Advances and challenges in ecological connectivity science

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(9)

Published: Sept. 1, 2024

Maintaining and restoring ecological connectivity will be key in helping to prevent reverse the loss of biodiversity. Fortunately, a growing body research conducted over last few decades has advanced our understanding science, which help inform evidence-based conservation actions. Increases data availability computing capacity have helped dramatically increase ability model functional using more sophisticated models. Keeping track these advances can difficult, even for scientists practitioners. In this article, we highlight some from past decade outline many remaining challenges. We describe efforts biological realism models by, example, isolating movement behaviors, population parameters, directional movements, effects climate change. also discuss considerations when focal or multiple species. Finally, reflect on how account uncertainty transparency reproducibility situations where decisions may require forgoing sophistication simple approaches.

Language: Английский

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Landscape connectivity for African elephants in the world's largest transfrontier conservation area: A collaborative, multi‐scalar assessment

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 61(10), P. 2483 - 2496

Published: Sept. 8, 2024

Abstract Landscape connectivity operates at a variety of scales, depending on the geography area in question and focal species or ecological process under consideration. Most studies, however, are typically focused single scale, which case resistance‐based modelling, is often entire landscape protected (PA) network. This large, single‐scale focus may miss areas that important for smaller scales can be documented via observed animal movements without resorting to landscape‐wide statistical modelling extrapolation approaches. Here, we characterize three different (local/micro, inter‐PA, landscape‐wide/macro), using rather than conventional resistance surface models, produce conservation blueprint African elephants ( Loxodonta africana ) Kavango‐Zambezi transfrontier (KAZA) southern Africa. analysis based an extensive, high‐resolution GPS tracking database comprising approximately 4 million locations from nearly 300 tagged their associated herds. Our results show high‐fidelity elephant use micro‐corridors typically—though not exclusively—related directed towards water, amidst heavy anthropogenic presence. Movement pathways connected KAZA's core were longer variable, with some channelled into narrow others more dispersed across larger sub‐landscapes. At largest network incorporating all used grid cells revealed several clusters large‐scale movement corridors distant parts KAZA. Synthesis applications : analyses reveal disparate geographical priorities collectively could help ensure functional KAZA its inhabitants. Each scale will require own set inter‐related interventions, while further research sparse data collection, other concern, additional each scale.

Language: Английский

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Long‐Distance Corridors Facilitate Asian Elephant Adaptation to Climate Change

Integrative Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 10, 2025

ABSTRACT Amid ongoing habitat degradation and fragmentation, along with the disruption of traditional moving routes, Kunming‐Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework underscores urgent need to enhance species connectivity improve their adaptability climate change. Recent instances long‐distance movements by Asian elephants ( Elephas maximus ) have raised concerns about potential for such events become more frequent under future scenarios. A landscape adaptation strategy is urgently needed integrity elephant habitats meet movement requirements. However, large‐scale ecological networks that incorporate corridors remain lacking. This study employs distribution models minimum resistance construct current multi‐scenario networks, aiming elucidate key features priority corridor strategies elephants. Our findings indicate identified scenarios play an integral part in maintaining within network. The identifies 162 corridors, accounting 25.5% overall network, whose lengths importance are expected increase. Additionally, 37.2% these pass through protected areas, providing guidance optimizing existing reserves addressing conservation gaps cover 61.2% area. highlights fully consider uncertainties dynamic spatiotemporal changes. It emphasizes global significance macro‐scale network design critical role constructing corridors. Furthermore, integration areas as a measure address achieve lasting biodiversity conservation.

Language: Английский

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Bringing circuit theory into spatial occupancy models to assess landscape connectivity

Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(11), P. 2141 - 2152

Published: Sept. 23, 2024

Abstract Occupancy models were originally developed to better understand species distribution while accounting for imperfect detection. Because is not only shaped by habitat quality but also the ability of individuals reach suitable habitats, spatial dynamic occupancy have been proposed extend original framework defining that site colonisation was a function Euclidean distance occupied sites. However, all sites in landscape are equally accessible due presence barriers, corridors, etc. To account connectivity between sites, has recently replaced least‐cost path distance, which explicitly accounts resistance, assumes will follow optimal route. relax this assumption, we first new model incorporates commute‐time derived from circuit theory accessibility across This advantage modelling movement as random walk and fact could be achieved multiple paths. Our approach allows explicit estimation detection/non‐detection data direct measure uncertainty. We implemented Bayesian using nimble R package, useful functions called within model. Second, carried out simulation study assess performance our considering four scenarios depicting an increasing level resistance. Third, illustrate approach, studied recolonisation two carnivores France. quantified degree rivers facilitate Eurasian otter ( Lutra lutra ) highways impede lynx Lynx colonisation. Overall, provide flexible accommodate any metric designed align with dispersal ecology.

Language: Английский

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Towards robust corridors: a validation framework to improve corridor modeling

Landscape Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 39(10)

Published: Sept. 16, 2024

Language: Английский

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Habitat Connectivity and Ecological Corridors for Biodiversity Conservation

Elsevier eBooks, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Integrating habitat suitability modeling with gene flow improves delineation of landscape connections among African savanna elephants

Biodiversity and Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 33(11), P. 3231 - 3252

Published: July 20, 2024

Language: Английский

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A comprehensive framework to assess multi‐species landscape connectivity

Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 31, 2024

Abstract Due to the central role of landscape connectivity in many ecological processes, evaluating and accounting for it has gained attention both theoretical applied sciences. To address this challenge, researchers often use generic species simplify multi‐species assessments. Yet, approach tends oversimplify movement behaviour, likely reducing realism precision model outputs. Also, most widely used methods theories assessing connectivity, namely circuit network theories, have strong limitations. Finally, uncertainty or robustness estimates are rarely integrated Here, we propose a versatile framework, which, instead using arbitrary defined species, first identifies groups based on species' environmental niches morphological, biological, traits. Second, combines take best two assess those groups, while integrating uncertainties modelling choices. Specifically, continuities (i.e. elements contributing connectivity) calculated these together with group dispersal capacities derive network‐based metrics conservation areas. We detailed our framework through case study where 1619 protected areas metropolitan France 193 vertebrate species. Our revealed that protection 11 mammal 19 bird respectively, were quite low, variations among groups. Different types national parks, reserves prefectural orders) contributed unequally overall group‐specific suitable habitats. Considering propagation was crucial, as varied repetitions. The proposed different tools provide more relevant comprehensive assessment connectivity. It can be inform decision‐making process spatial planning, particularly context management, support studies better understand Its flexibility allows easy application under various conditions, including future scenarios.

Language: Английский

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A rapid assessment methodology for quantifying and visualizing functional landscape connectivity

Frontiers in Conservation Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 5

Published: July 4, 2024

The number of publications that evaluate or use landscape connectivity has grown dramatically in recent years. But the biological realism common assessments remains limited. To address this shortcoming, I introduce a flexible methodology for evaluating functional can be quick to implement, biologically nuanced, and straightforward interpret.

Language: Английский

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Bridging climate refuges for climate change adaptation: A spatio-temporal connectivity network approach

Geography and sustainability, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Sept. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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