminución en el número de parches (NP= 942 vs 849) y un aumento en la distancia entre ellos, principalmente en la selva tropical (ENN_MN= 107.60 vs 180.86 m). El paisaje de la microcuenca mantiene una baja conectividad (Connect= 11.52%-48.65% vs .3.57%-18,15%), por lo que es necesario elaborar instrumentos de planeación territorial que regulen los cambios de uso de suelo, particularmente en las partes altas de la microcuenca.
... Para el diseño y la propuesta de corredores biológicos, se deben definir las especies objetivo y sus requerimientos de hábitat (Beier et al., 2008;Hilty et al., 2012). Éstos se cumplen en la presente investigación, al considerar 13 especies representativas de la región binacional como especies objetivo y valores de idoneidad de hábitat como base de la propuesta de modelación y definición de las áreas idóneas para el establecimiento de corredores. ...
... Éstos se cumplen en la presente investigación, al considerar 13 especies representativas de la región binacional como especies objetivo y valores de idoneidad de hábitat como base de la propuesta de modelación y definición de las áreas idóneas para el establecimiento de corredores. Se debe considerar la calidad del hábitat en el corredor, pues determina si la especie de interés lo utilizará o no (Hilty et al., 2012). Este elemento generalmente no se asocia al diseño de corredores y supone un problema de manejo para las especies que se buscan proteger. ...
... Otro factor importante en la definición de un corredor es el tipo de diseño, ya que los corredores con diseño de tipo lineal o como carretera no son benéficos para la mayoría de las especies, y pueden, incluso, dificultar el movimiento de las especies objetivo, a la vez que facilitan el movimiento y establecimiento de especies no deseadas. Por ello, corredores que permiten patrones de movimiento aleatorio son más adecuados (Aune et al., 2011;Hilty et al., 2012). ...
Dentro de la línea de investigación “ecología del paisaje urbano”, la propuesta aborda la problemática del sprawl y la creciente importancia de las ciudades para la biodiversidad del planeta. En esta dirección, se estudia el rol de la densidad y el papel ecológico de las pequeñas áreas verdes urbanas, como los jardines. La necesidad de compacidad para la preserva�ción del territorio es lugar común en la bibliografía internacional. Por otro lado, Formann (2022) demostró que las grandes áreas verdes públicas, como los parques, contribuyen a la biodiversidad y a la mejora del (micro) clima urbano, pero las áreas verdes más pequeñas contribuyen a la permeabilidad del suelo y, por lo tanto, también al (macro)drenaje. Otros estudios señalan que, vinculados a la introducción y mantenimiento de especies exóticas, los jardines tienen un papel destacado en la polinización, influyendo (in)directamente en la conservación de la biodiversidad, entre otros beneficios para la salud humana. La metodología consiste en, a partir de esta visión, reforzar el papel de la densidad + áreas verdes urbanas en la promoción de la conservación/ conectividad del paisaje, orientando a nuestros estudiantes del Curso de Arquitectura de la Universidad de Santa María, Brasil, a desarrollar proyectos de vivienda social que brinden una concatenación de espacios verdes en varias escalas y alcances –público, privado, etcétera–. Resultados: Algunas tipologías se comportan mejor en términos de densidad o áreas verdes, funcionando los jardines como complemento de los espacios verdes públicos como parques y plazas. Conclusiones: Se trata pues de proponer una “matriz” urbana, o tipologías asociadas a zonas verdes con una morfología característica, que no es solo una cuestión de densidad, ni de metros cuadrados verdes por habitante, sino de la calidad de estos espacios como forma de contribuir a la constitución de una base ecológica para las ciudades.
... Para el diseño y la propuesta de corredores biológicos, se deben definir las especies objetivo y sus requerimientos de hábitat (Beier et al., 2008;Hilty et al., 2012). Éstos se cumplen en la presente investigación, al considerar 13 especies representativas de la región binacional como especies objetivo y valores de idoneidad de hábitat como base de la propuesta de modelación y definición de las áreas idóneas para el establecimiento de corredores. ...
... Éstos se cumplen en la presente investigación, al considerar 13 especies representativas de la región binacional como especies objetivo y valores de idoneidad de hábitat como base de la propuesta de modelación y definición de las áreas idóneas para el establecimiento de corredores. Se debe considerar la calidad del hábitat en el corredor, pues determina si la especie de interés lo utilizará o no (Hilty et al., 2012). Este elemento generalmente no se asocia al diseño de corredores y supone un problema de manejo para las especies que se buscan proteger. ...
... Otro factor importante en la definición de un corredor es el tipo de diseño, ya que los corredores con diseño de tipo lineal o como carretera no son benéficos para la mayoría de las especies, y pueden, incluso, dificultar el movimiento de las especies objetivo, a la vez que facilitan el movimiento y establecimiento de especies no deseadas. Por ello, corredores que permiten patrones de movimiento aleatorio son más adecuados (Aune et al., 2011;Hilty et al., 2012). ...
El presente libro reúne una serie de trabajos cuidadosamente seleccionados, los cuales fueron presentados por estudiantes e investigadores de México y Latinoamérica dentro del marco del Primer Simposio Nacional sobre Estudios en Conectividad del Paisaje. El Simposio se desarrolló en el Centro de Investigaciones en Geografía Ambiental de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, campus Morelia, del 13 al 15 de septiembre de 2022. La obra está conformada por 14 capítulos que fueron seleccionados después de ser revisados por pares académicos a doble ciego, bajo estrictas normas editoriales y dictaminados por evaluadores expertos en el tema, a los cuales les agradecemos su tiempo y dedicación. Los trabajos abordan temas sobre análisis de la fragmentación, conectividad estructural y funcional del paisaje, además de conectividad hidrológica, y elaboración de propuestas de corredores y sitios prioritarios para la conservación del paisaje.
... Perhaps culminating this section of his career, with Jodi Hilty and Adina Merenlender he co-edited the first volume on the growing field of corridor ecology (Hilty et al. 2006). This book has had a substantial influence on the field, and recently was updated and revised in a second edition (Hilty et al. 2019). ...
... Perhaps culminating this section of his career, with Jodi Hilty and Adina Merenlender he co-edited the first volume on the growing field of corridor ecology (Hilty et al. 2006). This book has had a substantial influence on the field, and recently was updated and revised in a second edition (Hilty et al. 2019). This trajectory illustrates how Bill continued to expand his research focus; while remaining largely focused on small mammals and population ecology, he contributed importantly to placing this in the proper spatial framework that furthered understanding of nuance in population ecology and demographic cycles. ...
... Bill continued to publish papers and chapters on conservation, initially emphasizing conservation of rodents but gradually broadening his focus to all mammals and, finally, to humanity itself. A few select contributions include: "Revisiting the human dimensions of conservation biology" (Lidicker 1998); "Some neglected aspects of rodent conservation" (an extended abstract -Lidicker 2006); "Issues in rodent conservation" (Lidicker 2007); "Hope and realism in conservation biology" (Lidicker 2011); "Mammalian conservation: scientific frontiers and sociopolitical pitfalls" (Introduction to a Special Contribution on mammal conservation -Lidicker 2015); "A scientist's warning to humanity on population growth" (Lidicker 2020). ...
Dr. William (Bill) Lidicker, Jr., was a classically trained mammal biologist who played an important role in pushing the field of mammalogy from largely descriptive beginnings into conceptual arenas soundly rooted in theory and principles. Whereas many readers will know Bill primarily as the architect of a “multifactorial approach” to understanding population cyclicity in arvicoline rodents, less well-known is how Bill’s thematic focus shifted over the years. In an career that often prioritizes high-level productivity, I argue that Bill’s willingness to pursue novel themes provides an compelling model of how to live a rich and fulfilling life in academia.
... Studies have shown that movements are necessary to search for resources and mates, and to avoid predators or competitors, all of which are associated with survival and breeding (Fahrig 2007). However, the ability of species to move through their habitats is influenced by various human-induced activities such as agriculture (Hilty et al. 2006;Scanes 2018), invariably affecting species richness and diversity in any given area (Jackson and Fahrig 2013). It is therefore necessary to conserve or restore degrading habitats to improve connectivity via corridors across protected and unprotected areas (Hilty et al. 2006). ...
... However, the ability of species to move through their habitats is influenced by various human-induced activities such as agriculture (Hilty et al. 2006;Scanes 2018), invariably affecting species richness and diversity in any given area (Jackson and Fahrig 2013). It is therefore necessary to conserve or restore degrading habitats to improve connectivity via corridors across protected and unprotected areas (Hilty et al. 2006). The connectivity of habitat patches encourages the exchange of individuals across populations, which also increases genetic diversity (Rosenberg et al. 1997). ...
... The connectivity of habitat patches encourages the exchange of individuals across populations, which also increases genetic diversity (Rosenberg et al. 1997). Several landscape elements, such as forests, hedgerows, fences, roadside vegetation, riparian vegetation, and canyons are considered biological corridors (Bennett 1998;Hilty et al. 2006), though the riparian zones, canyons, and other natural formations stand out because they originate from natural processes (Bennett 1998). ...
Background
Habitat loss and fragmentation in the Sierra Madre Oriental (SMO) ecological corridor have negative impacts on the movement and distribution of mammalian species that are of great ecological and evolutionary importance. Part of the SMO ecological corridor that is located in the state of Hidalgo is less studied despite being a potential dispersal route for mammals. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the presence and activity of terrestrial mammals in the riparian and non-riparian zones of SMO.
Results
Camera traps detected 15 mammalian species (i.e., 14 native and 1 domestic) in the non-riparian zone, and 12 mammalian species in the riparian zone (i.e., 10 wild and 2 domestic). The riparian corridor was mainly used by opportunistic medium-sized carnivores, while large carnivores and their potential prey were more frequent in the non-riparian zone.
Conclusions
Our findings suggest terrestrial mammals avoid the use of natural corridors due to the presence of domestic dogs, cattle and humans and look for new dispersal routes to move through their habitat and find the resources they need to survive. Even though some species can use disturbed corridors to move and find resources, they will change their activity patterns to avoid contact with humans and potential threats like dogs. It is, therefore, crucial to identify not one, but several corridors that must be preserved to improve the connectivity of terrestrial mammals in disturbed landscapes.
... Stochastic events and inbreeding can therefore have a large impact on these small populations. Finding a niche during interspecific competition on small islands is also harder (MacArthur & Wilson, 1967;Hilty & Merenlender, 2006). Wilson and Willis (1975) were the first to extend the theory of island biogeography to "habitat islands" which was the foundation of the concept of landscape connectivity. ...
... This can however be prevented by successful re-colonization by connected populations. The general assumption is that if a suitable habitat is connected, organisms will disperse among habitat patches Hilty & Merenlender, 2006). This is the basic concept of meta-populations and was introduced by . ...
... Defining areas for restoration, regeneration and the development of corridors is based on a wide variety of relevant data from digital sources, experts and publications. There are different types of useful GIS data that should be sought for (the obtained data are marked in green; useful data not yet acquired are marked in red and the data that have been partially obtained is marked in pink): (Hilty & Merenlender, 2006) Only the most critical data for the preparation of the restoration network, which have been processed or need to be processed, are discussed in-depth. ...
This thesis explores the feasibility of forest restoration and corridor design to bring about an ecological network in the buffer zone of the Serra do Brigadeiro State park. The planning of a “restoration network” in all its different aspects is looked into. During the process, the complexity of such a large project has shown that improvements in the different fields are necessary and a multi-actor approach with long term planning is crucial. Also, advice concerning the perfection of the restoration network planning is made. The different analyzed fields and the conclusions made, make up a first version of an open-source guidebook. This guidebook, which should advance during the process, will be necessary to achieve proper transition management on the path to a sustainable ecological network.
... In its simplest and most intuitive incarnation, a corridor is a stretch of (usually) land 1 under some form of protection which connects two existing areas of conservation value, often with a focus on facilitating movement of wild animals (Bennett, 2003;Chetkiewicz et al., 2006;Costanza and Terando, 2019;Forman, 1991;Gilbert-Norton et al., 2010;Newmark, 1993). The basic premise is that corridors can help to maintain healthy wildlife 2 populations across separate habitat areas (both by facilitating genetic exchange and reducing local extinction rates), facilitate migration or dispersal (for some species), or provide an escape mechanism in times of stress or shock (an increasing concern due to climate change) (Costanza and Terando, 2019;Hilty et al., 2006Hilty et al., , 2006Kremen and Merenlender, 2018;LaPoint et al., 2013). The corridor area is generally envisaged as different from the (implicitly hostile) area -or matrix -it traverses (Forman, 1991). ...
... In its simplest and most intuitive incarnation, a corridor is a stretch of (usually) land 1 under some form of protection which connects two existing areas of conservation value, often with a focus on facilitating movement of wild animals (Bennett, 2003;Chetkiewicz et al., 2006;Costanza and Terando, 2019;Forman, 1991;Gilbert-Norton et al., 2010;Newmark, 1993). The basic premise is that corridors can help to maintain healthy wildlife 2 populations across separate habitat areas (both by facilitating genetic exchange and reducing local extinction rates), facilitate migration or dispersal (for some species), or provide an escape mechanism in times of stress or shock (an increasing concern due to climate change) (Costanza and Terando, 2019;Hilty et al., 2006Hilty et al., , 2006Kremen and Merenlender, 2018;LaPoint et al., 2013). The corridor area is generally envisaged as different from the (implicitly hostile) area -or matrix -it traverses (Forman, 1991). ...
... As established in Chapter 1, there is an observable trend in conservation towards connectivity as a means of complementing or supporting protected areas as 'islands', and corridors are presented as the primary way that connectivity can be achieved for wildlife -by maintaining genetically healthy species populations, reducing the risk of local extinction, facilitating migration in pursuit of resources, or providing escape in times of shock or stress (Costanza and Terando, 2019;Hilty et al., 2006Hilty et al., , 2006Kremen and Merenlender, 2018;LaPoint et al., 2013). The popularity of corridors is reflected in professional and policy-related conservation discourse, which collectively presents corridors as 'natural (read: good), and suggests a level of endorsement in 'mainstream' conservation which belies debate and disagreement on corridors within the scientific community. ...
My research investigates corridors for wildlife conservation in Tanzania. I draw from political ecology and science and technology studies to shape my enquiry, examining processes of discursive and material construction of this form of conservation space, and exploring what happens when the idea of the corridor ‘touches down’ in particular places. I approach the corridor as a socially and politically contingent outcome of negotiations taking place at multiple sites, at different scales, presenting data on these processes as they take place at the (broadly defined) national, regional and local level in Tanzania. I use Q methodology, semi-structured interviews, workshops, observation and documentary review to inform my interrogation of the corridor’s presence in Tanzania’s literal and figurative conservation landscape. At the national level, I offer an in-depth exploration of perspectives on corridors held by professional conservation stakeholders using Q methodology. I uncover three perspectives, and argue that the dynamic between them contributes to the corridor’s burgeoning hegemony in conservation. At the subnational level, I analyse the discursive construction of a specific regional corridor purportedly connecting two protected areas in central Tanzania – the Udzungwa Mountains National Park and the Selous Game Reserve. I explore how the idea of this regional corridor gained a foothold, and highlight the resilience of the idea even as its original advocates began to abandon it as a lost cause. At the local level, I explicate the manifestation of a village-level corridor project within the same region. I show how multiple elements – including the ‘mappability’ of the corridor, state-sanctioned spatial planning mechanisms, profit-making motivations of international voluntourism organisations and ideas of immutable nature – combine to result in a socially intractable and ecologically questionable corridor manifestation. My results show that corridors in Tanzania are not products of the straightforward ‘application’ of scientific knowledge, but rather can be understood as an assemblage – a confluence of diverse elements, connecting and colliding, and sustained by a diffuse and relational power. By highlighting selected examples of diverse manifestations of corridors at different scales, and tracing connections between them, my research draws explicit attention to processes of forming and maintaining the broader corridor assemblage in Tanzania. I emphasise that there is both an ethical and intellectual imperative to interrogate intuitively appealing conservation strategies, and to question why and how ideas gain momentum and staying power.
... Se trabajó con el programa ArcGis versión 9.3. Para la selección de corredores biológicos, se utilizaron los criterios de clasificación de Bennett (2004) Sobre el mosaico foto interpretado, se seleccionaron y digitalizaron los polígonos de los fragmentos de vegetación que se consideran viables para ser nodos y enlaces, donde se incluyeron atributos espaciales como tipo de vegetación, tamaño, forma, ancho y distancia entre fragmentos (Burel y Baurdy, 2002;Hilty et al., 2006;Schelhas, 2007;Morera et al., 2007). ...
... ;Hilty et al. (2006);Schelhas, (2007); yMorera et al. (2007), los cuales se basan principalmente en el área de los fragmentos, la distancia entre ellos y los tipos de vegetación que los conforman. Aquellos polígonos seleccionados como nodos potenciales fueron evaluados considerando su forma, el porcentaje de claros y su tamaño. ...
La fragmentación y la pérdida del hábitat es un problema común en todos
los países. Es primordial contar con mecanismos que ayuden a la conser-
vación de la vida silvestre. En zonas fragmentadas, que han perdido la
mayor parte de su vegetación original como Tabasco, los corredores bioló-
gicos locales pueden ser una herramienta para la conectividad de la vida
silvestre. Se realizó un análisis de la conectividad local dentro del territorio
tabasqueño con corredores biológicos. Se utilizaron imágenes de satélite
2008 (con verificación de campo 2010 y 2011) para digitalizar la vegetación y
analizar los fragmentos viables para nodos y enlaces, los fragmentos tenían
que ser mayores o igual a 25 ha. Para los enlaces, debían tener un área mayor
a 1 ha y una amplitud mínima de 25 m y no estar separados por otro frag-
mento a más de 30 m. Los fragmentos seleccionados como nodos fueron
evaluados considerando su forma, porcentaje de claros y su tamaño. Se
delimitaron 93 corredores, con una dimensión de 98,498.51 ha. Los corre-
dores con dimensiones de 100 a 200 ha son los más comunes (31). La zona
de la llanura tabasqueña cuenta con la mayor cantidad de corredores con 40, seguido por la Chontalpa con 28. La implementación para establecer
la conectividad local por medio de corredores, puede ser una herramienta
muy valiosa en los esfuerzos de conservación de la vida silvestre.
... Two definitions of connectivity are often discussed: structural connectivity, which focuses only on the physical characteristics of the landscape, and functional connectivity, which adds how animals respond to this physical structure and really move within and among habitats (Hilty et al., 2019). Understanding functional connectivity may begin with understanding how animals respond to environmental gradients and features (Tischendorf and Fahrig, 2000;Cushman et al., 2010). ...
... Proposals to protect connectivity as a way to conserve metapopulations and species in fragmented landscapes began in the 1990s (Mann and Plummer, 1995). These were often based on the idea that a narrow band of habitat suitable for some group of species could be conserved as a linkage or corridor between habitat patches (Hilty et al., 2019). Since then, there have been proposed networks of core areas connected by linkages in US states (e.g., CA: Shilling et al., 2002;Penrod et al., 2012), individual African (Riggio and Caro, 2017) and European countries, and Europe in general (de la Fuente et al., 2018;Evans, 2012;Fňukalová et al., 2021). ...
Landscape-level connectivity models developed in geographic information systems (GIS) produce hypothetical objects proposed to connect areas of habitat in fragmented landscapes, hereafter called “linkages”. Assuming they are used by organisms in nature, linkages could be an important tool for the maintenance of viable wildlife populations and biodiversity conservation. We evaluated five California linkage models (four statewide and one desert specific) for use by common California mammal, reptile and amphibian species in two ways using >180,000 wildlife detections over 20 years. If species are using linkages more often than surrounding areas, we expect to find evidence of their occurrence within linkages significantly more than outside linkages. First, we focused on wildlife-vehicle collision (WVC) data as a proxy for wildlife movement across landscapes and tested whether linkages were an important predictor for the presence of WVCs. Second, we used occupancy modeling with inferred non-detections to assess whether linkages were important predictors of species presence on the landscape. We found that the linkage areas were not consistent predictors of WVCs, with the exception of certain large-bodied mammals by individual models. Linkage areas were also not important predictors for the probability of landscape occupancy for most species. These results show that, lacking validation, hypothetical landscape linkages alone will not support functional connectivity for general biodiversity conservation. Therefore, caution should be exercised when using linkages in land and transportation-based conservation planning. In urban environments, modeled linkages may reflect the critical last places for wildlife to move and should be reserved. However, in mixed-use landscapes where wildlife may move more easily, connectivity as a gradient across the landscape should be the target of conservation, including in land-use and transportation planning.
... The concept of umbrella species can often lighten this burden by allowing conservation managers to focus on one or a few carefully selected sensitive species, with the conservation actions aimed at them also automatically benefitting a wider array of other species occupying the same habitat [20,21]. The same concept could also be implemented in GI planning; indeed, by selecting a number of species with varying ecologies, it would be possible to build an ecological network [22] capable of also protecting a much wider array of other species that share the ecological needs of the selected ones [23]. ...
Green infrastructure (GI) networks comprising multiple natural and artificial habitats are important tools for the management of ecosystem services. However, even though ecosystem services are deeply linked with the state of biodiversity, many approaches to GI network planning do not explicitly consider the ecological needs of biotic communities, which are often threatened by anthropic activities even in presence of protected areas. Here, to contribute in fill this gap, we describe an easy-to-apply, biodiversity-centric approach to model an ecological network as a backbone for a GI network, based on the ecological needs of a range of representative species. For each species, ideal habitats (nodes) were identified, and crossing costs were assigned to other habitat types depending on their compatibility with the species ecology. Corridors linking the nodes were then mapped, minimizing overall habitat crossing costs. We applied the method to the Isonzo–Vipacco river area in Northern Italy, highlighting a potential ecological network where nodes and corridors occupied 27% and 11.8% of the study area, respectively. The prospective of its conflicts with anthropic activities and possible solutions for its implementation was also discussed. Our method could be applied to a variety of situations and geographic contexts, being equally useful for supporting the protection of entire biocenoses or of specific sensitive species, as well as enhancing the ecosystem services they provide.
... En la actualidad se ha ampliado el uso de corredores biológicos como herramienta para mantener la biodiversidad (Gibert-Norton et al. 2010), lo que ha servido para generar conectividad entre la vegetación y la fauna silvestre con diversas escalas de paisaje, y con ello se logra reducir el impacto de la fragmentación del hábitat (Hilty et al. 2006, Falsy y Estades 2007, Gilbert-Norton et al. 2010. Esto se ha traducido en un aumento en la sobrevivencia de las poblaciones silvestres, favoreciendo la interacción de individuos de la misma especie entre fragmentos y promueve el flujo genético. ...
... Connectivity is a function of the distribution and types of natural vegetation patches in the agricultural landscape (Hilty et al., 2006) evidenced in the indicators used for the ACI and applied to Tosoly and Villa Alicia. In general, landscapes with a high degree of functional connectivity, those maintaining large areas of natural vegetation with short distances between remaining patches while having extensive corridor networks that facilitate species mobility, have the greatest likelihood of preserving species populations (Bennet, 1999). ...
Given the need for agricultural system management under sustainability principles, identification and quantification of the landscape structure surrounding production systems is a tool that allows farmers to make their agroecological transition processes more appropriate. An ACI with eight indicators was proposed for farm assessment. This ACI is focused on functional connectivity both at farm and landscape levels. Two Colombian farms with different connectivity characteristics were evaluated under the index. Tosoly presented a stronger ecological structure and higher connectivity and diversity. Villa Alicia showed a weak ecological structure and low connectivity and complexity. From a systemic approach, the ACI allows an analysis of landscape structural conditions that promote ecological functions of pollination and biological controllers. With landscape structural conditions, it is possible to analyze the quantity and quality of the habitat for designing agroecological transition programs focused on obtaining productive agroecosystems that simultaneously comply with conservation strategies.
... Recognizing the importance of landscape connectivity as a crucial conservation strategy effectively reduces the negative consequences of habitat loss and fragmentation (Fletcher et al., 2016). Connectivity enhances individual movement, supporting dispersal, migration, and gene flow, thereby promoting population recolonization or establishment in previously unoccupied areas (Hilty et al., 2012). Additionally, connectivity is pivotal in sustaining viable metapopulations and contributes to the demographic rescue of small, isolated populations (Haddad et al., 2015). ...
Landscape connectivity is essential for the conservation of large carnivores, particularly in highly fragmented landscapes. Despite was nearing extinction, the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) recovered in Europe, owing to reintroduction projects that have re-established several subpopulations. However, some of these subpopulations are small and isolated, possibly incurring into reduced genetic diversity. To establish a functional metapopulation in Europe, facilitating lynx movements is crucial, and connectivity modeling could support the identification of optimal solutions to connect these subpopulations. Here, we assessed habitat connectivity for the Eurasian lynx in current and future scenarios, between the European subpopulations, applying two different modeling approaches, namely Circuit theory-based and least-cost path techniques. Moreover, we evaluated the potential of European Protected Areas (EPAs) to form an ecological network able to connect lynx subpopulations. Our results show that several connections occur between Jura, Alpine, Bohemian-Bavarian-Austrian (BBA), and Dinaric populations, while Balkan is less connected. Moreover, the Carpathian population has the potential to act as a source for the BBA subpopulation, if properly connected. We report that, currently, only 21 % of the crucial corridors are covered by EPAs, and those are often disturbed by human infrastructures. High connectivity among EPAs occurs in Central and Eastern Europe, and among the Carpathian, BBA, and Alpine subpopulations. However, unprotected areas appear between the Carpathian, the BBA, the Baltic, and the Balkans subpopulations. To enhance those connections, we test the Agenda 2030 goals, and find those functional for management actions focusing on dispersal corridors, also proving that transboundary cooperation is pivotal.
... Hanski et al. 2013;Fahrig et al. 2019), disturbance ecology , corridor ecology (e.g. Hilty et al. 2012) and ecological network planning and conservation (e.g. Battisti 2013; Gippoliti & Battisti 2017). ...
We sampled 70 urban ponds (0.001 to >1 ha) in Rome, Italy, to obtain richness and abundance data for wintering wild birds and domestic birds in relation to pond size. The aim was to test the hypothesis that the species-area relationship differs between wild and domestic birds, with the presence of the latter linked with anthropogenic factors, not pond area. We detected eight domesticated avian taxa and 19 wild species at 26 sites. Whereas there was a significant relationship between the number of wild bird species and pond area, the diversity of domestic taxa appeared not to be correlated with area (power function; Levenberg-Marquardt approach). Species-area relationships showed a lower variance in domestic taxa when compared with wild species. As smaller ponds in urban landscapes can host a higher number of domestic taxa than wild species, there may be implications both for increasing risk of disease transmission and for biodiversity perception among urban citizens.
... Com o processo da fragmentação observa-se um aumento do distanciamento entre eles, contribuindo para a falta de conectividade entre os grandes fragmentos (Collinge, 1996;Fahrig, 2003). Nesse sentido, os corredores têm-se revelado importantes instrumentos de planejamento e gestão territorial, com vista à conservação da natureza pela possibilidade que gera de reconexão de fragmentos (Tischendorf, 2001;Merenlender, 2006;Walpole, 2012). ...
O Cerrado, desde 1970, é alvo de significativa supressão da vegetação nativa em função da fronteira agrícola. A perda de habitat pela conversão de áreas naturais em ambientes antropizados tem se revelado uma das principais causas do declínio de espécies a exemplo do lobo-guará, endêmica do bioma Cerrado e que está quase ameaçado de extinção. Depois da perda de habitat, que são as principais ameaças, a abertura e o asfaltamento de rodovias também representam importantes ameaças, devido aos constantes atropelamentos dos animais silvestres, que tentam cruzar as vias de alta velocidade. Diante deste cenário, propõe-se, no trabalho, uma análise que considera cinco cenários de cenários de corredores ecológicos para o lobo-guará no Distrito Federal e entorno, sendo três à noroeste, entre o Parque Nacional de Brasília e a Estação Ecológica de Águas Emendadas, e dois à nordeste, entre a Estação Ecológica de Águas Emendadas e Formosa. Os caminhos priorizaram as unidades de planejamento (hexágonos) e as notas significativas do resultado geoestatístico do índice de Moran para as variáveis uso da terra, declividade, rodovias, área de preservação permanente (APP) e reserva legal (RL).
... But anthropogenic pressures are advancing faster than the natural environment is able to regenerate itself, putting intense pressure on this biological wealth and reducing the number of species. Therefore, due to changes in land use status as a result of human activities, biodiversity is put at risk on a global scale [5]. ...
Urban areas are very rich in terms of biodiversity. The study's goal in this context is to develop proposals to ensure the sustainability of biodiversity, particularly in urban areas, by emphasizing the significance of biological diversity, which is the most important component of ecological systems and biological processes. Furthermore, it is intended to be a resource to be used in future studies on biological diversity, particularly in the context of the importance and sustainability of urban biodiversity. Biodiversity is a whole of genes, species, ecosystems and ecological events in a region. Biodiversity, from large to small part, consists of three major main parts and a fourth part that connects these three parts. These are ecosystem diversity, species diversity, genetic diversity and diversity of ecological processes .In parallel with the developing technology since the nineteenth century, pressures on natural resources have increased as a result of human effects such as industrialization, population growth, urbanization, different types of pollution, forest fires, field openings, overgrazing, drying of wetlands, pollution caused by pesticides used in agriculture, excessive and unconscious use of resources. In terms of protecting and improving the quality of nature and the environment, ensuring the continuity of the natural structures of biological riches and population sizes is important for the protection and development of species and their habitats. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the data related to the biological entity and analyze it correctly. Urban areas are very complex. Cities, in addition to constituting the majority of the world's population, focus disproportionately on the global economy and decision-making power. Furthermore, despite covering only about 2% of the Earth's surface, urban areas consume 75% of its resources. Cities, however, can be a powerful catalyst for greener economies as a hub for social and political movements as well as centers of technological and corporate knowledge and innovation. Cities are arguably the most important elements in the development of the green economy due to their growing size and importance around the world. Cities' management may be more sensitive to pressing issues while receiving some relief from competing national interests (e.g., regional development agendas and sector lobbies) and responsibilities (such as national defense costs). Urban transition activities are becoming increasingly important in the implementation of global environmental policies such as climate change and biodiversity loss. Depending on their level of development and spatial organization, different cities' green economies will take on different identities. The protection of urban areas is important because of the protection and sustainability of the species' habitats. From this point of view, ecosystem, species and genetic diversity should be considered and evaluated together in the conservation of biodiversity in urban areas. To ensure the sustainability of biodiversity, in-situ and exsitu conservation approaches need to be applied together.
... An intrinsic part of urban ESPs are urban ecological corridors. These play an important role in promoting diverse natural flows (Hilty et al., 2012) and counteracting the negative impacts of human activities (McClure et al., 2015) with their effectiveness in protecting urban biodiversity proven by many studies (Hilty et al., 2019;Peng et al., 2017). The construction of bird-specific ecological corridors is an important avenue for research in the conservation of bird diversity (Gilbert-Norton et al., 2010). ...
... The concept of ecological networks has been developed since the early 1990s in other countries of Europe [7]. The concept of ecological networks includes also the "green belts/ways" (greenways) [8] or interconnecting of landscapes for the purpose of protecting biological diversity [9]. ...
Since the end of the 20th century, the Czech Republic has been developing an ecological network. Areas of ligneous greenery are being established throughout the landscape. The projects use different sizes of planting material: forestry seedlings and landscaping seedlings. In the South Moravian Region, in the vicinity of the village of Šardice, a series of measurements was carried out in 2016–2019 to compare the vitality of the greenery elements established by each of the methods. The height of the seedlings and trunk diameter were measured for the young trees while the shrubs were monitored for the seedling height only. Mortality was recorded successively for all the seedlings. The forestry method demonstrated greater growing vigour as indicated by the ratio of the trunk diameter increment to height while the landscaping method had lower mortality. In the forestry plantations, high mortality was found especially in poplars, oaks and hornbeams while in the landscaping plantations the poplars and oaks had the highest mortality. Elm, sycamore and poplar trees had the highest increments in the forestry plantations (but the latter was planted at different size). In the landscaping plantations, poplar trees (planted at a different size) delivered the best results, followed by maple, elm and lime trees. Shrub mortality was similar in both types of plantings. Hazel had a very high mortality while ivy, privet and honeysuckle had low mortality. Shrub height gain was higher in fenced forestry plantations. In unfenced landscaping plantations, damage by game was evident.
... It was necessary to join some data sources from the past with current ones and those from future plans and projects, using new technologies, in order to model connectivity needs in the face of imminent climate change. At the same time, we took into account that the spatial and temporal scale of assessing green-blue infrastructure connectivity in a large city (such as Bucharest) is one of the most important aspects of research [47]. ...
A green-blue infrastructure is essential for achieving the European Green Deal objectives and can be used to protect large cities and their metropolitan areas against urban sprawl. Green-blue infrastructure is an important research topic, because green-blue planning networks provide solutions for mitigating contemporary growing urban and climate challenges. Our study aims to create an innovative methodology for defining and analyzing the elements of green-blue infrastructure and their connectivity within Bucharest, Romania and its metropolitan area, to serve as a planning model. The methodology consists of merging European geodata sets with metropolitan and local data, using GIS tools, and analyzing the connectivity within the study area. All connections resulted from implementing the Linkage Mapper tool were operationalized, using high-resolution satellite images and correcting obtained connections, so that deviations from reality were minimized. The results consist of a conceptual model for planning the green-blue infrastructure within Bucharest and in its metropolitan area, embedding an analysis of its connectivity. The study contributes to implementing the concept of green infrastructure in urban and spatial planning, providing tools for planning the green-blue infrastructures of large cities and their metropolitan areas and, implicitly, reducing urban sprawl, improving air quality and mitigating environmental threats due to climate change.
... Research suggests that generalist species can benefit from habitat destruction, but they will perform better in landscapes of intermediate quality than landscapes of poor quality (Ramiadantsoa et al. 2018). Compared to narrow corridors, wide corridors experience less edge effects (van Schalkwyk et al. 2020), are better at maintaining connectivity (Hilty et al. 2006), contain better quality habitats (Pryke and Samways 2001), and experience less shading from alien trees, which is especially important for dragonflies in these CCs (Remsburg et al. 2008;Samways and Sharratt 2010). The higher conservation value of these wide corridors aligns with previous assessments based on site-level estimates of insect diversity (Pryke and Samways 2012;van Schalkwyk et al. 2017;Schalkwyk et al. 2020Schalkwyk et al. , 2021. ...
Complementarity is crucial when prioritizing sites for biodiversity conservation. Networks of conservation corridors (CCs) can contribute to regional representativeness by complementing biodiversity features included in existing protected areas (PAs). We ask whether criteria important for CC management and design are effective at prioritizing complementary sites, and how the consideration of species represented in PAs influence criteria performance. We focused on species turnover of generalist and specialist dragonflies across 88 riverine sites. Criteria assessed included site-level estimates of dragonfly species richness, estimates of local habitat quality and corridor width. Measures of local habitat quality were based on either dragonfly indicator species or proportion of alien vegetation. Results showed that CCs complement dragonfly diversity in PAs by contributing unrepresented generalist species. Of the criteria, corridor width was the most efficient at prioritizing complementary sites, while prioritization based on dragonfly indicator species or species richness underperformed. When aiming to prioritize CC sites that also complement sites situated in established PAs, wide corridors with low levels of alien vegetation should be favoured.
... An ecological network consists of various ecological nodes and intersecting ecological corridors [48,49]. Within the network, a range of ecosystems are connected through communication of living organisms and embedded landscape matrices, forming a spatially coherent system [50]. ...
Linear cultural heritage—a heritage system spanning time and space—is a large-scale cultural settlement that accommodates various heritage types. Here, we comprehensively explored the Straight Road (Zhidao) of the Qin Dynasty in Shaanxi Province, China, as a gene of traditional cultural connotations and geographical features, and provided holistic conservation strategies and effective utilization paths. From an ecological security pattern perspective, 4399.89 km2 of ecological sources and 19 ecological nodes were identified based on the importance of four ecosystem services—carbon sequestration and oxygen release, water conservation, habitat maintenance, and soil retention. Then, 45 ecological corridors with a total length of 2938.49 km were determined using the minimum cumulative resistance model. The intersections of ecological corridors were distinguished and the key areas of cultural landscape construction were extracted by taking into account the spatial distribution of existing relics as well as the spatial network relationship of prohibited-development areas and existing gray corridors (roads), blue corridors (rivers), and green ecological corridors (shade zones, green belts, recreational greenways). A plan was proposed to construct 98.45 km2 of new parks (country parks: 28.38 km2, forest parks: 70.07 km2) and 101.26 km of new landscape corridors (urban type: 32.08 km, countryside type: 26.49 km, ecological type: 42.69 km). Multilevel landscape complexes should be built to form a functional and networked ecological–cultural spatial structure system. Findings of this study could provide ecological ideas for promoting the reservation and active utilization of linear cultural-heritage corridors on a regional scale.
... Therefore, conservation strategies for vulnerable species should include a comprehensive approach, increasing conservation areas, protecting climate refugia, rehabilitating habitats to adapt to climate change, and maintaining and enhancing landscape connectivity (Choe et al. 2018(Choe et al. , 2020Choudhury and Khan 2010). Additionally, maintaining connectivity by finding and protecting connections across the landscape (corridors, ecological networks, and roadways) is an important strategy and is essential to facilitate species movement to track relevant climates and species range shifts (Hilty et al. 2006;Keeley et al. 2018;Nuñez et al. 2013). ...
Changes in environmental factors, human impact, and interactions between them accelerate the extinction of woody species. Therefore, conservation programs are needed to protect endangered taxa. However, the relationship between climate, habitat fragmentation, and anthropogenic activities and their consequences are still not well understood. In this work, we aimed to evaluate the impact of climate change and human population density on the Buxus hyrcana Pojark distribution range, as well as the phenomenon of habitat fragmentation. Based on species occurrence data throughout the Hyrcanian Forests (north of Iran), the MAXENT model was employed to estimate the potential distribution and suitability changes. Morphological-spatial analysis (MSPA) and CIRCUITSCAPE were used to assess habitat fragmentation and its connectivity. According to the main results obtained from future scenarios, the potential range will significantly decrease due to the lack of suitable climatic conditions. Meanwhile, B. hyrcana may not be able to shift in potentially suitable areas because of human influence and geographic barriers. Under RCP scenarios the extent of the core area would be reduced and the edge/core ratio significantly increased. Altogether, we found negative effects of the environmental change and the human population density on the continuity of habitats of B. hyrcana. The results of the presented work may improve our knowledge connected with in situ and ex situ protection strategies.
... In contrast to habitat specialist species that often disappear or reduce their population numbers in the simplified agricultural landscapes with widespread loss of semi-natural habitats, some generalist mammalian species might even profit and effectively exploit agroecosystems (Crooks, 2002;Ferreira et al., 2018). Although distribution and population numbers of individual mammalian species are crucially influenced by the habitat structure and their connectivity at various spatial scales (Hilty et al., 2006;Šá lek et al., 2014), for some species inhabiting intensively-used farmland, may be important even small representation of non-farmed habitats within the agricultural matrix, providing them important breeding, foraging, and resting habitat (Červinka et al., 2013;Voigt and Siebert, 2019). Moreover, such non-farmed habitat features may represent overlooked stepping stones within the home ranges of individual species and thus, increase the permeability of the agricultural landscape for mammals (Červinka et al., 2013;Voigt and Siebert, 2019). ...
Current lowland agricultural landscapes are characterized by a low representation of biodiversity-rich semi-natural habitats. Even in structurally simple farmlands, the presence of in-field, non-farmed habitats may be beneficial for species persistence. Here, for the first time, we evaluated the importance of non-farmed habitats under high-voltage power line infrastructure for medium-sized mammals inhabiting the intensively-used agricultural landscape. We found the clear choice (in terms of visit frequency and use-intensity) of power pylons over adjacent farmland by individual mammalian species during the winter, with a clear preference for power pylons for dominant species (European hare, roe deer, and red fox). Similarly, our results also revealed that individual mammalian species spend more time and showed a higher share of comfort behavior (e.g., feeding, resting for herbivores, and sniffing for carnivores) under power pylons, while the species mainly passed through the adjacent farmland. Finally, analyses focusing on the effect of local and landscape characteristics on mammal use-intensity underneath power pylons have revealed significant results only for European hare. European hare's use-intensity increased with higher shrub density under power pylons, higher distance to the field edge, and shorter distance to shrub patches. Our findings demonstrated that power line infrastructure might represent crucial in-field non-farmed habitats, offering suitable resting and foraging habitats for various mammal species in agricultural landscape. These habitats may significantly contribute to increasing the biological potential of structurally simple farmlands, which should be taken into consideration in conservation planning within agroecosystems.
... Targeted ecosystem function or service , Riis et al. 2020 Example laws or programs that apply to the study area Biophysical spatial scale(s) and properties relevant to ecosystem service provision & delivery Administrative levels of existing laws or programs (collectively) Streambank stability / erosion hazard mitigation (Montgomery 1997, Sweeney et al. 2004 (Hilty et al. 2006, Naiman et al. 2012 US Endangered Species Act protects Critical Habitat for listed species, e.g., salmonids ...
Adaptive governance requires institutional capacity to coordinate responses to environmental problems at appropriate scales and utilizes networks for information sharing. This implies a capability to translate successful governance experiments from one social-ecological setting to another. Yet, translating lessons learned from case studies in adaptive water governance to other settings is all but straightforward. Watershed condition is a cumulative result of upstream ecological factors as well as land use decision-making processes, which may involve diverse stakeholders and multiple, nested levels of government. The relationships between site-specific land management decisions and water-related ecosystem services not only vary by location, but are further complicated by biogeochemical flows, ecological interactions, and social-ecological trade-offs. We view this governance challenge from a biophysical science perspective, highlighting the need to focus on translatability of governance approaches such that land use decision-making processes can better fit the dynamic, multidimensional, spatially continuous nature of riverine networks. To learn from a previous attempt to translate a successful water governance experiment across social-ecological settings, we investigated a case study of riverside area management in Washington State, northwestern USA. As participants in an agency-led workshop, we observed particular challenges in coordinating riverside management recommendations across a spatially variable social-ecological landscape. To clarify potential steps for translating riverine policy experiments, we intersected ecological understanding with adaptive governance scholarship. Using the case study as an example of the challenges of translating a policy experiment, we reviewed the ecological, management, and adaptive governance literatures to identify four elements of translatability: (1) a cross-sectoral, multiscale understanding of the shared goals or future desired state of the system; (2) quantified functional relationships between measurable site-scale features and ecosystem functions related to the shared goals; (3) definition frameworks to relate ecological concepts to the levels of potentially networked governance; (4) mapping strategies to visualize emerging networked governance in spatial context. We reviewed definitions pertaining to riverside areas and arranged them along a concept-application spectrum to provide a framework to relate ecological knowledge to the levels of potentially networked riverine governance. We mapped the spatial footprints of related policies nested within areas of similar ecological landscape characteristics to show spatial patterns that could inform translation of governance experiments in empirical context. We then discussed the role of translatability in adaptive water governance. We conclude with recommendations for considering the translatability of adaptive water-governance experiments and identifying potential opportunities to leverage existing ecological and institutional relationships to improve cross-scale fit with ecosystems across heterogeneous landscapes.
... Although protected areas have long been the primary focus of conservation, it is now widely understood that isolated patches are not sufficient to protect individuals and communities: when habitats become too small, or their connections to other areas are cut off, species may disappear, since small, isolated populations adapt less effectively to changes in environmental conditions. Conversely, long-term ecological conservation and sustainable development rely on well-connected systems of protected areas to allow individuals and populations to move between areas as needed ( Hilty et al., 2006). Among the many species, large carnivores are particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, owing to intrinsic biological traits, such as big body size, extensive area requirements, low densities and slow population growth rates, as well as to the existence of external human threats, including hunting and other forms of direct persecution (Crooks, 2002;Crooks et al., 2011). ...
... Wildlife corridor implementation is considered an important strategy to reconnect habitat patches in fragmented landscapes [21][22][23]. In the context of arboreal species, there are examples of where corridors are vital for arboreal mammal conservation by reconnecting isolated populations and improving gene flow [24][25][26]. ...
Habitat loss and fragmentation contribute significantly to the decline of arboreal mammal populations. As populations become fragmented and isolated, a reduction in gene flow can result in a loss of genetic diversity and have an overall impact upon long-term persistence. Creating wildlife corridors can mitigate such effects by increasing the movement and dispersal of animals, thus acting to reduce population isolation. To evaluate the success of a corridor, a before–after experimental research framework can be used. Here, we report the genetic diversity and structure of sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) sampling locations within a fragmented landscape prior to the implementation of a wildlife corridor. This study used 5999 genome-wide SNPs from 94 sugar gliders caught from 8 locations in a fragmented landscape in south-eastern New South Wales, Australia. Overall genetic structure was limited, and gene flow was detected across the landscape. Our findings indicate that the study area contains one large population. A major highway dissecting the landscape did not act as a significant barrier to dispersal, though this may be because of its relatively new presence in the landscape (completed in 2018). Future studies may yet indicate its long-term impact as a barrier to gene flow. Future work should aim to repeat the methods of this study to examine the medium-to-long-term impacts of the wildlife corridor on sugar gliders, as well as examine the genetic structure of other native, specialist species in the landscape.
... Rivers are considered to be the quintessence of connectivity (Wiens, 2002), corresponding to the extent to which a species or population can move among landscape elements in a mosaic of habitat types (Hilty et al., 2012). The mobility, spatial distribution and temporal variations of fish are major elements of fish biology and can influence their population dynamics and productivity (Fredrich et al., 2003;Gardner et al., 2013;Radinger and Wolter, 2014). ...
Studies of fishway performance, at the multi-species level in large rivers, are scarce and this raises the question of the passage success of both endemic and exotic species in anthropised environments. The study was conducted in the downstream part of the River Meuse (average annual discharge = 400 m3.s-1) on a 13 km transect between two successive fishways (M0 and M1). From 2015 to 2021, a total of 1065 adult individuals, representing 14 large potamodromous (including asp Aspius aspius and catfish Silurus glanis as exotics) and diadromous species, were captured at the trap of the Lixhe fishway (M0), individually tagged (using biocompatible RFID tags-Radio Frequency Identification), and released upstream of M0. To analyse the performance of the M1 vertical slot fishway using standardised metrics, a RFID detection station was placed with one antenna at the entrance and one antenna at the most upstream pool of the M1 fishway (5.7 m height 18 pools). With 456 individuals detected in the M1 fishway, the ascending rate from M0 to M1 was 42.8% (the common bream, Abramis brama achieving 85.7%); the exotic species (catfish and asp) reached 21.5% and 30.5%, respectively. The adjusted passage performance was the best for the exotic asp (94.9%) followed by the trout, Salmo trutta (90.0%). The median time to cross the M1 fishway was shorter for the trout (median = 01h08) and longer for the eel Anguilla anguilla (median = 21h17); the exotic asp was also very fast (median = 1h31). The hourly passage time at M1 was variable, with some species migrating during daylight, dark periods or the entire 24h cycle. The multispecies vertical slot fishway studied presented the best performance, in terms of passage success, at an international level, associated with good transit times It also allows the passage of exotic species, which will increase their expansion area.
... However, the foreign approach is different from TSES. Abroad, biocorridors are mostly designed to connect reserves and national parks and ensure migration (Bennett, 2003;Bennett & Mulongoy, 2006;Fabos & Ahem, 1996, Hilty et al., 2006Jongman & Pungetti, 2004). It is only in recent decades that the concept of green infrastructure has been developing (European Commission, 2022;Mell, 2017;Turner, 2006), which is closer to TSES. ...
In the 1970s and 1980s, the concept of ecological networks was developed in the Czech Republic. The first biocorridors were established on arable land in the beginning of the 1990s. One of them was the Vracov biocorridor. This paper deals with the growth and development of trees on two permanent research plots in the period from 1993–2021. In the biocorridor, repeated inventories of woody plants and monitoring of biometrical parameters of trees and shrubs were carried out. The number of woody plants has been decreasing as the level of stand canopy has increased. Moreover, mean heights and diameters of skeleton ( Quercus robur , Tilia cordata ) and filling ( Acer campestre , Prunus avium ) trees and shrubs ( Cornus sanguinea , Ligustrum ovalifolium ) were compared. Under the given conditions, the growth of these tree species can be positively evaluated.
... Autour du lac, des milliers de cèdres ont été plantés depuis une dizaine d'année grâce au projet de parrainage « Adopter un cèdre », lancé pour créer un corridor écologique entre les forêts de Ain-Zhalta et de Barouk. tabulaire (les cimes se mettent à pousser à l'horizontale) à partir de 70 ans, ce qui est dû à un ralentissement progressif (et parfois à un arrêt définitif) de la croissance en hauteur, provoqué par la structuration particulière du sol : l'affleurement rocheux sous-jacent empêche vite la croissance en profondeur des racines (Bouvarel, 1950 conservées, mais également à l'extérieur, entre ces zones (Hilty et al, 2006). En écologie du paysage, l'importance de la végétation indigène représente un élément capital pour améliorer la capacité d'un corridor à agir à la fois comme un conduit et comme un habitat supplémentaire (Bennet, 1991 (Faerber, 2009 ;Vilain-Carlotti, 2017 ;Clément, 2005 (Gharios et al, 2016), ainsi que la perte des paysages diversifiés dans les zones rurales, ont influé sur la fréquence et l'impact croissants des incendies (Badia et al, 2002 ;Bouisset, 2007). ...
... Anthropogenic activities have caused habitat destruction and degradation leading to habitat fragmentation and threatening biodiversity (Diamond, 1976;Hilty et al., 2006;Haddad et al., 2015). Ecological corridors are one way to mitigate the negative effect of habitat fragmentation (Rosenberg et al., 1997;Haddad, 2015). ...
Ecological corridors promote species coexistence in fragmented habitats where dispersal limits species fluxes. The corridor concept was developed and investigated with macroorganisms in mind, while microorganisms, the invisible majority of biodiversity, were disregarded.
We analyzed the effect of corridors on the dynamics of endospheric fungal assemblages associated with plant roots at the scale of 1 m over 2 years (i.e. at five time points) by combining an experimental corridor‐mesocosm with high‐throughput amplicon sequencing.
We showed that plant root endospheric mycobiota were sensitive to corridor effects when the corridors were set up at a small spatial scale. The endospheric mycobiota of connected plants had higher species richness, lower beta‐diversity, and more deterministic assembly than the mycobiota of isolated plants. These effects became more pronounced with the development of host plants.
Biotic corridors composed of host plants may thus play a key role in the spatial dynamics of microbial communities and may influence microbial diversity and related ecological functions.
... The region has an oceanic climate, the average annual rainfall is 1500 mm, and the average temperature is 14.8 °C (Carballeira, 1983;Cortizas & Alberti, 1999). Consequently, the peak flow period corresponds to the months of December to May, and the minimum takes place in August (de Galicia, 2008;Hilty et al., 2012). Average rainfall in the region approaches 282 Hm 3 /year (2018), temperatures vary from 7.3 °C in January to 19.5 °C in the warmest months (July-August 2018). ...
Riverine habitats are essential ecotones that bridge aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, providing multiple ecosystem services. This study analyses the potential use of high-resolution satellite imagery, provided by the WorldView-2 satellite, in order to assess its viability for monitoring riparian ecosystems. It is performed by calculating the riparian strip quality index (RSQI) and calibrating it with the riparian quality index (QBR). The methodology was implemented in the Umia River, which is characterised by elevated anthropogenic pressures (located in the northwest of Spain). The results obtained by the method have a 92% of veracity and a kappa coefficient of 0.88. The average quality value obtained for the RSQI index was 71.57, while the average value for the QBR was 55.88. This difference could be attributed to the fact that the former does not differ between autochthonous and non-autochthonous vegetation. The areas with more accurate mapping corresponded to stretches of vegetation with optimal cover (80–50%), with good connectivity with the adjacent forest ecosystem and few or no presence of invasive plants. The worst-scoring sites had the next characteristics: low connectivity (< 10%), low forest cover (< 10%) and a higher presence of invasive plants. The degradation of vegetation could be explained by the presence of agriculture and deficient land use rationing caused by the type of ownership of the study area. The application of this index through satellite images will facilitate the environmental governance of multiple ecosystems and in special riparian ecosystems, obtaining a quick and objective methodology, easily replicable in other basins.
Graphical Abstract
... The structuring of water courses to reduce the destructive effects of flood inundation has however had unintentionally detrimental effects on the natural environment. The loss of longitudinal connectivity, the degree to which species or populations and environmental elements such as sediment can move/be transported amongst varying mesohabitats within the river's system, is a major concern in most rivers internationally (Rincón et al., 2017;Hilty et al., 2012). This loss is a result of the construction of dams and weirs, built to confine and regulate flood water they concurrently act as barriers to downstream transportation of bedload material and upstream migration of fish species (Ezcurra et al., 2019;Schmutz and Moog, 2018). ...
... 'Landscape connectivity' , commonly defined to be the extent to which a landscape facilitates organism movement, is an emergent and dynamic phenomenon based on the cumulative movement pathways of individuals across time and space 11 . Conceptually, it provides a tractable and powerful methodology for analysing and mapping organism movement patterns, and its widespread utility has been established across an enormous body of ecological work 12,13 . As such, the theory, modelling and prediction of landscape connectivity has grown to become a central focus of applied ecology and conservation science 14 . ...
Landscape connectivity, the extent to which a landscape facilitates the flow of ecological processes such as organism movement, has grown to become a central focus of applied ecology and conservation science. Several computational algorithms have been developed to understand and map connectivity, and many studies have validated their predictions using empirical data. Yet at present, there is no published comparative analysis which uses a comprehensive simulation framework to measure the accuracy and performance of the dominant methods in connectivity modelling. Given the widespread usage of such models in spatial ecology and conservation science, a thorough evaluation of their predictive abilities using simulation techniques is essential for guiding their appropriate and effective application across different contexts. In this paper, we address this by using the individual-based movement model Pathwalker to simulate different connectivity scenarios generated from a wide range of possible movement behaviours and spatial complexities. With this simulated data, we test the predictive abilities of three major connectivity models: factorial least-cost paths, resistant kernels, and Circuitscape. Our study shows the latter two of these three models to consistently perform most accurately in nearly all cases, with their abilities varying substantially in different contexts. For the majority of conservation applications, we infer resistant kernels to be the most appropriate model, except for when the movement is strongly directed towards a known location. We conclude this paper with a review and interdisciplinary discussion of the current limitations and possible future developments of connectivity modelling.
... It is an emergent and dynamic phenomenon based on the cumulative behavioural and movement choices of individuals across time and space (Cushman et al. 2013a). Conceptually, it provides a tractable and powerful methodology for analysing and mapping animal movement patterns, and its widespread utility has been established across an enormous body of ecological work (Hilty et al. 2012;Rudnick et al. 2012;Kaszta et al. 2020). As such, the theory, modelling and prediction of connectivity has grown to become a central focus of landscape ecology and conservation science. ...
Landscape connectivity, the extent to which a landscape facilitates the flow of ecological processes such as organism movement, has emerged as a central focus of landscape ecology and conservation science. Connectivity modelling now encompasses an enormous body of work across ecological theory and application. The dominant connectivity models in use today are based on the framework of ‘landscape resistance’, which is a way of measuring how landscape structure influences movement patterns. However, the simplistic assumptions and high degree of reductionism inherent to the landscape resistance paradigm severely limits the ability of connectivity algorithms to account for many fundamental aspects of animal movement, and thus greatly reduces the effectiveness and relevance of connectivity models for conservation theory and practice. In this paper, we first provide an overview of the development of connectivity modelling and resistance surfaces. We then discuss several key drivers of animal movement which are absent in resistance-based models, with a focus on spatiotemporal variation, human and interspecies interactions, and other context-dependent effects. We look at a range of empirical studies which highlight the strong impact these effects have on movement and connectivity predictions. But we also provide promising avenues of future research to address this: we discuss newly emerging technologies and interdisciplinary work, and look to developing methodologies, models and conversations which move beyond the limiting framework of landscape resistance, so that connectivity models can better reflect the complexities and richness of animal movement.
... Additional research is also needed on how the distribution of invasive species is associated with the degree of fragmentation and connectivity of the landscape (With 2002). The synergy between spatial patterns of disturbance and the spread of invasives may be especially important in areas of high biodiversity that are undergoing rapid anthropogenic change (Abbitt et al. 2000, Hilty et al. 2006b). In particular, the extent and pattern of exurban and other land use modifications influences the probability of exotic species invasions. ...
... With such tools, the models of connectivity of ecological corridors between habitats were obtained. Their accuracy depended on their integration into the characteristics of landscape, the behavior of certain species [27] and application at an appropriate spatial scale [28]. The most widely used methods for assessing environmental connectivity include the least cost path method (a widely used GIS application), the graph theory, the circuit theory, individual movement models or landscape networks [29]. ...
Recent studies carried out by landscape and urban ecologists have shown that habitat fragmentation has negative environmental effects and is accountable for the loss of biodiversity. The development and extension of road infrastructure to support economic growth, the urbanization and the land-use changes are major drivers of habitat fragmentation. Planners have attempted to develop tools for restoring connectivity and stopping biodiversity loss at the landscape scale and which can be applied at the urban scale, too. The study fills in the gap by developing a methodology for identifying the ecological corridors of a Romanian large carnivore (brown bear) in the Romanian Carpathian Mountains at several spatial scales. The methodology relies on geospatial data; this is equally its most important advantage and challenge. Our findings suggest that the implementation of ecological corridors in current planning practice must be completed cautiously, provided the possible restrictions are imposed on economic activities by plans, and highlight the importance of field data in increasing the scientific soundness of the results. In addition, the findings show the need to interconnect spatial planning policies with environmental policies by improving the actual legislation.
... Protected areas and ecological reserves form the basis of conservation strategies to sustain biodiversity. However, isolated protected areas may not allow wildlife species to disperse in such a way as to be able to maintain their migration habits, to protect genetic and species diversity, to ensure population recovery, and to continue their ecosystem processes (Haddad et al., 2015;Hilty et al., 2012). Wild animals must be able to move between individual resource patches to meet their needs adequately; for this reason, landscape-scale functional connectivity is vital for the persistence of the species in question (Rudnick et al., 2012;Volenec & Dobson, 2020). ...
The Arabian Sand Gazelle (Gazella marica Thomas, 1897) is endemic to the Middle East and its populations in South-eastern Anatolia in Turkey are in danger of extinction. Here, we focus on its protected habitats in the Mesopotamian steppes and examine how to create connectivity between habitats under changing climate conditions. We
use ecological niche modelling for four time periods, as simulated in five General Circulation Models (GCMs), to assess the distributional shifts of G. marica over the decades and predict its future ecological connection effectivity based on a least-cost model. We suggest establishing three potential corridors between core protected areas. The findings indicate that there will be a southward and westward shift in the distribution of the species due to future climate change. Overall, the results of the GCMs suggest that climate change will trigger habitat loss for G. marica. Unless conservation measures take the forecasted changes in habitat into consideration, the extinction of this species will be unavoidable.
... 'Landscape connectivity', commonly defined to be the extent to which a landscape facilitates the movement of individuals or larger groups of organisms [12], is a dynamic phenomenon based on the cumulative movement choices of individuals across space and time. It provides a helpful methodology for mapping the emergent pathways of animal movement, and has grown to become a central focus of spatial ecology and conservation science [13,14]. Modelling connectivity typically requires two components: (1) a 'landscape resistance surface' and (2) an algorithm which uses this resistance surface to predict connectivity [15]. ...
Understanding organism movement is at the heart of many ecological disciplines. The study of landscape connectivity—the extent to which a landscape facilitates organism movement—has grown to become a central focus of spatial ecology and conservation science. Several computational algorithms have been developed to model connectivity; however, the major models in use today are limited by their lack of flexibility and simplistic assumptions of movement behaviour. In this paper, we introduce a new spatially-explicit, individual- and process-based model called Pathwalker, which simulates organism movement and connectivity through heterogeneous landscapes as a function of landscape resistance, the energetic cost of movement, mortality risk, autocorrelation, and directional bias towards a destination, all at multiple spatial scales. We describe the model’s structure and parameters and present statistical evaluations to demonstrate the influence of these parameters on the resulting movement patterns. Written in Python 3, Pathwalker works for any version of Python 3 and is freely available to download online. Pathwalker models movement and connectivity with greater flexibility compared with the dominant connectivity algorithms currently available in conservation science, thereby, enabling more detailed predictions for conservation practice and management. Moreover, Pathwalker provides a highly capable simulation framework for exploring theoretical and methodological questions that cannot be addressed with empirical data alone.
... In this context, theory has been motivated by -and empirical studies have tested -macroorganisms' response to landscape change. To mitigate the negative effects of habitat fragmentation, linear strips of habitat (habitat corridors), series of discontinuous small patches (stepping-stones) and highly permeable landscape matrixes connecting otherwise isolated habitat patches have been proposed as key strategies to increase landscape connectivity (Box 1; Hilty et al. 2006). Connecting habitat patches is assumed to facilitate dispersal (Rosenberg et al. 1997, Beier andNoss 1998), thereby increasing genetic fluxes (Wilson and Willis 1975) and rescuing local populations from extinction (rescue effect; Box 1; Brown and Kodric-Brown 1977, Rosenberg et al. 1997, Beier and Noss 1998. ...
Because of land use changes, a worldwide decrease in biodiversity is underway, mostly driven by habitat degradation and fragmentation. Increasing landscape connectivity (i.e. the degree to which the landscape facilitates movement between habitat patches) has been proposed as a key landscape‐level strategy to counterbalance the negative effects of habitat fragmentation. A robust theoretical and methodological framework has been developed for the concept of connectivity, and an increasing body of empirical evidence supports the relevance of connectivity for biodiversity. However, the framework was built ignoring species that represent the dominant proportion of biodiversity on earth: microorganisms. The extent to which the existing conceptual and methodological frameworks on connectivity can be applied to microorganisms remain unknown. We reviewed existing evidence and analyzed methods to test the influence of connectivity on microorganisms. We included all types of microorganisms, from symbiotic to pathogenic and free‐living microorganisms, across all ecosystems. We describe the effect of connectivity on microorganism populations and communities, and identify the limitations and large gaps in current knowledge. Microorganisms can differ from macroorganisms in their response to connectivity due to short (distance less than a meter) dispersal distance of some groups, longer time lag of microorganisms response (possibly accompanied by evolutionary processes) and host association. The latter relies on tight interactions and feedback effects that drive microbial‐landscape relationships and lead to possible coadaptation processes. Incorporating the connectivity concept in microbial community assembly rules to preserve the diversity of microbial communities and the ecosystem services they provide could be a crucial step forward in the face of pressing global changes.
In ecotourism, we learned in Chaps. 7 and 8, that ecotourists are the mainstay of tourism. This chapter discusses ecotourism attractions as the object of tourism. Tourist attractions are a very important part of tourism resources and mainly provide a feast for tourists to experience in depth. Through the sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell in the personal senses of the ecotourism destination when traveling, you can feel the pleasant feeling brought by the attractions. Among them, the proportion of tourist scenery in vision is as high as 80%. Therefore, this chapter abandons the names of traditional scenic spots, scenic spots, scenic resources, or tourist resources and defines the visual landscape of ecotourism destinations as “attractions.” Its content does not simply focus on tourist spots but covers tourist routes and tourist areas and the structure of the travel network. This chapter mainly constructs tourist attractions based on “The Image of the City” and “Landscape Ecology” theories. Through the planning and design of the attractions, supplemented by tour guides and explanations, visitors can deeply appreciate the composition of the environmental elements in the attractions.
Hindrance in the ecological connectivity and gene transfer in the ecosystem affects numerous animals from large mammals to small invertebrates. For foraging, mating, and dispersal, many animal species need wide-ranging habitats such as ungulates—deer, elk, as well as bears, wolves, mountain lions, elephants and tigers. Their access to suitable habitats might be restricted by fragmented landscapes, which can also block essential movement corridors. Moreover, increased human inhabitants and population shift towards the edge of forests provides animals with very less or no scope of living in the wilderness thereby isolating the population. As a result, ecological connectivity analysis and landscape planning are integral part of one another. This paper gives a scoping review of the modelling techniques used to address the ecological connectivity in a landscape. The literature on existing modelling technique, highlighting its uses, advantages, limitations, and developments, is analysed and summarised in the paper. An exhaustive discussion on modelling techniques such as graph theoretic approaches (least cost path analysis, network analysis, etc.), circuit theoretic approaches, agent-based models and machine learning-based approach is compiled for improved decision-making. This review paper aims to support evidence-based decision-making by synthesising the current state of knowledge, identifying research gaps, and providing insights into future directions for advancing connectivity modelling.
Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) are an endemic ungulate in western North America and occupy rangelands concurrently with domestic livestock. When rangelands are in healthy condition, there is little-to-no competition between pronghorn and domestic livestock. When rangeland health deteriorates, direct competition occurs when both compete for limited resources. Pronghorn are a highly mobile species that cope with challenging environmental conditions (both natural and human-imposed) through daily and seasonal movements to more favorable habitats. Maintaining healthy rangelands and rangeland connectivity will allow pronghorn to move freely and adapt to increased human disturbance. In addition, understanding the cumulative effects and identifying mitigation strategies of deleterious anthropogenic effects (i.e., habitat conversion, linear features, energy development, and climate changes) will help to ensure long-term persistence of pronghorn populations. Mitigation will be critical, in conjunction with expanded research efforts, to help gain a greater knowledge of the role of environmental conditions and anthropogenic disturbances on pronghorn fitness, persistence, and their ability to move across the land in response to an ever-changing landscape.Keywords
Antilocapra americana
ConnectivityHabitatPronghornRangeland management
Context
Local contribution to beta-diversity (LCBD) assesses community composition uniqueness of sites within a region. While it is useful to identify sites with exceptional species composition and, thus, prioritize conservation actions, it is unclear what determines community uniqueness in patchy habitats.
Objectives
The goal of this study was to clarify the processes underlying community uniqueness in fragmented landscapes and understand how habitat characteristics and community characteristics affect this beta-based diversity indicator.
Methods
We simulated neutral metacommunities and used a variance-based method to assess the contribution of each habitat patch to total beta-diversity, both in terms of replacement and abundance difference. Then, we analyzed the effects of patch and metacommunity characteristics on LCBD.
Results
Community uniqueness in species replacement and richness/abundance differences responded differently to community and patch features. Patch quality was the habitat attribute with the strongest effects on all community uniqueness aspects, leading to singular assemblages with high species richness and abundance of rare species. While patch connectivity promoted singular assemblages with high richness, patch size increased community uniqueness in species replacement over time, favoring assemblages with high abundances of rare species.
Conclusions
Community uniqueness in species replacement and richness/abundance differences convey different information and should be considered separately to propose adequate conservation strategies. Habitat quality emerged as a critical factor in shaping beta-diversity, suggesting that it should be a primary focus of conservation efforts. Future studies are needed to evaluate the generality of our results in different spatial and ecological contexts.
Context
In highly fragmented landscapes, arboreal mammals are limited by their ability to move and disperse between core habitats. Connectivity modelling for multiple species allows scientists to identify the most efficient movement and/or dispersal pathway(s) to prioritise for conservation efforts.
Objectives
In this study, we evaluated the most cost-effective corridor pathway for eight species of arboreal mammals, with particular emphasis on an endangered population of greater gliders (Petauroides volans).
Methods
We use species distribution modelling and circuit theory to calculate connectivity in the landscape for each species. An all-species corridor was then modelled using a least cost path analysis. The final corridor was evaluated for all species through ground-truthing accessible segments.
Results
We identified that some segments of the corridor had low suitability for highly specialised species, and those with tree hollow requirements for denning. The all-species corridor also utilised an artificial crossing structure over a highway, and monitoring of this rope bridge found only two species (sugar gliders; Petaurus breviceps and ringtail possums; Pseudocheirus peregrinus) used the structure on occasion. Thus, the modelled corridor pathway was not suitable for all species, rather it was found to be more suitable for generalist species such as sugar gliders, ringtail possums, brown antechinus; Antechinus stuartii and brushtail possums; Trichosurus vulpecula.
Conclusions
Our study exemplifies the importance of ground-truthing in connectivity conservation studies to ensure conservation outcomes are realised. Furthermore, we provide detailed recommendations for relevant conservation managers, to improve the usage of these existing habitat corridors by arboreal species.
Connectivity underpins the persistence of life; it needs to inform biodiversity conservation decisions. Yet, when prioritising conservation areas and developing actions, connectivity is not being operationalised in spatial planning. The challenge is the translation of flows associated with connectivity into conservation objectives that lead to actions. Connectivity is nebulous, it can be abstract and mean different things to different people, making it difficult to include in conservation problems. Here, we show how connectivity can be included in mathematically defining conservation planning objectives. We provide a path forward for linking connectivity to high-level conservation goals, such as increasing species’ persistence. We propose ways to design spatial management areas that gain biodiversity benefit from connectivity.
Invasive rodents are one of the greatest threats to island biodiversity. Eradicating these species from islands has become increasingly practicable in recent decades, primarily using anticoagulant rodenticides. However, this approach also poses risks to native wildlife, and there has been corresponding development in the management of risks to non-target wildlife species. Here we review strategies and tactics used in operational management of non-target risk, using examples from rodent eradication projects conducted on 178 islands where non-target risk assessment and mitigation was a component of the rodent eradication campaign. We identified 17 different tactics within a framework of three strategic approaches: avoidance of risk, minimization of risk, and remediation of the impact of non-target wildlife mortality. We summarize these tactics in terms of their applicability, strengths, and weaknesses for rodent eradication projects in general, plus the potential interactions with achieving rodent eradication. There remains great potential for further innovation in reducing non-target wildlife risks from rodenticide used for invasive rodent eradications on islands, supporting advancement of the social acceptability of the toolset and biodiversity conservation.
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